@ MISSOURI
OVER OR UNDER
81
The Gators’
defense, led by
lineman JABARI
ZUNIGA, took a big
step forward last
season, ranking
20th in the country
in points allowed
after finishing 69th
in 2017. Defensive
coordinator Todd
Grantham’s frantic
3–4 unit relies on
players who can
shift into different
roles depending
on the situation: a
hybrid LB/DE and,
just as importantly,
a nickel safety who
can cover the slot
receiver and also
fend off blockers to
stuff the RB. Last
season Chauncey
Gardner-Johnson,
now in the NFL,
excelled at nickel
safety; taking over
is sophomore Trey
Dean, who started
at CB last year
but will take on
Gardner-Johnson’s
role. He has the size
(6' 3", 194 pounds)
and speed to turn
a good defense into
a great one.
X-FACTOR
THE BIG STORY When he arrived
on campus three years ago,
Feleipe Franks was the nation’s
top-ranked dual-threat high school
QB, a 6' 6" gunslinger who was
going to lead the Gators back to
prominence. Franks struggled in
his first season at the helm and
was off to a rocky start last year
as he was booed off the home field
and benched during a November
game against Missouri. Down the
stretch, however, the signs were
promising, as Franks led the Gators
to four wins in their final four
games. Florida fans have waited
three years for Franks to live up to
expectations. It’s now or never.
CAN’T MISS Franks will have
one of the SEC’s top
receiving units at his disposal,
including wideout Van Jefferson,
who opted to return for his senior
year. After transferring prior to
last season, Jefferson immediately
became Florida’s top big-play
threat, leading the Gators in
receptions (35), yards (503) and
touchdowns (six) last season.
KEY QUESTION Will the
offensive line—the most
unproven unit in Gainesville—be
able to protect Franks and create
holes for senior RB LAMICAL
PERINE? The Gators lost four
starters from last season and
will field a unit with no player who
has made more than two
career starts.
KEY MATCHUP
BIGGEST GAME
SI RANKING
AUG. 24
MIAMI
SEPT. 7
UT MARTIN
SEPT. 14
@ KENTUCKY
SEPT. 21
TENNESSEE
SEPT. 28
TOWSON
OCT. 5
AUBURN (17)
OCT. 12
@ LSU (8)
OCT. 19
@ SOUTH CAROLINA
NOV. 2
GEORGIA (3)
NOV. 9
VANDERBILT
FLORIDA STATE
THE RUNDOWN
3
6
9
12
15
10
–^4
9 –
4
4 –
7
10
–^3
9 –
3
WINS
Mullen’s promise of a
national championship
will wait another year, but
the Gators are building a
perennial playoff contender
in Gainesville. Getting
there will require a star
YEAR 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019* turn from Franks.
*SI PROJECTION
5 -YEAR TREND
9.5
Beyond the tough
conference schedule,
the Gators also have two in-state
nonconference clashes against
what should be improved Miami and
Florida State teams. The Gators
might be better—but reaching
10 wins again seems unlikely.
2019
SCHEDULE
Florida
FRO
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ICH
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L^ W
AD
E/I
CO
N^ S
PO
RTS
WIR
E/G
ETT
Y^ IM
AG
ES;
LA
UR
A^ H
EAL
D
10
