Ah, Season Record Prediction--favorable?

These are from ESPN and are winning percentages for each game. I may be surprised, but I think week one is way off, as in 50/50. Several are in the 50 to 60 percentages which could go either way. What do you think? If we win the games where we have a slight edge, we go 8-4. I believe that is best case scenario, and several games will be close and could go either way. Personally, I will not be surprised if the scores are close, although I don't expect the score will be close against GA & LSU.

Week 1 @ Utah – 29.7%
Week 2 vs McNeese – 99%
Week 3 vs Tennessee – 51.7%
Week 4 vs Charlotte – 96.3%
Week 5 @ Kentucky – 48.4%
Week 6 vs Vanderbilt – 90.4%
Week 7 @ South Carolina – 58.9%
Week 9 vs Georgia – 13.8%
Week 10 vs Arkansas – 66.2%
Week 11 @ LSU – 18.5%
Week 12 @ Missouri – 58.1%
Week 13 vs FSU– 50.3%

 

Utah has a good number of starters returning on offense and defense. They get the love because of their 10-3 record last year. I think many expect Rising to be ready for the home opener. His knee will still be tender, perhaps even gimpy. He probably won't know until he gets pressure, what he will do; and the risk is that if he takes a misstep, he could re-injure his knee. If he plays, and that's a big if, his OL will have to give him superb protection. If they do that, he, of course, could affect the outcome of the game. Part of it, too, is the Gators have back-to-back years of abysmal play on both sides of the ball. So, it's more disrespect for the Gators, plus a Ute home game. I don't expect Florida, however, will get crushed. On the contrary, I expect Florida will play a very competitive game, even if Rising starts. My two cents.

 

I felt somewhat similarly. I think the percentages are about right, in some cases, and off on others. Vandy and Carolina are too high, and Kentucky is way off. The Kentucky game is at Kroger field, so that will probably be a grind-it-out close contest. I expect we will give Georgia hay but lose a close one. I think LSU creams us, but that will depend on Mertz. If he's exceeding expectations, the season will get extremely interesting! If he plays his typical, former, self, we could lose a bunch. If I'm cussing a ton at my TV, that will be a bad omen! So, how much I cuss will ultimately determine the season!!!

 

AND STAY ON FIRE!!! I'd prefer to cuss less, and hardly at all would mean we are firing on all cylinders!!!

 

And, anything around 50% could not go into the win column as well! Unfortunately, the Gators have a really good roster with questions about the OL and QB. If the offense is vanilla, GN will be wanting the season to end quickly. However, most are predicting not red hot or vanilla, but something in between. Mertz (I fully expect Mertz to be the guy, and if he loses the starting job that won't bode well) will have to play consistently and make real good throws to shock everyone. If he can average a 50% completion rate, the Gators could have a better than average season. I expect the defense will keep us in most games. If the offense cannot stay on the field, make first downs, and score points, we will have some painful losses. Best case is probably 8-4; worst case 6-6. So, can we live with a 7-5? We have five away games and six home games, plus Jax (see schedule below). That means we either have to win all of our home games or win some road games to make up for it. I just don't see this being easy! Vandy almost always plays us well as does Kentucky. UT and FSU are not locks. So, here's my point, we have to bring back the Gatorbait chant (sorry, I had to end this diatribe)!

University of Utah
Sep 2 (Sat) at Salt Lake City, Utah

McNeese State University
Sep 9 (Sat) vs McNeese State Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

University of Tennessee
Sep 16 (Sat) Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Charlotte Logo Sep 23 (Sat) TBA vs Charlotte
Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

University of Kentucky
Sep 30 (Sat) at Lexington, Ky.

Vanderbilt University
Oct 7 (Sat)
SEC Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

University of South Carolina
Oct 14 (Sat) at Columbia, S.C.

University of Georgia
Oct 28 (Sat) Georgia Jacksonville, Fla.

University of Arkansas
Nov 4 (Sat) vs Arkansas Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Louisiana State University
Nov 11 (Sat) at LSU Baton Rouge, La.

Missouri Tigers
Nov 18 (Sat) at Columbia, Mo.

Nov 25 (Sat) vs Free Shoes University, Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin