Can Florida football make progress in Billy Napier's second season? Our game-by-game predictions
Florida football will begin the 2023 season next week at No. 14 Utah, part of a schedule that includes five teams ranked in the USA Today/AFCA Preseason Top 25 poll.
Nobody said it would be easy in year two for the Florida Gators under head coach Billy Napier, but UF players are confident that they could surprise teams despite low expectations. The Gators were picked to finish fifth in the SEC East last month in the preseason media poll at SEC Media Days.
"We talk about it all the time, us players in the locker room," Florida defensive back Jaydon Hill said. "We see the doubt and all that, and every day that's kind of how we approach our work, we just come with a chip on our shoulder every day and we just plan to get better."
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Here's a look at our game-by-game predictions for the Gators for the 2023 season:
Aug. 31, at No. 14 Utah
Last season: Florida won 29-26. Utah went 10-4
The buzz: Two-time defending Pac 12 champion Utah returns quarterback Cam Rising, who is coming off a torn ACL in January. The Gators will need to deal with the altitude of Salt Lake City after Utah dealt with the humidity at The Swamp last season.
The pick: Utah wins, 20-17
Sept. 9, McNeese State
Last season: Did not play. McNeese State went 4-7.
The buzz: Florida will play its home opener under the lights at The Swamp eager to get the bad taste of the Utah loss out of their system. The game will serve as a confidence-builder for the Gators.
The pick: Florida wins, 52-0
Sept. 16, No. 10 Tennessee
Last season: Tennessee won 38-33. Tennessee went 11-2.
The buzz: Tennessee hasn't won at The Swamp since 2003. It will remain that way as Florida will enjoy its first signature SEC win under Napier. UF's defense will force four turnovers, including an interception returned for a TD.
The pick: Florida wins, 34-17
Sept. 23, Charlotte
Last season: Did not play. Charlotte went 3-9.
The buzz: Another game under the lights for Florida at The Swamp. There won't be a letdown as the Gators will dominate one of the worst teams in the American Athletic Conference.
The pick: Florida wins, 42-7
Sept. 30, at Kentucky
Last season: Kentucky won 26-16. Kentucky went 7-6.
The buzz: The Gators will snap a two-game losing streak to UK in dramatic fashion. Quarterback Graham Mertz will lead UF on a late drive, with Adam Mihalek kicking a game-winning field goal in the closing seconds.
The pick: Florida wins, 24-21.
Oct. 7, Vanderbilt
Last season: Vanderbilt won 31-24. Vanderbilt went 5-7.
The buzz: Florida will avenge its loss at Vanderbilt last season with a dominant defensive performance on a glorious homecoming Saturday at The Swamp.
The pick: Florida wins, 28-3.
Oct. 14, at South Carolina
Last season: Florida won 38-6. South Carolina went 8-5.
The buzz: Quarterback Spencer Rattler and South Carolina's offense will be tough for Florida to stop early. But the Gators will rally in the second half for their sixth straight win.
The pick: Florida wins, 34-24.
Oct. 28, vs. No. 1 Georgia, Jacksonville
Last season: Georgia won 42-20. Georgia went 15-0.
The buzz: Georgia will snap UF's six-game win streak by shutting down Mertz and UF's run game. The Gators will stay competitive for a half but the tandem of UGA quarterback Carson Beck and tight end Brock Bowers will break UF's heart in the second half.
The pick: Georgia wins, 27-13.
Nov. 5, vs. Arkansas
Last season: Did not play. Arkansas went 7-6.
The buzz: Florida will bounce back from the Georgia disappointment in the black unis. The Gators will keep the talented Arkansas offensive tandem of quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim "Rocket" Sanders in check.
The pick: Florida wins, 28-17.
Nov. 12, at No. 5 LSU
Last season: LSU won 45-35. LSU went 10-4.
The buzz: It won't go well for Napier in his first return to Louisiana as an opposing head coach. LSU will remain too talented and physical for the Gators to contain.
The pick: LSU wins, 35-24.
Nov. 19, at Missouri
Last season: Florida won 24-17. Missouri went 6-7.
The buzz: This presents another cold-weather trap game, like Vanderbilt in 2022. The Gators will overcome the elements with a solid ground game and strong defensive performance.
The pick: Florida wins, 20-14.
Nov. 26, Florida State
Last season: Florida State won 45-38. Florida State went 10-3.
The buzz: There will be an electric atmosphere at The Swamp as UF will look to finish the season unbeaten at home. But FSU quarterback and Heisman hopeful Jordan Travis will find a way to beat UF for the second straight year.
The pick: Florida State wins, 28-23.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Game by game predictions for Florida Gators football in 2023 season
