Coach Dan Mullen has led the Florida Gators to New 12 months’s Six bowl video games in every of his first two years in Gainesville. What is the subsequent step? Successful the SEC East title and a visit to the SEC Championship Recreation — a sport that the Gators have not performed in since 2016.

Mullen has a longtime quarterback in senior Kyle Trask again after he stepped in for Feleipe Franks early final season and caught fireplace through the last two months en path to an Orange Bowl berth. However there are questions all through the roster. Offensive weapons and defensive position depth are two areas that have to be shored up through the offseason earlier than issues get cranked up within the fall.

Do the Gators have sufficient to unseat Georgia as the category of the SEC East? Let’s break down their 2020 outlook.

2019 rewind

Ultimate rating: No. 6 within the CBS Sports activities 130 | Achievements: 11-2, received 36-28 over Virginia within the Orange Bowl

That is the primary offseason that Trask has occupied the highest spot on a depth chart ever — highschool included. Due to that, it is truthful to imagine that he’ll take an enormous step ahead alongside Mullen, who’s a famend offensive wizard. How a lot will he must do, although? Defensive attrition — together with the lack of star defensive lineman Jon Greenard and cornerback C.J. Henderson — has put stress on coordinator Todd Grantham’s protection.

Key departures

DE: Jon Greenard: The ultra-versatile star posted 52 tackles, 15.5 for a loss and 9.5 sacks in his last season of college football.

DB: C.J. Henderson: The star cornerback had 11 cross breakups, jumped to the NFL one yr early and was the ninth total choose by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

RB La’mical Perine: The Gators’ main rusher from final season had 132 carries for 676 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Three skilled extensive receivers: Van Jefferson, Freddie Swain and Tyrie Cleveland have been three of the Gators’ 5 main receivers in 2019. All three have been chosen within the 2020 NFL Draft.

Who’s again?

QB Kyle Trask: The rising senior stepped in for an injured Franks and threw for two,941 yards, 25 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. It was Florida’s best season from a quarterback since Tim Tebow’s last season in 2009.

TE Kyle Pitts: The 6-foot-6, 239-pound junior established himself as one the nation’s high tight ends final season with 54 catches for 649 yards and 5 touchdowns.

WR Trevon Grimes: The senior had 33 catches for 491 yards and three touchdowns in his second season with the Gators after transferring from Ohio State.

DB Marco Wilson: Wilson had three interceptions and 36 tackles final season after lacking a lot of the 2018 season.

LB Ventrell Miller: The 6-foot, 222-pound junior is the Gators’ main returning tackler after notching 55 final season.

Contemporary faces

OL Stewart Reese: The brother of former Gators linebacker David Reese II performed in 37 video games in 4 seasons at Mississippi State earlier than coming to Florida as a graduate switch. The versatile offensive lineman began at proper sort out and guard throughout his profession in Starkville.

DE Brenton Cox: The previous Georgia edge rusher had 20 tackles for the Bulldogs in 2018. He’ll get loads of probabilities for enjoying time after sitting out final season resulting from NCAA switch guidelines.

Pouncey brothers: Vast receiver Jordan Pouncey will want a waiver to play instantly. His youthful brother, cornerback Ethan Pouncey, was the third-highest ranked participant in Florida’s 2020 signing class.

Important video games

Week four at Tennessee — Sept. 26: The journey to Rocky High can be a key early-season check towards a Tennessee crew that has loads of expertise and is driving a six-game profitable streak heading into the season.

Week 6 vs. LSU — Oct. 10: Two weeks after the Tennessee sport, the Gators host the defending nationwide champions in an enormous revenge sport from final season. Which crew can have crammed extra roster holes by mid-season?

Week 9 vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville) — Oct. 31: A Halloween version of the River Metropolis Showdown might be one of the vital video games of all the faculty soccer season, and doubtlessly a de facto SEC East Championship Recreation.

2020 outlook

Mullen’s first two seasons main this system have set the inspiration. It is time to reap the rewards. Something aside from an SEC East title needs to be thought of a disappointment. Trask returns as one in all — if not “the” — finest quarterback in a convention that can be going by means of a large signal-caller overhaul. The schedule units up nicely for the reason that Gators draw Ole Miss as their cross-division opponent, whereas three-time defending division champion Georgia has to go to Alabama in Week 3. The protection goes to have a special look, however Grantham has confirmed throughout his first two seasons that he can construct aggressive items that emphasize the strengths of his finest gamers. Gators followers, begin reserving these resort rooms in Atlanta for the primary weekend in December. You would possibly wish to make them refundable, however higher secure than sorry.