Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Florida football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2023

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 24, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

Year one of the Billy Napier era with Florida football didn’t go quite as planned. After an impressive season-opening win over reigning Pac-12 champion Utah, the Gators ended up going 6-6 during the regular season and losing in their bowl game to drop below .500.

The Gators are hoping for better luck this time around.

Florida is facing another tough slate, starting with Utah once again, but this time on the road. Will the Gators out-do their first season under Napier and contend in the SEC?

Let’s find out.

Last season’s season-opening win over Utah at home was a movie. The Gators were looking to kick off the Bill Napier era on the right note and they did just that, beating the reigning Pac-12 champ. Utah went on to win a second straight Pac-12 title while the Gators finished just 6-7.

This time around, Florida will be fighting for relevancy in the season opener against Utah, but the Utes are bringing back too much, including quarterback Cameron Rising, while Florida loses Anthony Richardson.

No season-opening luck this time around.

Prediction: Loss (0-1)

Talk about the perfect way to get back on track after a disheartening season-opening loss to Utah, Florida will head back home to host McNeese and this one won’t be close.

Florida picks up a 40-plus point win in the home opener of 2023 to move the overall record back to .500 after a reset button.

Prediction: Win (1-1)

Home/Florida Gators