Florida Gators 2019 College Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Florida Gators 2019 College Football Preview

2018 Recap

Record – 10-3

ATS – 9-4

That’s better.

The Gators rebounded nicely from a horrifying four-win campaign to bag ten wins in the first year of the Dan Mullen experience. They were upset in week two by Kentucky but won the next five games, and that included a win over LSU in the SWAMP. They lost all realistic chance of winning the SEC East once they fell to Georgia (L 36-17) but finished really strong winning their final three games by a combined score of 145-39 (!). That included an 88,888 STAR MEGALOCKS QUADRUPLE DIAMOND LOCK CLUB winner in the Peach Bowl when they MASSACRED the Wolverines (W 41-15) as seven-point underdogs.

Is it possible for the Gators to take down the SEC East?

2019 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

East Division – #2

SEC – #5

Florida Gators 2019 Outlook

OFFENSE

After barfing all over themselves for three seasons (22.1, 23.9, 23.2 PPG) the Gators came out of their shell and started taking it to opposing defenses. They tallied 35.0 PPG (#5 SEC) and averaged 213 YPG on the ground and 214 YPG in the THROW GAME. We like QB Feleipe Franks (especially when he is being tutored by Dan Mullen) and note that he had a fine 24-6 TD to INT mark LY whilst rushing for 7 TDs in his spare time. There’s still improvement to be made, but Franks is only a junior.

There are plenty of targets for Franks to work with as the Gators return their top-seven (!) pass-catchers from a season ago. They have nice size and enough speed to torture opposing defenses. The RB unit is deep and will be one of the best in the SEC, even with the departure of Jordan Scarlett (776, 5.9, 5 TD LY). We would automatically call for the Gators to book another 200 YPG rushing campaign BUT the offensive line is a bit of a worry. They return just one starter to the mix and it remains to be seen if they can be COACHED UP and be good enough to compete against the better defenses in the SEC.

The weapons are here, but we project a decrease in scoring output given the inexperience on the offensive line.

DEFENSE

Yes, guy.

The Gators yielded 20 PPG LY (#6 SEC) and improved by over a TD per game. This year’s stop unit has the potential to resemble the old school Gators’ defenses that sucked the life out of opposing offenses. Eight starters return as well as thirteen of their top seventeen tacklers from a season ago. The DL returns all three starters including senior DE Jabari Zuniga (11 TFL, 4 QBH LY) and will be stout vs the run. The secondary should prove to be one of the best in college football as they return a ton of experience and boast all-Universe CB CJ Henderson. Florida had a fine 16-14 TD to INT ratio whilst allowing just 54% completions in 2018 (#3 SEC pass efficiency defense). They should be nastier this year. The only concern on defense is a LB group that loses #1 tackler Vosean Joseph and pass-rushing specialist Jachai Polite (11 sacks LY). Both men are off to the NFL.

If the Gators can cobble together a pass rush similar to what we witnessed in 2018 (37 sacks, T5 SEC) we project the Gators to allow fewer than 20 PPG.

SPECIAL TEAMS

BOOM. The Gators look to be in great shape, particularly in the kicking game where they return PK Evan McPherson (17/19 FG LY) and senior punter Tommy Townsend (39.8 yard net LY). PR Freddie Swain is a dangerous PR (10.2, TD LY).

Schedule Analysis

Overall – The opener will be interesting (August 24) as they take on YOUR Miami Hurricanes in Orlando. They face Auburn and LSU out of the SEC West and have a tough four-week stretch mid-season when they play three consecutive games away from home (LSU, South Carolina, Georgia). The have a pair of FCS foes (UT Martin, Towson) in September to help soften the blow.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at South Carolina (October 19)

The players will just be getting out of their ICE BATHS after facing LSU when they step on the field to take on South Carolina in Columbia.

Season Win Total

Over 9 +140

Under 9 -160

MEGALOCKS says:

Slight lean to the ‘over’ as we get close to press time. The road trip to LSU and the big game with Georgia are going to be tough BUT we can see them getting through the rest of the docket without too many scares.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

The Gators have won three national titles since 1996 and outscored their opponents in the championship games by a combined score of 117-48 (Florida St, Ohio St, Oklahoma).

It seems unfathomable, but Florida’s last SEC title came back in 2008.

MEGALOCKS ATS Outlook: Neutral

PLEASE. Mr Calendar. Flip to November 2nd PRONTO so we can watch Florida take on Georgia. Thanks in advance!

We like the look of the Gators quite a bit. The defense will be great, but is the offense going to be good enough to help them win the SEC East? Our SEC EAST INSIDERS will tell you that Florida has a great shot of winning the division if they can average close to the 35 PPG that they posted in 2018. We just aren’t sure if that’s a reasonable expectation.

Florida has booked a 62-64-2 ATS mark over the past ten years, but they did a good job last year finishing up with a 9-4 mark vs Vegas. It’s going to be tough to find value with these guys as they are considered by many to be the clear second-best team in the SEC East behind Georgia. We recommend picking your spots with these guys when crafting your weekly wagering cards.

Chomp, chomp!

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