Florida is hoping this season turns into a repeat of final 12 months at this level.
The Gators (2-4, 1-2 Southeastern Convention) will host Mississippi State (4-2, 0-2) on Saturday in Gainesville, Fla., and try to get their season circled like they did in 2024.
This marketing campaign has develop into much more disappointing for coach Billy Napier, nevertheless.
Florida and Mississippi State have convention commonality: Every misplaced its final day out at Texas A&M, which moved as much as No. 4 within the newest AP High 25 ballot.
The Gators fell 34-17 Saturday evening, beginning properly earlier than wilting as the sport performed out and being outscored 20-3 over the ultimate three quarters.
Defensively, the Aggies restricted the Gators to 319 yards and 1-for-10 on third-down conversions.
“We’re shut,” stated Napier, desperately searching for a turnaround as his critics get louder. “I feel we’re getting higher on offense, and I feel the protection has performed actually robust and laborious the complete means.”
DJ Lagway threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns in that recreation.
Final 12 months, Florida was 3-3 however rallied to finish with consecutive victories over No. 22 LSU, No. 9 Ole Miss and rival Florida State to conclude a 7-5 common season.
This season’s second half options matchups in opposition to No. 9 Georgia, No. 5 Ole Miss, No. 11 Tennessee and the improved Seminoles, who’ve rebounded after final 12 months’s 2-10 catastrophe.
Beneath second-year coach Jeff Lebby, the Bulldogs additionally would fall into that improved class after going 2-10 themselves in 2024.
Nonetheless, after a 4-0 begin stuffed with non-conference video games, they’ve dropped SEC contests in opposition to Tennessee and the Aggies.
Go safety has been an issue, resulting in 16 sacks surrendered in six video games, tied for 112th nationally.
“There’s not going to be these new, excellent, loopy schemes that rapidly give us the flexibility to go maintain the ball for 5 seconds,” Lebby acknowledged. “It is basically enjoying cleaner, having nice confidence in our fundamentals, after which with the ability to go execute that means.”
Lebby added that prime operating again Fluff Bothwell and security Isaac Smith had been “not a full go” Monday, however prime huge receiver Brenen Thompson was “in a fantastic spot bodily.”
–Discipline Degree Media
