What is the Most Intriguing Match-up for the Gators in 2024

Good stuff, and I totally agree! There could be hiccups in game one, if the Gators don't come to play. I really expect a war!!! Hopefuly, the Gators will play with something to prove! Because Miami is predicted to be a playoff team, and we will not be in the top 25.

 

Okay, it's Dooley, but he argues for the Vols being the biggest game. Your thoughts?
Pat Dooley ranks Florida football’s 2024 schedule game-by-game

 

No, I did not miss the point. He rated the Tennessee as the most important game. But, he wondered if he should have ranked Miami first, and I get it! Miami is in the Swamp, and that is a must win game! A loss against Miami would, no doubt, taint the entire season. Almost every game equally matters, because if the Gators do not bring their A game, they can suffer a loss against their major opponents. So, I agree with you, Miami is the biggest game, and it will probably be one of the most difficult teams to beat. I think I could accept a good loss, if the Gators play Miami well. But if the Gators don't come to play and it's an ugly loss for the Gators; well, that would be detrimental. And, I will leave that as a topic we hopefully never have to broach.

 

I agree with your differentiation, and I see many games as one or the other, or perhaps both.
Florida football 2024 schedule

Aug, 31 — Miami
Miami is a talented team, but Florida is talented as well. This is a MUST WIN game for the Good Guys vs The Thugs. This game will set a precedence for the season. I know this is a statement game for both squads, and the Gators must come out on fire (because I know The Thugs will bring it)!

Sept. 7 — Samford
This should be a cream puff opponent, yet the Gators must still play the Gator brand of football and lay the wood to the bulldogs.
Sept. 14 — Texas A&M
The Aggies are very talented and are very capable of a win in Gainesville. It's imperative that Florida brings their A game or this could not end well.
Sept. 21 — at Mississippi State
This is intriguing for me, as, I personally have an almost 70 year memory of Starkville night games. Not implying this will be a nightgame, but it definitely will not be a cakewalk. The Gators cannot afford to come out flat in this one. Miss St should not win this game. Will the Gators beat themselves and make this an interesting contest, or will they fire on all cylinders?
Oct. 5 — UCF
This is an intriguing game, because the Gators are playing a very talented squad that wants nothing better than to embarrass them at home. We must play our A game, because this will be for state dominance and impact future recruiting.

Oct. 12 — at Tennessee
This is a very important game, and we must come out and play fast and hard. Billy will probably want to play ball control, and that would be a mistake! The Gators must score a lot of points and take the Vols fans out of this one early! This is not about ball control but crowd control!!!
Oct. 19 — Kentucky
Kentucky's defense will try to slow our offense down. Consequently, playing ball control will play right into Stoops plan to keep the game close. This game will be about embarrassing Kentucky with scoring a ton of points and not sitting on a lead!
Nov. 2 — Georgia, Jacksonville
This game is winnable for the Gators, but it will entirely be on whether the Gators beat themselves or play competitively.

Nov. 9 — at Texas
This will be a tough place to get a win. For the Gators to win, they will need to execute and play mistake free! This game could get away from us, if we do not show up mentally prepared!
Nov. 16 — LSU
This may be our toughest home game. Florida needs to score quickly and often!
Nov. 23 — Ole Miss
We must play Ole Miss the exact same way as we did when Will Grier was here--four quarters of playing inspired football and maintaining Swamp dominance in 2024!!! Ole Miss CANNOT control the tempo of this game. This will require the defense to play tough and not give up big plays!
Nov. 30 — at Florida State
The outcome of this game should be on us, not simply because it is away. This should be more about scoring than ball control, shutting the free shoes crowd down, and putting this game away.
This was a fun exercise and demonstrated a reoccuring theme. This year, the offense has got to step on the gas and not let up! We cannot afford entire quarters of scoreless play! I'm sure this sounds like a crazy prediction of going undefeated, but that was not my intent. I simply think most of the Gator games are winnable!

 

Clearly, we have 12 games and our fate is in our own hands. None are automatic wins or losses.