CBS Sports thinks Florida football is 'overrated' heading into 2025 campaign
However, Billy Napier and Co. face another brutal schedule that is arguably the toughest among FBS schools while playing in the über-competetive Southeastern Confernece. The overall consensus on Florida's outlook has been a mixed bag, with some projecting a possible College Football Playoff appearance while others think the Gators will finish outside the top 25.
CBS Sports recently assembled its college football staff to offer their SEC expert picks for the upcoming season, breaking down the contenders and pretenders while also providing bold predictions for the season ahead. Unfortunately for Florida, they landed in the "most overrated team" category.
What CBS Sports says about Florida football's outlook
"I'm a believer in Billy Napier and DJ Lagway, but I can't get past that brutal schedule again", John Talty begins — with an assist from Chip Patterson.
"Napier did a terrific job managing a treacherous situation with so much outside noise calling for his job and still guiding the Gators to an 8-5 record. That has cranked up the offseason hype machine and landed the Gators a preseason top 15 position, but it's hard to see Florida really improving much off last year's 8-5 record," they continue.
"Florida plays four top 10 teams (Texas, Georgia, LSU and Miami) plus No. 19 Texas A&M, No. 21 Ole Miss and No. 24 Tennessee. If Napier can get to nine or more wins with that schedule, he deserves a raise and extension."
For what it is worth, the group also has the top-ranked Longhorns in that same category, along with the Rebels, Vols and South Carolina Gamecocks.
CBS Sports' bold prediction for Florida football
"Florida starts the season in the top 15 and yet ends the year unranked after another grueling schedule deflates the Gators' hype balloon. Florida will be a better team than it was in 2024 and I'm a believer in DJ Lagway but the Gators' have a brutal four-game stretch all against top 20 teams — LSU, Miami, Texas and Texas A&M — and still play Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Florida State," Talty notes.
"Napier was a miracle worker getting last year's team to 8-5 and if he can somehow improve on that with this year's slate, make him Coach of the Year."
Florida football's season opener
The Orange and Blue open up the 2025 campaign at home inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, against the Long Island Sharks. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
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