Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
The Florida Gators have taken a backseat in the SEC to teams like the Georgia Bulldogs, the Alabama Crimson Tide and the South Carolina Gamecocks over the past few seasons. They could change all of that this season. However, it all comes down to the success of quarterback Jeff Driskel.
Driskel didn’t have the season at Florida that many expected him to have in 2012. He’s a talented player on an extremely talented team that just couldn’t get it going down the stretch. The two interceptions thrown in the Sugar Bowl BCS game against Louisville – one of which led to their first touchdown – were the reasons that Florida lost the game. He cannot have that kind of performance during big games in 2013.
The Gators can win the SEC through their run game and their defense, but they need Driskel to step up and make big plays occasionally. The best teams in the SEC (Alabama and Georgia) all focus on their defense and running game, but when it comes down to it, their quarterbacks can put up ridiculous numbers and save them from defeat. Driskel just hasn’t shown he is capable of doing that so far.
Driskel has to step up this season. Florida is too good of a recruiting school, and if he does not start producing and leading the Gators to wins, he might find himself on the bench midway through the season. That being said, he is also far too talented and motivated to let that happen. Expect big things from the Gators and Driskel in 2013.
Taylor Sturm is an SEC Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS or add him to your network on Google.
