At the halfway point of the season, the Gators sit 4-2 and quarterbacks Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson are showing growth according to Dan Mullen. Heading into the two biggest tests remaining on the schedule in LSU and Georgia, Florida needs that growth to continue.

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

Gone, too, are some of the league’s best players, including LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and much-anticipated new Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman. In the season of COVID-19, SEC teams finally open their 10-game league only schedule on Saturday. Even SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said Wednesday: "I still am in the hold my breath moment a bit.”So are coaches. Most SEC coaches are playing it close to the vest in identifying players who will miss the game because of COVID-19, if they have any. Vandy center Grant Miller said it's not altogether new, comparing losing those players to teammates suddenly going down with injuries.