KAIIR ELAM

Florida quarterback Emory Jones says the 20th-ranked Gators aim to play a cleaner game against LSU than the last time the historical rivals met in Gainesville a season ago.

Emory Jones had a career-high four touchdowns passes, potentially quieting calls for backup Anthony Richardson, and No. 20 Florida routed woeful Vanderbilt 42-0.

Emory Jones had two touchdown passes to go along with a career-high 144 yards rushing, leading No. 11 Florida to a 38-14 victory over Tennessee on Saturday night and extending nearly two decades of dominance in the series.

Alabama looked beatable.

Florida’s defense was historically bad last season, so dreadful at times that fans were clamoring to fire everyone.

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The Southeastern Conference still has its usual array of potential national title contenders, even if the quarterbacks have changed.

Florida’s most prolific offensive trio in decades, maybe even in school history, is gone.

Florida cornerback and projected starter Jaydon Hill will miss the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

If Florida’s defense is going to rebound from a disappointing 2020 season, the group will have to come together much better than they did last season.

Hey, Gators fans!

<i>This story first appeared in Chomp, our Gators football newsletter. </i><a href="https://www.news4jax.com/account/newsletters/" target="_blank"><i>Subscribe here</i></a><i>.</i>

The 2021 college football preseason magazines are singing a different, but expected, tune from their 2020 versions. Can Florida remain a threat in the SEC?

While there's plenty of time for the landscape of the 2022 NFL draft to shift, these prospects have already put themselves on everyone's radar.

Kaiir Elam during the Gators' game against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Adler GarfieldTo say the 2020 Florida defense was a disappointment is an understatement. With that disappointment comes change on and off the field in the form of instant-impact transfers and new coaching hires. David Waters, Will Miles (Read and Reaction) and Nick Knudsen (American Football Stories, Read and Reaction) discuss the changes and issues for the Florida defense. Get Gators Breakdown merchandise at https://www.ebay.com/str/gatorsbreakdownLISTEN: Catch up on previous episodes of Gators BreakdownFollow David Waters on Twitter @GatorDave_SEC to stay plugged in, or click one of the following to tune in:Megaphone | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Coach Dan Mullen wants his unbeaten Florida Gators to be unrelenting. The unit was even more porous in the season opener at Ole Miss, allowing two touchdowns in the final frame and 613 yards total. But Mullen wants more. He wants a foot-on-the-throat mentality late in games, which is something conference and national championship contenders usually have in common. Ole Miss moved the chains on a third-and-19 play.

Offensive futility seems like a thing of the past now under Dan Mullen. After years of the offense being the brunt of criticism, 2020 starts with the defense taking those criticisms. David Waters is joined by Will Miles (ReadandReaction.com) to take another look back at all the success on offense as well as what issues can be corrected on defense. This episode of Gators Breakdown is brought to you by MyBookie. Bet this football season, use promo code “GATORS” and get a free $20 wager on your first deposit at http://bit.ly/MYB-GatorsBreakdownGet Gators Breakdown merchandise at https://www.ebay.com/str/gatorsbreakdownLISTEN: Catch up on previous episodes of Gators BreakdownFollow David Waters on Twitter @GatorDave_SEC to stay plugged in, or click one of the following to tune in:Megaphone | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Google Play | Stitcher

It also could be Mullen taking over-the-top precaution as the eighth-ranked Gators get ready to begin a championship-or-bust season. We have the potential to go compete for a championship and be a championship team, said Mullen, who is 21-5 in two seasons in Gainesville. But I think we have that potential, which is really good and its really exciting. Florida won 10 games in Mullens first season and 11 in Year 2. This season, Wilson has All-SEC potential and fellow cornerback Kaiir Elam is considered a rising star after a breakout freshman year.

Floridas roster may not get lauded as much as Alabamas and Georgias, but pundits see theres still plenty of talent for the Gators. David Waters is joined by Will Miles (ReadandReaction.com) to break down the talent the college football media sees assembled in Gainesville and show theres promising data that has Florida set up for a title run in 2020. LISTEN: Catch up on previous episodes of Gators BreakdownFollow David Waters on Twitter @GatorDave_SEC to stay plugged in, or click one of the following to tune in:Megaphone | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Google Play | Stitcher

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Saturday's win over Vanderbilt offered plenty of playing time for a few young Gators. Mohamoud Diabate, Ethan White, and Kaiir Elam headlined a glimpse into the future for Florida. LISTEN: Catch up on previous episodes of Gators BreakdownDavid Waters is joined by Will Miles (ReadandReaction.com) as they look at the performance of some Gators that will be counted on in the years to come. Follow @GatorDave_SEC to stay plugged in, or click one of the following to tune in:Megaphone | A pple Podcasts | YouTube | Google PlayCopyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.