Yes, it was only Charleston Southern that the Florida Gators beat to kick off the Dan Mullen era, but there was still plenty to be happy about.

The offense was clicking and the defense held its own in the 53-6 victory, even without several star players who were suspended.

Because of that Week 1 showing, ESPN’s FPI rankings now have big things projected for the Gators. In fact, after giving Florida a 87.1-percent chance to beat Kentucky this weekend, the Gators are now projected to finish the regular season 10-2:

  • vs. Kentucky — 87.1%
  • vs. Colorado State — 98.4%
  • at Tennessee — 78.5%
  • at Mississippi State — 34.5%
  • vs. LSU — 59.5%
  • at Vanderbilt — 78.9%
  • vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville) — 28.7%
  • vs. Missouri — 69.5%
  • vs. South Carolina — 67.5%
  • vs. Idaho — 98.5%
  • at Florida State — 60.2%

ESPN’s FPI really thinks highly of the Gators’ home-field advantage, as they are projected to win all six of their remaining home games.

A 10-2 record (with a chance to get to 11-2 in a bowl game) would be great in Mullen’s first year at the helm of the program. That would give the Gators the momentum they need on the recruiting trails to start challenging Georgia for SEC East supremacy once again.