Florida football schedule: Ranking the Gators' 2022 opponents

Just two years removed from being in the College Football Playoff conversation, Florida is entering a new chapter with a new head coach and new pressures.

Dan Mullen is out and Billy Napier steps in to lead this Gators program with a mandate to improve recruiting, beat Georgia, win the division, win the SEC, and make the playoff.

But between now and then are more than a few challenges. Holes to fix on defense, shoring up its protection at the line of scrimmage, building a more aggressive downfield attack, and finding a long-term solution at quarterback.

And throwing some elbows in the always-difficult SEC schedule every season. What can the Gators look forward to? Let's look at Florida's 2022 slate, ranking each game from easiest to hardest.

Florida football schedule: Ranking the Gators' 2022 opponents

12. Eastern Washington

When: Oct. 1

Where: Gainesville

What to expect: One of the best teams in the Big Sky a year ago, Eastern Washington finished No. 9 in the FCS rankings, going 2-2 against other ranked opponents, scoring 40 points in seven games, 60 in three, and over 70 in one. Head coach Aaron Best has the program trending in the right direction, winning 10 games for the first time last season and getting to the second round of the FCS playoff.

11. South Florida

When: Sept. 17

Where: Gainesville

What to expect: Florida put USF away in a 42-20 meeting early last season in a game that introduced the world to Anthony Richardson. The Gators' quarterback threw two TDs on three total passes and rushed for another score in that game. USF won twice a year ago, scoring 20 or fewer points in six outings and it's hard to see where the team has improved all that much since.

10. Vanderbilt

USA Today Images

When: Nov. 19

Where: Nashville

What to expect: Florida handed Vandy one of its two shutouts last season (Georgia was the other) as the Dores finished with an 0-8 mark in SEC games. It was always going to be a long climb for Clark Lea and his staff, and it looks as steep as ever. Vanderbilt's offense accounted for just under 16 points per game a year ago and this defense allowed almost 40 points each time out against SEC opposition.

9. Missouri

When: Oct. 8

Where: Gainesville

What to expect: Eli Drinkwitz has to break in a new quarterback after Connor Bazelak transferred to Indiana this offseason. And a new running back following the departure of Tyler Badie, the SEC's all-purpose yardage leader in 2021. Missouri will welcome 5-star wide receiver Luther Burden into the fold, but there are still some structural issues on this roster to solve before it can make any real headway in the SEC East.

8. Florida State

USA Today Images

When: Nov. 25

Where: Tallahassee

What to expect: Florida's old rival started 0-2 last fall, including a home loss to Jacksonville State, but ranked in the middle of the pack in the ACC in most categories as the season went on, losing to the Gators by just a field goal in the Swamp.

Jordan Travis returns at quarterback after a 15 TD, 6 INT showing last season, including a five-game stretch in which he didn't throw a pick: the Seminoles went 4-1 in those games and Travis accounted for 13 all-purpose touchdowns. Put behind an improving offensive line, the Palm Beach native could make a difference in this game.

7. South Carolina

USA Today Images

When: Nov. 12

Where: Gainesville

What to expect: Florida fans don't need reminded what happened in this game last season when the Gamecocks walked away with a 40-17 rout in Columbia. South Carolina vastly improved its offensive potential in the offseason, signing Oklahoma transfers in quarterback Spencer Rattler and tight end Austin Stogner. That's enough to make this a much more interesting matchup for when Florida comes home from games against Georgia and Texas A&M.

6. LSU

When: Oct. 15

Where: Gainesville

What to expect: LSU is one of the biggest open questions in college football this season. First-year coach Brian Kelly brings plenty of wins from his Notre Dame tenure, but also some statement losses against Southern teams. There's plenty of talent to work with here, but holes to fill in the secondary and offensive line. LSU upset Florida 49-42 last season, but a lot of the players in that game are gone.

5. Tennessee

USA Today Images

When: Sept. 24

Where: Knoxville

What to expect: UT placed in the top 10 across college football last season in total offense and scoring per game thanks to the play of quarterback Hendon Hooker. He's one of the SEC's best returning players at the position, but the Vols need to ensure quality replacements for talent lost at the receiver position. Second-year coach Josh Heupel needs answers for a defense that allowed almost 34 points to SEC opposition a year ago and has holes in the secondary.

4. Kentucky

When: Sept. 10

Where: Gainesville

What to expect: UK got to 10 wins a year ago, thanks in part to its first home win over Florida since 1986. Now the Wildcats get Will Levis back at quarterback after his 2,800-yard, 24 TD performance, but lose Wan'Dale Robinson at receiver, three O-line starters, and six defensive contributors. This game should help sort out the SEC East standings and comes early, in Week 2 at the Swamp.

3. Utah

When: Sept. 3

Where: Gainesville

What to expect: Billy Napier draws quite a matchup for his first game at Florida, against the defending Pac-12 champion that returns major production at quarterback and running back. Utah beat a seemingly College Football Playoff-bound Oregon twice and played Ohio State and its No. 1 offense to the wire in the Rose Bowl. Now, Cameron Rising and Tavion Thomas bring back a one-two punch that was responsible for 47 touchdowns last fall. Week 1 is by no means a gimme for UF.

2. Texas A&M

When: Nov. 5

Where: College Station

What to expect: A&M just signed a ridiculously elite recruiting class and should be set on the defensive front for a few years. There are some good receivers to work, Devon Achane is a solid fixture at running back, and a room full of talented quarterbacks, including LSU transfer Max Johnson, who helped beat Florida last fall. But if there's one thing we've learned during the Jimbo era, it's that the Aggies can lose as well as win in the SEC on any given Saturday. This will be UF's first game outside Florida since a Sept. 24 trip to Knoxville.

1. Georgia

When: Oct. 29

Where: Jacksonville

What to expect: The old animosity picks up again at the end of October, now with the added juice of Georgia coming in as national champions. Much of the Bulldogs' man-eating defense is off to the NFL, but there's plenty enough talent and speed ready to step up in its place. Stetson Bennett is back, too, with the likes of Brock Bowers, Darnell Washington, and Arik Gilbert on the receiving end. Georgia can do just about anything it wants in the trenches and on the perimeter. This matchup should show exactly what kind of recruiting gap the Gators under Napier have with their rivals in Year 1.

---

More from College Football HQ

• Florida football schedule for Gators' 2022 season

• SEC football power rankings ahead of the 2022 season

• Teams with most appearances in College Football Playoff rankings

• Ranking college football's best national champions of BCS/CFP era

• Most appearances at No. 1 in the College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings

Follow College Football HQ: Bookmark | Facebook | Twitter | Flipboard | Newsbreak