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Official 2023 Prediction Thread

Discussion in 'RayGator's Swamp Gas' started by ETGator, Aug 22, 2023.

What Will Florida's 2023 Regular Season Record Be?

Poll closed Aug 30, 2023.
  1. More Than 10 WIns

    1 vote(s)
    1.3%
  2. 10-2

    2 vote(s)
    2.5%
  3. 9-3

    7 vote(s)
    8.9%
  4. 8-4

    24 vote(s)
    30.4%
  5. 7-5

    29 vote(s)
    36.7%
  6. 6-6

    8 vote(s)
    10.1%
  7. 5-7

    6 vote(s)
    7.6%
  8. 4-8

    2 vote(s)
    2.5%
  9. Fewer Than 4 Wins

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
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  1. ETGator

    ETGator Long-Time Gator Stuck In East Tennessee Moderator VIP Member

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    OK. We've all heard what the "professionals" think (5-7, BTW) heard the SEC Network talking heads and discussed most of the pre-season articles written about our Gators . . . so it's time to go on the record. Those that dare that is.
     
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  2. ETGator

    ETGator Long-Time Gator Stuck In East Tennessee Moderator VIP Member

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    I got us started. I've avoided saying a number until now but believe we'll be 8-4.

    Probably win a game we aren't supposed to and lose and game we shouldn't as the kids grow-up before our eyes.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  3. RealtyGator

    RealtyGator GC Hall of Fame

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    Vegas says 5.5 wins. I say 8-4. I think Mertz is going to do better than he did at Wisconsin and help prevent opposing defenses from loading the box against our run game.

    Our four losses:
    • Georgia
    • LSU
    • Either Utah OR Tennessee (we beat one)
    • Half-Ass U OR a "bonehead" loss to someone we should beat after a big win the week before
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2023
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  4. slayerxing

    slayerxing GC Hall of Fame

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    The offense has serious depth questions at every position except RB. Any kind of injury bug and things could go off a cliff quickly. I just don't think this offense is deep enough this year to hang all season. The defense will have to carry the offense which means it has to be a lot, and I mean, a lot better. Defense looks better than the offense on paper, lots of new faces, looks much tougher up the middle. I still don't see a dominant edge rusher though, and the LB and safeties still have a lot of questions. Special teams look OK.

    If this were an easier schedule, I'd feel much better about this time, but unfortunately this is a rebuilding team against the #1 SOS in the country.

    @ Utah - loss
    Mcneese - win
    Tennessee - loss
    Charlotte - win
    @ Kentucky - win
    Vanderbilt - win
    @ South Carolina - loss
    Georgia - loss
    Arkansas - win
    @ LSU - loss
    @ Missouri - loss
    FSU - win

    The swing games, IMO, that Florida is certainly good enough to win are @ Utah, @ South Carolina, and @ Missouri, I just don't think this is going to be a good road team this year because of the youth. I think they also have a shot against UT at home if the secondary is better than last year. So I think the ceiling is 9 wins.

    All I want to see is that they are competitive and competent and I think this will be good enough to know things are moving in the right direction.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  5. ThePlayer

    ThePlayer VIP Member

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    6-6 regular season.
    Respectfully, I think our problem will be scoring consistently to keep up with those programs that have really good quarterbacks and great coaching. Safety is our weakest position and opposing QB's will capitalize on it. I pray for a 7-6 season with a bowl win. Hopefully we beat arrogant teams like Tennessee and FSU at home right after losing to Utah, Kentucky and South Carolina on the road. But if we lose to Misery on the road someone should be tarred and feathered.
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2023
  6. gatorfanbill

    gatorfanbill All American

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    I believe our Defense will be much improved. And if our Offense can find ways to score 35 points per game (5 TDS), the Gators should do quite well.

    8-4

    Go Gators!
     
    • Like Like x 1
  7. Mikog8tor

    Mikog8tor GC Hall of Fame

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    Hoping I’m wrong but 7-5 with loses to UGA
    LSU
    KY
    FSU
    USCe
     
    • Like Like x 1
  8. tripsright

    tripsright GC Legend

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    Florida
    I’m going with 8-4, which I think is realistically the best case scenario. But, assuming evidence of team wide improvement, I’m not going to be dejected with 6+ wins.
    The schedule is tough!
     
    • Like Like x 1
  9. missourigator

    missourigator GC Hall of Fame

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    if we win 6 games I will be surprised. I think this season could get ugly. But I hope you guys are right and it isn't just blind optimism. we will know after the first 4 games.
     
