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Florida vs. Alabama, Game Thread: Soon, we'll know

All those questions we have about the Gators? We're going to get some answers today.

By Andy Hutchins
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Here are my 25 predictions for Florida's seismic skirmish with Alabama (3:30 p.m., CBS or CBSSports.com)...

  1. Florida will score in the first half.
  2. Florida will allow points in the first quarter.
  3. Neither team will lead by double digits in the first half.
  4. Jeff Driskel will not take every snap at QB for Florida in the first half.
  5. Driskel will account for more than 250 yards of total offense.
  6. Matt Jones will be Florida's leading rusher.
  7. Kelvin Taylor will not have Florida's longest run of the day.
  8. Florida will have at least four rushes of more than 10 yards.
  9. Quinton Dunbar will finally make a touchdown catch. (Yep. Still. Screw it.)
  10. Demarcus Robinson will have fewer than 10 catches.
  11. Florida's receivers will have fewer than 19 combined catches.
  12. Florida will score more than 20 points.
  13. Florida's defense will allow under 5.5 yards per play.
  14. Florida will record no more than two sacks.
  15. A linebacker will lead Florida in tackles.
  16. Amari Cooper will be held under 100 yards receiving.
  17. Florida will record at least one interception.
  18. Florida will force at least two turnovers.
  19. Andre Debose will make a big play on special teams.
  20. Kyle Christy will average better than 43 yards per punt.
  21. Florida will miss a field goal.
  22. Alabama will outgain Florida.
  23. Alabama will never lead by more than 14 points.
  24. Florida will not win.
  25. But it will be close.

Star-divide

By the end of the day, we will probably know.

We'll know if Florida's good or not based on how the Gators play. If Florida's good enough to beat a legitimate national title contender on the road, we might know if Florida's great. And if they get blown out and look awful, well, they might be.

We'll know if Kurt Roper's offense is far enough along to keep Florida competitive in the SEC this year. If Roper and Jeff Driskel and Matt Jones and Demarcus Robinson can puncture Alabama's less-vaunted-than-previous-editions-but-still-kinda-vaunted defense, it probably is. If not: It probably isn't.

We'll know if the flashes of poor play we saw from Florida's defense against Kentucky were just lapses. If Alabama can exploit the Gators' secondary like Patrick Towles did, they probably weren't. If Florida frustrates Blake Sims and shuts down Amari Cooper, that Kentucky game looks like an outlier.

And, most of all, we'll know how to feel about Florida in 2014.

This game will restore faith from fans if it goes well for Florida. It may challenge even hope if it doesn't.

After a long, long time wondering in the wilderness, I'm ready for some knowledge, one way or the other.

Go Gators.