Florida football is trending in the right direction both on and off the field after back-to-back wins over ranked opponents for the first time under Billy Napier. The Gators are receiving votes in the AP poll for the first time this season, despite their 6-5 record. Recruiting has soared in recent weeks, picking up eight commitments since November 11th, climbing from outside of the top 50 to No.17 in the 2025 class, according to 247 Sports.
The Gators have a big opportunity to end the season on a high note when they travel to take on in-state rival Florida State on Saturday. It would be easy to overlook the Seminoles as they have just two wins on the 2024 season and maintain one of the worst offenses in college football. But Napier and the Gators know what is at stake in week 14; a chance to beat one of your biggest rivals and build on your momentum heading into the offseason.
“You do have to work your way through your punch list and do each day as if it’s the most important game of the year. I would say that it is the most important game of the year, not just because it’s the next one, but I do think there’s a ton at stake here,” Napier said on Monday.
“I think we have to realize all that comes with this game big picture-wise,” Napier added. “I think our players, they’ll have a pulse on where we’re at, then we’ll adjust the cells each day of the week as we try to build momentum towards kicking it off up there.”
Florida has had a roller coaster of a 2024 season, with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Each week there’s a different level of emotion that you have to control inside the locker room. The Gators haven’t had any issues with responding the right way, which is a credit to Napier, the staff, and the players.
“I think every week’s a little bit different in terms of what buttons you push, what motivates the players. I think that’s where you’ve got to have good leadership at the player level, where there’s collaboration,” Napier said.
“I always ask some of our key guys, Where are we at? They know. They’re the ones. They know more than I know, or our staff knows. I think that’s going to be the key.”
While Florida is trying to end the regular season with a win, it would be hard not to acknowledge what’s going on in Tallahassee. 2024 is FSU’s worst season since 1974 under Darrell Mudra. It’s also their worst offensive team in program history.
Napier was asked on Monday if he was surprised by the Seminoles season.
“I have my own grass to mow. My yard is big, has a lot of weeds in it. I have my own issues. I don’t necessarily think it would be right for me to comment on that,” Napier said on FSU’s struggles. “Look, I understand all the things that come with the job. Job’s probably more challenging than it’s ever been. I have a ton of respect for Mike. He’s a good football coach. I think we’re trying to get the Florida Gators better. That’s my focus.”
If Florida can beat FSU as 14.5-point favorites, they’ll have a chance to finish the season 8-5 with a bowl game victory. That would likely put Florida in the top 25 to end the season, which would create a ton of momentum heading into the offseason and 2025 season.
Nice summation Nick. While it’s nice to finally be favored, this is on the road, at night, against one of UF’s biggest rivals. FSU will be jacked. The Gators need to be sharp, focused and ready to play.
And IT IS the biggest game of the year as far as many Gator fans are concerned, no matter what the records are.
Indeed.