ESPN Analyst Names Most Overrated Team In AP Poll
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators walks off the field before the start of their game against the Idaho Vandals at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Fresh off a 10-win season, Florida enters the 2019 campaign with high expectations. The Gators are ranked in the top 10 of the AP poll and are projected to be Georgia's main competition in the SEC East.
Not everyone is buying stock in UF though. In fact, one ESPN analyst thinks they are the most overrated team in the preseason AP rankings.
In an appearance on "College Football Live" Monday night, Dusty Dvoracek predicted "three, if not four" losses for Florida this season.
“I just look at this: They lost a lot on their offensive line,” he said. “Their offensive line was so good. They had a good running game and they kept Feleipe Franks protected. They’re not going to be able to do that this year. When I look at this schedule, you have to go to LSU — I’m not even talking about Miami. I’m going to give them a win (against Miami). You have to go to LSU. You have to play Georgia, who I think is a better team than you. You have to go to Missouri at the end of the season. I just think that’s going to be too tall of an order. I have three, if not four, losses for the Gators. I just think, in year No. 2 for Dan Mullen, they’re going to take a step back.”
Looking at Florida's schedule, there's a good chance their season will be defined by a four-game stretch mid-year. From October 5 through November 2, they play Auburn, LSU, South Carolina and Georgia, with the LSU and South Carolina games on the road.
If the Gators win three of those four, double-digit regular season wins is attainable. If they split the four or worse, they could be on their way to the four losses Dvoracek thinks are possible.
Florida will open its 2019 season against Miami on Saturday.
