Florida is now 5-5 on the season with Ole Miss and FSU on the schedule to close things out.
For Florida Football, last night in The Swamp was an unforgettable experience. The Gators have not defeated LSU since 2018 and came in as underdogs. For many people watching around the nation, it was an unexpected moment, especially when you consider the context of the previous week’s loss to Texas. Even in a losing season, Florida’s victory over LSU is valuable. It is debatable just how much value there will be in the future.
One can pump that narrative all they want about the players still playing hard for Billy Napier, but at some point, that effort has to turn into actual wins. Otherwise, as we pointed out last week, it implies that if everything goes right, Florida’s ceiling will be a close loss against a ranked opponent. So, to have the players still bought in and to actually pull off a real victory rather than a moral victory is a step forward in this program.
The following four favorable outcomes result from that advancement: This weekend, Florida had a large number of elite prospects on campus. Earlier in the week, we stated that winning is the only way to begin converting these guys. The five-star wide receiver from Tampa, Dallas Wilson, will now return to Florida for an official visit. Napier may sell prospects and everyone who enters the transfer site on the idea of playing with DJ Lagway by playing off the recruits. In addition to some NIL funds, there is a mechanism for Florida to replenish its playmakers before 2025.
A victory over FSU would ensure a bowl spot, even if Florida loses to Ole Miss. No, the Florida Gators do not have the Birmingham Bowl as their ultimate objective. However, there will be a sense of positive momentum going into 2025 if Lagway can do well versus a mid-tier ACC or Big 12 team. Even though this season has been awful at times, Florida’s 6-6 record would still give the Gators victories over FSU, LSU, UCF, and Kentucky. At least Gator supporters aren’t absolutely cannon fodder for everyone in the nation, even though losses to Miami, Georgia, and Tennessee are still not fantastic.
We have not been shy in our criticism of Billy Napier, and one might say after a win like this, “Benjamin, you are just a hater.” I would counter that one can be happy and excited about beating LSU for the first time since 2018 while still having the following concerns about the program: LSU is going to be unranked on Tuesday. LSU is just the fourth win Billy Napier has had in three seasons over an FBS team that finished the year with a winning record.
Before the season, we had stated that if Florida didn’t finish 8-4, Napier wouldn’t have them where they should be by the third year of his employment. He can get to 8-5 at most. While Napier botched the game against Tennessee by himself, DJ Lagway’s long shots haven’t forgotten that this team was utterly unprepared for Miami, Texas A&M, and Texas. Although it may seem like we are constantly complaining and pointing fingers, Napier cannot come out next week and criticize Ole Miss in order to demonstrate that anything has changed. If Florida defeats the Rebels the next week and defeats FSU to end the regular season, weWe shall gradually lay down our pitchfork while making sure to keep an eye on its whereabouts if Florida defeats FSU and defeats the Rebels the following week to end the regular season.
We shall gradually lay down our pitchfork while making sure to keep an eye on its whereabouts if Florida defeats FSU and defeats the Rebels the following week to end the regular season.
Leave a Reply