It’s the start of a new era in Gainesville this week as Florida Gators fall practice gets underway. The schedule kicks off on Thursday, August 6, and new head coach Jim McElwain has more than enough work cut out for him heading into 2015. Despite it being just his first year on the job, Florida fans expect significant improvement this season.

2015 Florida Fall Practice Schedule

• Thursday, August 6 – First practice

Fan Day

• Sunday, August 15: 2:00 – 4:00, doors open at 1:30
• Stephen C. O’Connell Center
• Admission is free
• The University Athletic Association will supply the 2015 Florida Gators team posters for player autographs. Outside items are not allowed to be brought in to the event due to NCAA rules compliance.

Five Things To Keep Your Eye On

1. New Coach, Same Expectations – McElwain takes over a program that expects success, and a lot of it. During the final two years under Will Muschamp, that success was nowhere to be found, and now it’s up to McElwain to put the program back among the elite.

2. Defensive Prowess – For all the struggles under Muschamp, the defense wasn’t one of them. With the return of First Team All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, and the addition of top defensive line recruit CeCe Jefferson, the defense should be stout again.

3. The Quarterback Quandary – Florida fans are craving to see what redshirt freshman Will Grier can bring to the team after sitting out all of 2014. He will have to win the competition against sophomore Treon Harris, who replaced Jeff Driskel last season and led the Gators to a win over rival Georgia in his first collegiate start. No matter who is under center come the first game, McElwain and new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier will need quality quarterback play for the Gators to reach their potential.

4. Talented Backfield – Junior running back Kelvin Taylor is back, and should hopefully see an increased role. The coaching staff is also excited about what incoming freshman Jordan Scarlett, who was a big recruiting pull for McElwain, can do in orange and blue. The running game carried the offense the last two years, including during the upset of then-No. 9 Georgia when Florida only attempted six passes all game.

5. How Will Martez Ivey Develop? – The highly recruited Parade All-American from Apopka, Florida could be a key addition to the offensive line, a unit that is severely thin.

For an in-depth look at this year’s team, check out Pete Fiutak’s Florida football preview.

Comments? Questions? Contact Brian at bstultz@campusinsiders.com or on Twitter @brianjstultz.