HOOVER, Ala. — Florida coach Will Muschamp is so excited about the 2013 season he hardly paused to breathe while delivering his opening statement at Tuesday’s media session.
The Gators are coming off an 11-2 campaign in 2012, and Muschamp said he thinks the team can get even better this season, especially on the offensive side of the ball.  
Florida finished No. 118 in the country in passing yards per game last season. Muschamp said his team needs to be more efficient throwing the football and be able to create more explosive plays down the field.
Junior quarterback Jeff Driskel is entering his second season as a starter, and Muschamp said he has already seen improvement in his signal caller.
“[Driskel] certainly understands what we’re doing offensively much better than a year ago which is to be expected,” Muschamp said. “He is a guy I’m really excited to see play.”
The Gators offense will have more continuity from last season than in previous years. Muschamp said the Gators will have the same offensive coordinator for consecutive seasons for the first time since 2010.
Florida also has the benefit of knowing who they will have under center. At this point last season, Driskel was in a position battle for his job.
“It helps us a lot[to know who our quarterback will be],” said senior offensive lineman Jon Halapio. “We spent so much time last year worrying who would win the job, it helps this year to know Jeff is our guy so we can focus on making plays and improving our offense.”
Florida will have to replace a lot on defense, including defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and safety Matt Elam who were first round picks in April’s NFL Draft.
Muschamp acknowledged that the Gators lost a lot of great players from his defense, but said he expects the unit to still be solid in 2013.
“I think we’ve recruited well and I think we’ve developed players extremely well at the University of Florida,” Muschamp said.
One key returning starter on defense is senior lineman Dominique Easley. He had 26 tackles and 4 sacks last season and decided to stay instead of leaving early for the draft.