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Florida football: Ranking Florida’s 2022 Opponents

By Sean Doty

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 05: Head Coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators speaks during a press conference introducing him to the Media at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 05: Head Coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators speaks during a press conference introducing him to the Media at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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Nov 6, 2021; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Jason Brown (15) drops back to pass against the Florida Gators in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

Florida football opponent rankings: South Carolina (11/12)

Metric Score: 4

While the previously mentioned Missouri game was dubbed as a potential redemption game for the Gators, this year’s matchup against South Carolina is all about revenge.

Before the start of the 2021 season, the majority of the national media selected South Carolina to finish last in the SEC. This was mainly due to having a first-time head coach in Shane Beamer, as well as having to resort to one of their assistant coaches suiting up at quarterback due to multiple injuries in their quarterback room.

The Gamecocks’ offense in 2021 ranked 13th in the SEC and 111th nationally, averaging less than 340 yards of offense per game.

However, against the Gators’ defense under Todd Grantham last November, their offense looked like the 11th best offense in the nation after scoring 40 points and tallying 459 yards of total offense, including 284 yards on the ground.

Since 2010 both teams have split the series with six wins a piece. It has become one of Florida’s most underrated rivalries in recent years too, as six of their last 12 meetings have been decided by 10 points or less.

On paper, the Gamecocks should be significantly better on offense, primarily because of the acquisition of former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler via the transfer portal.

South Carolina also returns its top two pass catchers last season, Josh Vann and Jaheim Bell, who combined for 73 catches and 10 touchdowns. The Gamecocks also added former Oklahoma tight end Austin Stogner from the transfer portal too, who has 654 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his collegiate career,

Vegas insiders currently have the Gamecocks listed as winning only six games in 2022. Though the Gators should be heavily favored at home for this matchup, this game falls right after a two-week road stretch against no. 3 Georgia and no. 6 Texas A&M.

If the Gators want to make amends from last year’s letdown and eventually work their way back into the conversation as being one of the SEC’s elite programs, this game is absolute a must-win for Billy Napier and company.

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