  10. uf1998

    uf1998 Senior

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    I'm not understanding the South Carolina love. They've been awful the last five seasons, and they were still pretty much awful the first 10 games of this past season including getting destroyed by our 6-7 team. Then they finally put together two games where they look good (including finally beating Clemson for the first time in a thousand years) before losing their bowl game, and suddenly they're this amazing team and most people are chalking up a Gator loss.
     
    • Agree Agree x 4
  11. SmootyGator

    SmootyGator GC Hall of Fame

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    Tampa, Florida
    I picked 8-4.

    Last year, we were sitting at 6-4 with games against Vandy & FSU to close out. Our team WILL be better than last year! We will win those 2 games this year.

    @ Utah - loss
    Mcneese - win
    Tennessee - win
    Charlotte - win
    @ Kentucky - win
    Vanderbilt - win
    @ South Carolina - win
    Georgia - loss
    Arkansas - loss
    @ LSU - loss
    @ Missouri - win
    FSU - win

    0-1 to start the season. 6 Game winning streak heading to UGA, then unfortunately 3 losses in a row. We head into the final 2 games 6-4 just like last season, but we end strong, win them both to finish 8-4.
     
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  12. ThePlayer

    ThePlayer VIP Member

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    Allow me to offer a few reasons:
    We've lost 6 of our last 7 SEC road games last 2 yrs.
    Beamer is a gutsy coach and they have a great staff.
    They have an experienced SEC QB in Spencer Rattler.
    The Cocks have the #1 Special Teams in the country.
    South Carolina will have a bye right before playing us.
    Their crowd gets up and playing us is like their Super Bowl.
    The AP Poll has them ranked higher than several SEC teams
    we play including Arkansas and Kentucky.

    Others receiving votes
    Texas Tech 101, South Carolina 73, UCLA 66, UTSA 64, Arkansas 22, Boise State 17, Pittsburgh 16, Kentucky 14, Louisville 10, Troy 10, Kansas 10, Auburn 7,
    Minnesota 6, Toledo 4, Duke 4, Mississippi State 4, Florida 4, Illinois 3, Baylor 3, Coastal Carolina 3, South Alabama 1, NC State 1, James Madison 1, Liberty 1.

    NCAA College Football Rankings: AP Top 25 Football Poll
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2023
  13. eastowest

    eastowest GC Hall of Fame

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    What is disturbing about the schedule is the tough teams games b4 ours.
    Tennessee- Austin Peay
    Kentucky 1st 4 games b4 Florida
    Ball St/Eastern Kentucky/Akron/Vandy
    Lsu does play Alabama b4 us...but..three game stretch of South Carolina, Uga and Arkansas with bye weeks b4 us....:eek:
    F$U plays North Alabama.
    9-3
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2023
    • Informative Informative x 2
  14. Gatorrick22

    Gatorrick22 GC Hall of Fame

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    10-2 if the stars all align...
     
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  15. Wanne15

    Wanne15 GC Hall of Fame

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    You have blind pessimism
     
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  16. ThePlayer

    ThePlayer VIP Member

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    Per Phil Steele:
    Florida is the only SEC team that plays 3 teams coming off a bye.
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2023
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  17. rmonteag

    rmonteag GC Hall of Fame

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    Feels dangerously slippery. 6-6 is my prediction
     
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  18. 62gator

    62gator GC Hall of Fame

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    Young inexperienced team.
    Very tough schedule.
    The first game is the swing game, imho.
    Billy just doesn’t have the Derby horses needed yet.
    It’s simple for me though, how Graham Mertz goes, is how this season goes.

    I see 7-5
     
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  19. archigator_96

    archigator_96 GC Hall of Fame

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    I took 7-5. Hoping for better. I'm worried that if we beat Utah, people will be changing their tune and upgrading their predictions of us. In reality, beating Utah will mean only that we won. It will take some sustained wins over Tn, LSU and FSU and not drop boneheaded games to Mizzou and Vandy to say anything about our progress this off season.
     
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  20. ThePlayer

    ThePlayer VIP Member

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    What's the O/U on us scoring 35 points a game? :oops:
    We only scored 35 or more 3 times in a winning effort (E Wash & S Car at home, TAMU on the road).
    If we do that this season even against Vandy at home or Mizzou on the road I will be blown away.
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2023
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