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Five biggest "What Ifs" for Florida Football over the last ten seasons

The Gators have had some interesting inflection points over the past decade

By Benjamin Henderson

Oct 3, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Will Grier (7) calls a play against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Will Grier (7) calls a play against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports / Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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What if Florida gets a third down stop against Georgia in 2019?

2019 was an absolute roller coaster of a season for the Gators. Florida opened the season with a big win over Miami but it looked like they were dead in the water against Kentucky.

Feleipe Franks then broke his ankle in the game against the Wildcats, and Kyle Trask entered the game and engineered a legendary comeback against Kentucky.

The Gators would go on to beat Auburn, had an absolute war against Joe Burrow and LSU where they fell short, but entered the annual Georgia game with the SEC East title still firmly in sight.

Georgia had stifled Florida’s offense all day, but Florida scored touchdowns on back-to-back possessions to pull it within 24-17. If Florida could get one defensive stop, the Gators would’ve gotten the ball back with the chance to at least tie the game.

And Florida had their moment to get the ball back with about three minutes to play. The Gators had forced the Bulldogs into a third and seven at the 35 and had a blitz timed up that almost got home but was just chipped out by the running back. The pass from Jake Fromm eluded the fingertips of Florida defensive back Brad Stewart, the pass was complete, Georgia got a first down, and the Bulldogs were able to run out the clock and make their way to Atlanta.

What if Florida had gotten that stop? With just under three minutes left and having finally figured out George’s defense, would Trask have engineered another touchdown drive? If Florida could’ve pulled that game out, it would’ve set up a rematch with LSU in the SEC title game, this time on neutral ground rather than in Death Valley. Would Florida have won the rematch, which would have sent them to the 2019 college football playoff?

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