SEC 2012 preview: Florida Gators
An early look at South Carolina's Oct. 20 opponent, Florida, plus video comments from head coach Will Muschamp and players Jon Bostic and Mike Gillislee.
... This is the sixth in a series of eight. Coming Wednesday: Tennessee. Already online: Vanderbilt | Missouri | Kentucky | Georgia | LSU
... Last year's record: 7-6, 3-5 SEC
... Bowl game last season: Defeated Ohio State 24-17 in Gator Bowl
... Head coach: Will Muschamp, 7-6 one year (7-6 career record)
... Series record: Florida leads 23-6-3
... Coaches All-SEC selections: PK Caleb Sturgis (1st team); DL Sharrif Floyd (2nd); ILB Jon Bostic (2nd); RS Andre Debose (2nd); DB Matt Elam (2nd); OL Xavier Nixon (3rd); DL Dominique Easley (3rd); ILB Jelani Jenkins (3rd)
Key players
... Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel, quarterbacks: The days of explosive offense seem like ancient history at Florida. Coach Will Muschamp says little separates Brissett and Driskel heading into the fall. Brissett was put in during the Alabama game last year after starter John Brantley was injured and started two other games, giving him an experience edge over Driskel.
... Mike Gillislee, running back: Gone are the small running backs such as Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey. In is the power back: Gillislee. He averaged 5.9 yards a carry this past season.
Game storylines
... The Gamecocks have won two in a row against the Gators and have caught up in overall talent. Florida had a shaky passing attack last year and are undecided on a QB starter after spring drills. If USC can make Florida one dimensional like they did last year in the 17-12 victory, they should win three in a row for the first time in series history.
... Will Muschamp will have the Gators back at some point. Plus, USC has won once in The Swamp. Florida should be better on both lines. The Gamecocks will be coming off tough games against Georgia and LSU, so they might not be mentally and physically up to the challenge of fending off the Gators.
This story was originally published July 31, 2012 at 4:23 PM with the headline "SEC 2012 preview: Florida Gators."