NCAA Football Florida GatorsSEC Football

Florida Football 2014: Game-by-Game Predictions for the Gators

Florida Gators: Game-by-Game Predictions for 2014

Florida Football 2014
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Things are looking up for the Florida Gators entering the 2014-15 college football season. An appearance in the first College Football Playoff probably is not in store for the team this year, but the Gators will not be too far off. With a brutal schedule, new offensive coordinator and Will Muschamp’s job on the line, it should be an interesting season to say the least.

Read on to see game-by-game predictions for Florida football in 2014.

Aug. 30: Idaho

Florida Football 2014
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Aug. 30: Idaho

Florida Football 2014
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

They call them tuneup games for a reason. Idaho stands no chance against this talented Florida team. Regardless, it will be nice seeing QB Jeff Driskel going off in his first game back since his season-ending injury in 2013.

Florida wins (1-0)

Sept. 6: Eastern Michigan

Florida football 2014
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 6: Eastern Michigan

Florida football 2014
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Yet another tuneup game for Florida. Between Eastern Michigan and Idaho, the two teams won a combined three games last season. The Gators only won four (first losing season since 1979), but they also play in the SEC. Florida’s defense will show no mercy in this one, and the team will likely put up a bunch of points.

Florida wins (2-0)

Sept. 13: Kentucky

Florida football 2014
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 13: Kentucky

Florida football 2014
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Here is where the competition starts to pick up. The only problem is the fact that Florida has beaten Kentucky 27 times in a row. Oh yeah, the Wildcats also lost 10 games last year — not a single victory in the SEC. But hey, it’s the first SEC game of the season for the Gators, so they will be looking to get off to a solid start.

Florida wins (3-0)

Sept. 20: @Alabama

Florida football 2014
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 20: @Alabama

Florida football 2014
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

I wish I could say the tide is turning (pun totally intended) on Alabama, but Nick Saban is too good of a recruiter. The Crimson Tide are better than Florida. It is really that simple. It doesn’t help the Gators’ cause that this game will be played in Tuscaloosa. Alabama will have a new quarterback this season, but a strong running game and amazing defense will be hard for Florida to beat.

Florida loses (3-1)

Oct. 4: @Tennessee

Florida football 2014
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Oct. 4: @Tennessee

Florida football 2014
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee has hope with head coach Butch Jones, but the upset isn’t happening this year. There’s always next year, if Volunteer fans are into that kind of thing. This game will be played on the road for the Gators, so that doesn’t mean this won’t be a close battle.

Florida wins (4-1)

Oct. 11: LSU

Florida football 2014
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Oct. 11: LSU

Florida football 2014
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Florida will start its toughest three-game slate of the year by taking on the LSU Tigers. If the Gators can come out of this three-game streak with two wins, that would be a huge victory. As for the contest against the Tigers, Florida always seems to play them tough and by this game Jeff Driskel and the rest of the offense should be in rhythm. The Gators win by less than a touchdown in this one.

Florida wins (5-1)

Oct. 18: Missouri

Florida football 2014
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Oct. 18: Missouri

Florida football 2014
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off of a victory against LSU, you would think Florida would have no problem against Missouri. After all, the Gators get Missouri at home and it barely cracks the top 25 entering the season. However, a brutal battle with LSU, that ended with a victory, will leave the Gators banged up entering this matchup.

Florida loses (5-2)

Nov. 1: Georgia (neutral field)

Florida football 2014
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 1: Georgia (neutral field)

Florida football 2014
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is played at a neutral field, and Georgia loses a lot, but it still has a lot. Senior QB Hutson Mason is more than capable of taking over the offense, RB Todd Gurley is a Heisman candidate entering 2014 and Georgia is predicted to be better than Florida (ranked as high as No. 12). Florida will play the Dawgs tough, but not tough enough.

Florida loses (5-3)

Nov. 8: @Vanderbilt

Florida football 2014
Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 8: @Vanderbilt

Florida football 2014
Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt finally beat Florida at home last year. Expect the Gators to return the favor in 2014. At this point in the season, Florida should be clicking on all cylinders. Offense taking a big step in the right direction this season or not, the Gator D will be too much for the Commodores to handle.

Florida wins (6-3)

Nov. 15: South Carolina

South Carolina Football
Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 15: South Carolina

South Carolina Football
Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina has Florida’s Ol’ Ball Coach and is coming off of a much better season (11-2 last year). This will not be an easy victory — Gamecocks could realistically win the SEC — but upsets happen in college football. Plus, this one is played at the Swamp.

Florida wins (7-3)

Nov. 22: Eastern Kentucky

Florida football 2014
Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 22: Eastern Kentucky

Florida football 2014
Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

Do we really need to discuss anything here? Just in case if there was any doubt, the Colonels finished 6-6 last season. Not to mention, Florida will be the heavy favorite in this one.

Florida wins (8-3)

Nov. 29: @Florida State

Florida State football 2014
Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 29: @Florida State

Florida State football 2014
Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State brings back Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston along with a team talented enough to repeat. This is Florida vs. Florida State we are talking about, though, so the game could be a lot closer than the rankings would suggest. Still, the Seminoles have one of the most complete teams in the country.

Florida loses (8-4)

Share Tweet