USA TODAY Sports has released its preseason SEC preview, including record predictions for each squad, projected divisional standings and preseason all-conference list.
The Gators are projected to finish just shy of the SEC Championship once again, as Georgia is the favorite to win the SEC East. UF is predicted to finish one game shy of the Bulldogs at 8-2.
Here is USA TODAY Sports’ full-season outlook for Florida.
The two biggest games on Florida’s schedule: Texas A&M on Oct. 10, for the chance to set a tone in the Gators’ first game against a ranked opponent, and Georgia on Nov. 7, due to the obvious importance to the East division race. A win in either or both matchups would reverse recent history. Florida has dropped three in a row to Georgia and went 1-7 against A&M coach Jimbo Fisher during his stint at rival Florida State.
The Gators have two players listed on the preseason All-Conference list: quarterback Kyle Trask and tight end Kyle Pitts. Both had strong seasons last year, and they’re each now seeing some preseason attention as some expect them to be early-round picks in 2021.
While managing a difficult 10-game conference schedule with only two losses would still be an impressive feat, it would likely be disappointing to UF fans if it means missing out on a trip to Atlanta.
These are the full preseason projected standings, as well as the full All-Conference list.
SEC East
1 (3). Georgia: 9-1 (9-1)
2 (6). Florida: 8-2 (8-2)
3 (18). Tennessee: 6-4 (6-4)
4 (26). Kentucky: 5-5 (5-5)
5 (53). South Carolina: 3-7 (3-7)
6 (59). Missouri: 3-7 (3-7)
7 (72). Vanderbilt: 1-9 (1-9)
SEC West
1 (2). Alabama: 9-1 (9-1)
2 (7). LSU: 7-3 (7-3)
3 (14). Texas A&M: 7-3 (7-3)
4 (15). Auburn: 6-4 (6-4)
5 (37). Ole Miss: 3-7 (3-7)
6 (51). Mississippi State: 3-7 (3-7)
7 (74). Arkansas: 0-10 (0-10)
ALL-CONFERENCE
The preseason all-conference team includes players who have opted out of playing this season due to COVID-19.
QB: Kyle Trask, Florida
RB: Najee Harris, Alabama
RB: Kylin Hill, Mississippi State
WR: Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
WR: DeVonta Smith, Alabama
TE: Kyle Pitts, Florida
OL: Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
OL: Trey Smith, Tennessee
OL: Drake Jackson, Kentucky
OL: Landon Dickerson, Alabama
OL: Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
DL: Big Kat Bryant, Auburn
DL: Bobby Brown, Texas A&M
DL: Tyler Shelvin, LSU
DL: LaBryan Ray, Alabama
LB: Jabrill Cox, LSU
LB: Dylan Moses, Alabama
LB: Nick Bolton, Missouri
CB: Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
CB: Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
S: Richard LeCounte, Georgia
S: JaCoby Stevens, LSU
K: Brent Cimaglia, Tennessee
P: Max Duffy, Kentucky
RET: Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
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