Even more proof this could be Florida’s year.

Anybody sense there’s a pattern emerging?

Florida running back and third-team preseason SEC pick Matt Jones is out indefinitely with a viral infection.  Coach Will Muschamp says Jones will be re-evaluated next week.

“He came down with this the last four or five days. Right now we’re filling him full of antibiotics, and how his body responds will tell me how quickly he can come back. I probably won’t know definitively until end of next week on Matt. Just one of those things that happens. He’s got a lot of (gastrointestinal) issues right now and dealing with those things. He should be fine. Again, I don’t know when he’ll be able to return.”

Teammates say Jones has lost considerable weight. He was expected to be Florida’s primary back this year after rushing for  275 yards and three touchdowns as a backup to Mike Gillislee last season. Redshirt junior Mack Brown will take the No. 1 spot in Jones’ absence.

There are also a couple of offensive linemen who will be MIA for the first part of fall practice.  The good thing is that’s not as many who missed the Gators’ spring game.

Florida’s best friend right now looks to be its September schedule.  If the Gators had to face Georgia’s slate, with the walking wounded, you’d have to figure they’d be out of the national race before all was said and done.  As it is, they should get a chance to regroup.  Unless somebody else falls by the wayside.