By: Robert Craft

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The Florida Gators enter the 2024 season expected to finish 12th out of 16 teams in the SEC, according to their preseason poll.

The expectations for Florida football entering 2024 are not at all high. Billy Napier is heading into his third season as the head coach and Billy is on the hot seat.  He has posted a very disappointing 11-14 record across his first two seasons, and Florida will have one of the most brutal schedules and college football in 2024.

Game 1, 8/31. Miami Hurricanes: If you want to talk about the single most important game on the Florida Gator schedule it’s absolutely this game.

The Florida Gators must absolutely win this game to create momentum for 2024. The Miami Hurricanes are a talented team under second year coach Mario Cristobal. The advantage for Florida is The Swamp. Florida Gators 30 Miami Hurricanes 27.

Game 2, 9/7. Samford Bulldogs: This is the one and only cupcake game on the Florida schedule in 2024. Florida 49 Sanford 10.

Game 3, 9/14 Texas A&M: With new coach Mike Elko and a new quarterback on the Aggies roster, expect turn over in this program. Expect even more turnover than Florida’s off-season.

While Texas A&M promises to have plenty of talent. Some of that talent they imported from Gainesville. Can all that talent cohesively come together in time for this game?

Home-field advantage and a returning quarterback will hopefully lead Florida to their third victory of the year. Florida 27 A&M 17.

Game 4, 9/21 @ Mississippi State: This game is tricky. It is on the road, against new head coach Jeff Libby; and Jeff has a lot of work to do.

To start, a new quarterback is needed after Will Rogers went to the transfer portal. The Bulldogs defense also requires roster retooling.

Coach Napier has a horrible road record. At the end of the day, he must prove that he can win on the road this season and this is a convincing opportunity. Florida 28 Mississippi State 17.

Game 5, 10/5 UCF: This is definitely another game that Billy Napier must win to survive. I know Napier has a problem as an endgame coach, but you have to bet on the Home team. UCF will come into this game with a huge chip on their shoulders. It will be way too close. Florida 38 UCF 35.

Game 6, 10/12 @ Tennessee: Josh Heupel knows how to dump points on teams in bunches.

His easy to run, hard to defend offensive system is a concerning combination.

Also, Nico Iamaleava is an upgrade from Joe Milton. The Gator’s defense better be ready. Florida has owned the Vols over the past 20 years, Tennessee won’t go easy on them.

Tennessee 49 Florida 27.

Game 7, 10/19 Kentucky: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this is the year Florida finally beats Kentucky!

Oh, if only my 2010 self could hear me talk now. Kentucky is going to play big boy football in the trenches, and Billy Napier must address the need of the O- and D-Line to control the line of scrimmage.

Once again, I give Florida a slight nod because they’re playing in the Swamp. Florida 23 Kentucky 20.

Game 8, 11/2 Georgia: November will be the most hellacious month of Florida football in recent memory.

I do not believe Florida has closed the talent gap on Georgia, and this year Georgia will be playing for a top seed in the college football playoffs. Georgia 38 Florida 17.

Game 9, 11/9 @ Texas: The brutal five week stretch to close season continues in Austin, where the Gators will lock horns with Texas for the first time since 1940.

Sounds fun, right? Texas is definitely a more talented team and will also be playing for a playoff spot in 2024. Texas 44 Florida 27.

Game 10, 11/16 LSU: LSU has beaten Florida five in a row.

This game will be close because it’s played in the Swamp, But LSU will pull it out late on a coaching mistake by Billy Napier. LSU 31 Florida 27.

Game 11, 11/23 Ole Miss: Lane Kippen will return to the swamp. This time as head coach of Ole Miss. The fact that Ole Miss gets one more year out of Jackson Dart could go a long way towards deciding this game. Ole Miss 27  Florida 24.

Game 12, 11/30 @FSU: Mike Norville has proven adept at working the transfer portal, so reloading for another great season isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.

It’s a rivalry game, which means that even if there are no other emotional components to this game (like the future of Billy Napier), the Florida Gators will have a puncher’s chance.

With that being said, Billy is a putrid 2-10 on the road. FSU 31 Florida 17.