The 2023 schedule for Florida football is a formidable one, to say the least, with many media pundits predicting the Gators’ fall lineup to be among the most difficult among Power Five schools. Nonetheless, teams must play the hands they are dealt and Billy Napier’s boys are up for the challenge.
College Sports Wire’s editor Patrick Conn recently published his 11 unranked teams who can make noise in 2023, which was headlined by Napier’s fledgling program. Here is what he had to say about the Orange and Blue’s chances of making some waves despite being an outcast in the polls.
Florida was among the teams on the outside looking in given they were unranked in the coaches poll. The Gators did receive 63 votes which would make them No. 28 in the country. Year one under William Napier didn’t go as planned but they are a team to monitor in 2023.
The Gators are gaining momentum on the recruiting trails but they need some of the magic to make its way to the football field. Graham Mertz joined the team this offseason and if he can become this year’s Jayden Daniels, then the Gators are ready to make some noise in 2023.
While the Coaches Poll looked upon the Gators more favorably, they only received four votes in the AP Poll. Additionally, The Athletic predicts just 5.5 wins overall for UF next season and they might have the most difficult conference schedule according to CBS Sports. ESPN’s Chris Low thinks Florida’s schedule is the toughest among all Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
Florida opens its 2023 schedule on the road against the Utah Utes, who are ranked No. 14 in both the AP and Coaches Poll, on Aug. 31 with a kickoff time of 8 p.m. EDT.
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