2 days ago
Joel Klatt Names SEC Program With 'Much Higher' Expectations in 2025
Joel Klatt Names SEC Program With 'Much Higher' Expectations in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Billy Napier's job as Florida's head coach was hanging in the balance. But a late-season surge, largely fueled by the emergence of freshman quarterback DJ Lagway, helped him weather the storm.
Advertisement
Still, the pressure on Napier hasn't eased. In fact, FOX Sports' Joel Klatt warns that things could quickly spiral if Florida struggles during a pivotal four-game stretch next season.
Fox Sports analyst Joel Lee/Imagn Images
During Monday's 'Coaching Pressure Index' segment of The Joel Klatt Show, the host spotlighted the Gators' daunting four-game stretch—starting September 13 at LSU and ending October 11 at Texas A&M—as a defining moment in Billy Napier's tenure at Florida.
'Hottest seat in the country last year, performed well. I think that bringing him back is the right move. The Lagway relationship clearly worked. They finished really strong, winning their last four including wins against Ole Miss and LSU – those were big wins,' Klatt said. .
Advertisement
'This year, the expectations are much higher. The schedule is just as difficult but they're much higher. And they have an incredibly tough four-game stretch early in the year. I think that they need to go at a minimum 2-2 in these games. This four-game stretch is at LSU, at Miami, (vs.) Texas, and at Texas A&M.'
The SEC games will matter, no doubt, but for Napier, it's the September 20 showdown at Miami that could prove most pivotal.
'So then we talk about where is that pressure game? The pressure game is the same pressure game as Florida State, which is Miami,' Klatt continued.
'It's one thing to lose some of these conference games, and understand the conference schedule is incredibly tough, including at LSU, at Texas A&M, and Texas we think is going to be a Top-2 team, maybe the top team in the country.
Advertisement
'But you've got to prove you're not the third-tier team in the state of Florida, or even the second-tier team. So the game at Miami is actually the one where the pressure gets ratcheted up.
'Tough four-game stretch, I think they need to go 2-2. And if you don't beat Miami, which other two teams are you beating? I don't know.'
Related: Joel Klatt Names Dark Horse SEC Program That is a National Title Contender
Related: Joel Klatt Names SEC Program 'Not Even Close' To The College Football Playoff Hunt
Related: Joel Klatt Names Two SEC Programs That Are Not Legit Contenders In 2024
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
