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 rotated like they did in 2024.
This marketing campaign has turn out to be much more disappointing for coach Billy Napier, nevertheless.
Florida and Mississippi State have convention commonality: Every misplaced its final outing 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 effectively 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 looking for a turnaround as his critics get louder. “I believe we’re getting higher on offense, and I believe the protection has performed actually robust and laborious your entire method.”
DJ Lagway threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns in that sport.
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 towards 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.
Below second-year coach Jeff Lebby, the Bulldogs additionally would fall into that improved class after going 2-10 themselves in 2024.
Nevertheless, after a 4-0 begin full of non-conference video games, they’ve dropped SEC contests towards Tennessee and the Aggies.
Move 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 abruptly give us the power to go maintain the ball for 5 seconds,” Lebby acknowledged. “It is essentially enjoying cleaner, having nice confidence in our fundamentals, after which having the ability to go execute that method.”
Lebby added that high working again Fluff Bothwell and security Isaac Smith have been “not a full go” Monday, however high huge receiver Brenen Thompson was “in a terrific spot bodily.”
–Discipline Stage Media