Florida’s season opener comes a week late this year after its scheduled first game against Idaho was canceled due to inclement weather. The Gators did manage to get one play off (it was a good ‘un), and Florida fans were pleased with the flawless performance.
How to watch Florida vs. Eastern Michigan: Preview, TV/streaming, odds and more
Will the Gators start off their 2014 season on a strong note?
Up next is an actual, complete football game against a similar caliber of opponent. Eastern Michigan travels to Gainesville to take on the Gators, with a blowout in the home team's favor widely expected. Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel is back in action after missing most of the 2013 season with an injury, and the Gators' defense was one of the best in the nation last season.
The Eagles won their opener against FCS Morgan State, 31-28, but struggled in most facets outside of the running game. Eastern Michigan ran 56 times for 292 yards, but averaged 3.3 yards per pass with two different quarterbacks against the FCS Bears. The Eagles did sledgehammer a wall before coming onto the field, however.
How to witness
TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Radio: Here’s a list of radio affiliates for Florida.
Online streaming: WatchESPN
More from our team site
More from our team site
The numbers
Rankings and records: Neither team is ranked. This is Florida’s first game of the season, and Eastern Michigan is 1-0. The Gators hold a 1-0 all-time record in the series.
Vegas: Florida is a 38-point favorite, with an over/under of 55.5 points.
Weather forecast: 86 degrees with a chance of thunderstorms.
Three names to know
Jeff Driskel, QB, Florida. Driskel was averaging a career-high 7.8 yards per attempt before an injury ended his 2013 season. This will be his first return to action since, and he has an opportunity to put up some numbers against what has been a leaky Eastern Michigan defense.
Will Muschamp, head coach, Florida. All eyes will be on the Gators’ head man this season after a dreadful 4-8 2013 campaign that included a loss to then-FCS Georgia Southern. After the opener against Idaho was canceled, this will be Florida fans’ first chance to see Muschamp coach in the 2014 season. If things are close early (and with the Gators’ offense, that’s certainly possible), things could get ugly for Muschamp.
Bronson Hill, RB, Eastern Michigan. The Eagles may have struggled against Morgan State, but they did one thing well: run the ball. Hill has been one of the lone bright spots for the program over the last two seasons, running for 905 yards in 2012 and 1,101 in 2013. He ran 19 times for 114 yards against Morgan State, and should see a lot of the ball early against the Gators.
Two things at stake
Without the Idaho game on the schedule, Florida’s quest for a bowl berth is made that much more difficult. The Gators need every win they can get, and Eastern Michigan certainly counts as one they can get.
This would be a gigantic win for Eastern Michigan and new head coach Chris Creighton, and it would give hope to a possibility of their first bowl game since 1987 (and just third ever).
Further reading
For more on Florida, head to Alligator Army. For coverage of Eastern Michigan and the rest of the MAC, check out Hustle Belt.
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