SEC Football: 5 Biggest Questions Facing the Florida Gators in the 2016 Offseason

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Oct 3, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators offense huddles up against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Mississippi Rebels 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators offense huddles up against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Mississippi Rebels 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Florida Gators exceeded expectations in Year No. 1 of the McElwain era. Where do the Gators need to improve to do the same in 2016?

The Florida Gators showed a ton of promise in head coach Jim McElwain’s debut season in Gainesville.

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McElwain was the first coach in school history to reach 10 wins in his first season and had his Gators rolling through the first 11 games of the season — securing the SEC East title for the first time since 2009.

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Yet despite a 10-1 start, Florida ended an otherwise phenomenal season with three consecutive losses to in-state rival Florida State, conference foe Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.

Needless to say, the team’s weaknesses were exposed by season’s end. And if the East is to be as vastly improved as its expected to be next season, McElwain and Co. have plenty of work ahead.

Here’s a look at the biggest questions facing the Florida Gators in 2016.

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