Florida college football predictions!
Here they are, my college football predictions for the state of Florida. (Sure to go wrong, of course)
The University of Florida Gators 12-0 (8-0 SEC)
Although it is extremely tough to go undefeated in the mighty SEC, I just can’t envision Tebow and Florida losing to anyone on their schedule. The two games that worry me are against LSU in Baton Rouge and versus Georgia in Jacksonville. While both games will test the Gators, I think they will prevail, go undefeated for the first time in their history, and become back to back National Champions.
Florida State University Seminoles 8-4 (6-2 ACC)
8-4 could be a stretch in Tallahassee, considering the ‘Noles wound up with the second most difficult schedule in the nation. They have games at BYU, Boston College, up and coming North Carolina, Clemson, Wake Forest, and Florida. Brutal! I have the ‘Noles losing three of those games, (BYU, Clemson, and Florida) and the 4th loss home against Georgia Tech. Even with this schedule, and a depleted receiving corps, I still see the Seminoles in contention for the ACC.
Florida Atlantic University Owls 8-4 (6-2 Sun Belt)
Many experts and magazines are calling for the Owls to finish 3rd in the ‘Belt, behind Troy and Arkansas State. I call for the Owls to compete with Troy for the Title, with Arkansas State ending up in third place, maybe even 4th. FAU brings back one of the most explosive, experienced offenses in the country. With FIU, MTSU, and North Texas on the rise, this should be an interesting season in the SunBelt. I have FAU losing at UAB in a revenge game for the Blazers, at Troy, Nebraska, and South Carolina. Look for the Owls to be in their 3rd straight bowl game.
University of South Florida Bulls 8-4 (4-3 Big East)
This is by far the hardest of the group to predict, considering the Big East has been the most unpredictable conference in the country, as of late. This is a year that the Bulls can really prove their worth in the state of Florida, since they take on traditional in-state powers FSU, and Miami. They should contend with Pitt and Rutgers for the Big East title, but since it’s USF, who the hell knows? I have their losses to FSU in Tallahassee, Cincinnati, at Pittsburgh, and at Rutgers. IF they can dig deep and find a way to beat Pitt and Rutgers, USF will win the Big East, but that is a HUGE if.
University of Central Florida Knights 6-6 (5-3 Conference USA)
Welcome to the wild roller-coaster ride that is UCF football! UCF has alternated winning and losing seasons the past 5 years under George O’Leary, and it appears it will be no different this year. I have them losing at Southern Miss, Buffalo, at East Carolina, Miami, at Texas, and in Birmingham against a much-improved UAB squad. UCF Boasts one of the best defenses in Conference USA, as well as a much-improved offense. If they can find a way to beat East Carolina, or
Southern Miss, they may have a shot at taking the Conference USA East.
University of Miami Hurricanes: 6-6 (4-4 ACC)
This COULD have been a good year for the young ‘canes, if it weren’t for the first 4 games. It may not be as brutal as FSU’s second-ranked schedule difficulty, but you be the judge. They open the season in Tallahassee against the ‘Noles, come back 2 weeks later to face the Georgia Tech team that posted 472 rushing yards against them last year, (and oh, yeah. There running back Jonathan Dwyer ? He’s bigger and stronger than last year) then travel to Blacksburg to play Virginia Tech , and then get the Oklahoma Sooners’ and Heisman winner Sam Bradford at home October 3rd. I have them going 0-4 in that stretch, and losing to USF and Clemson later in the season. If they can pull an upset against Virginia Tech or Georgia Tech, they may contend for the Coastal Division of the ACC.
Florida International University Panthers 6-6 (4-4 Sun Belt)
Once the laughingstock of the state of Florida, FIU is improving each year under head coach Mario Cristobal. With 10 of 11 players on offense returning, including Paul McCall at QB, and T.Y Hilton at Wide Receiver, the Panthers could easily have their first non-losing season in SunBelt play. Teams 2-6 in the ‘Belt are extremely close talent-wise, and with a few breaks, FIU could be a contender. I have their losses at Alabama, at Rutgers,in Miami against Troy, at MTSU, at Florida, and at home (or LandShark Stadium) against FAU in the “Shula Bowl.” FIU recruits very well, and can be scary in the future.
What do you think?
The game that worries me most about the Gators’ schedule is at Mississippi State. Mississippi schools, especially on the road, have always been our kryptonite. If we can get past them though, we’re primed for an undefeated season. Even if we don’t, as long as it isn’t a bad loss, we should still be good for a BCS title slot if we can win the SEC title game.
Otherwise, I can’t disagree with you on any of your predictions.
Dave
July 19, 2009 at 8:27 pm
I guess it doesn’t help the Gators that Dan Mullen is the head coach either…
coach2626
July 20, 2009 at 12:06 am
I can’t disagree with your prediction of the gators repeating but I can’t see them going undefeated in the SEC. Everything else seems on point.
Phil
July 21, 2009 at 11:36 am
There is definitely a possibility, just like every year, that an SEC (especially SEC West) team will knock off the Gators. But should the Gators beat everyone on their schedule? On paper they absolutely should. That’s why the games are played and why predictions are fun and sure to go wrong!
coach2626
July 22, 2009 at 3:09 pm