Renowned college football analyst Phil Steele joined Steve Russell on Monday on ESPN 850 WRUF radio in Gainesville to talk college football, and he unveiled some lofty expectations for Florida. Steele, who had Florida pegged much higher than most analysts heading into 2012 and much lower than most analysts heading into 2013, has a bright outlook for the Gators going into Will Muschamp's fourth year in charge.

"When I take a look at Florida this year, I do see a double-digit win season," Steele said. "In fact, I rank them my No. 2 most improved team in the country ... When you look at the talent they've got on the defensive side of the ball, I think they're going to look more like the team from the first half of [2013]. I rate them the No. 5 defense in the country coming into the season. You look at the defensive line, linebackers, DBs, all rank in my top units in the front of the magazine.

"You look offensively now, Kurt Roper, I think, is going to look like a genius at the end of this year. Let's face it, Florida's offense has only averaged about 20 some-odd points per game the last three years. But Roper's got some talent to work with. I thought (Jeff) Driskel worked well with Roper in the spring, I think he'll be a much-improved QB.

"As long as they stay healthy, which I think they will, they're going to go from four wins to double-digit wins this year. And I consider them one of the three contenders in the East along with Georgia and South Carolina."