"Billy Napier better have his boys ready to compete in year two, otherwise he could be looking at a brutal record and a potential firing should things not go well in Gainesville this fall.” That seems a tad histrionic. There is no realistic way on-field performance, or lack thereof would lead to a Napier firing this early. If for no other reason than what it would do to the attitude of any potential replacement candidates. But that does not mean that a disaster of a season couldn't be the indelible, and inevitable handwriting on the wall. Personally I do not expect our win-loss record to be pleasant. What I want to see is us looking good even when we do not gain a victory, and with solid improvement during the course of the season. A difficult schedule is a double edged sword of exposure. It can reveal a program's weakness, but also offer a promise to those willing to join. Because players who want to be the best need to opportunity to play the best.
Tough schedule. Not expecting a 10-win season but am expecting the team to compete and keep games competitive every week and pull off the occasional upset. The general consensus is Napier will get a pass in year 2, year 3 will be very telling.
Interesting factoids from Phil Steele: Florida is the only team in the SEC that plays 3 teams coming off a bye. Florida has lost 6 of 7 SEC road games in the last 2 years. Florida has lost 3 of the last 5 SEC home openers including last year versus Kentucky 26-16.
IMO should CBN continue to bring in recruiting hauls similar to this year, (top 5ish) a head coaching change is almost inconceivable until the end of the 25 season and that's only if UF is dancing around 6 wins or less on average each of those years. That is unless a Pat Fitzgerald situation pops up or the locker room goes completely out of control.
Despite the vitriolic diatribes perpetuated by fools like Finebaum, Gator fans no more or less impatient than any other fan base. I think CBN should be judged more on improving offensive creativity than simply wins & losses. He also has to win enough games to keep this excellent recruiting class together. With the money these guys make I don’t think it is unfair to give them the quick hook if the program isn’t headed in the right direction. As the old saying goes, “Fair is where you take your pig to win a blue ribbon!”
Case in point folks: Kirby's 1st season with a stocked cupboard (Mark Richt was no buffoon like the last HBCes we had) along with the 84th ranked Strength of Schedule managed an 8-5 record. I actually looked that up. He also had a meh recruiting class after his 1st season as HBC but I don't recall Dawg fans saying it's time to kick him out and go get Muschamp.
Yeah, I'm in this camp. What I would like to see is improved play even if it doesn't translate to wins. Have the defense play better and have close games. Spurrier and Wuerffel aren't coming through the door so I'm not expecting 50 pts a game.
Needs to show improvement Billy Napier, Florida: Still wondering how we're going to score more than a TD every quarter or two against any competition. Just watched the Las Vegas Bowl again last night on ESPN and the play-calling was simply very poor. Hopefully new hires John Donovan and Eric Kiesau can help with Napier's decision-making process.
The improvement is likely going to be in the eye of the beholder. If it’s based solely on W/L, those folks might need a safe space to curl up in. I personally believe Billy is in a really tough spot this year. Some are already downplaying 24, it could get rough if that’s the case.
With the new sheriff in town a lot of players saw the discipline and accountability Napier demanded and left for an easier gig. Those that stayed are the type of persons that Napier wants to build the program around. With the portal providing some much needed talent at a few positions we should have a winning season (I'm expecting 7 wins and a bowl invitation). There is no way CBN gets canned after year two. I looked at the 2024 class and it is a monster and will get even better. The 2025 team could be special and Billy Napier will be coaching it.
I even have trouble thinking we only get to 7 wins. If nothing goes our way, 7 should be the floor. I’m a homer, but unless the OL implodes and the QBs flop then we are getting close to double digit wins.
I sure hope you're right and I do see a lot of potential on the team but we have a killer schedule and a lot of moving parts on this roster. I would be thrilled no end for a ten win season. That would really set Napier up for 2024.
I know this is what the media is pushing down our throats. Heck, they are saying vandy/mizzou are tossups. I know the history but I’m not buying that. Call me a homer, but I will never believe those teams are on the same level as UF. We beat Utah last year, crushed usc by 30…all the sudden those are losses by the media? maybe they are right. Maybe I’ll lose a lot of money on the 5.5 o/u. But I think we are propping up these mid level teams too much because of our recent instability. I’m believing that we are much more stable now. 10 wins would mean we got a huge win somewhere. 9 wins can be had just by doing what we should imo. But I could easily be living in the past!
We will get there, but 7-8 wins is more realistic. Is feel confident in the over on 5.5 also but Mertz will have to play very well for us to get to 10 wins. I don’t listen to the media anyways
