The Florida Gators lost in dramatic fashion Saturday afternoon, falling to the Arkansas Razorbacks in overtime, 39-36.
The back nine of the 2023 season was always going to be a rough stretch for the Gators, but there was hope for a positive turn in momentum before heading into a gauntlet of three top-ranked teams in the nation.
A win over the Razorbacks would’ve clinched a bowl game trip for Florida, but now a post-season game seems almost impossible to obtain.
CBS Sports writer Shehan Jeyarajah released his choices for the winners and losers of Week 10, and not only did the Gators lose on the field, but they were also deemed losers in this week’s list.
“The Gators started the year 5-2, but things have unraveled as of late,” Jeyarajah said. “After losing 43-20 to Georgia one week ago, Florida lost a 39-36 clunker against Arkansas in overtime as the Razorbacks snapped a streak of seven straight regular-season losses against Power Five opponents. The Gators were outgained by more than 100 yards against a struggling Arkansas team.
“The biggest issue for Florida isn’t the loss to Arkansas alone, it’s what comes next,” he continued. “All three remaining games (at No. 14 LSU, at No. 12 Missouri, No. 4 Florida State) are against ranked opponents. After the loss, Florida is at serious risk of ending the year with five straight losses and with its first missed bowl game since 2017.”
Jeyarajah also wrote that Napier has built a strong recruiting class for 2024, and it’s been the bright side of the second-year head coach’s tenure.
“Florida coach Billy Napier has put together an elite recruiting class,” Jeyarajah said, “sitting at No. 3 in the Top247 rankings for the 2024 cycle. But while the second-year coach isn’t solely being judged on his 11-11 record at Florida, it’s fair to ask when Napier’s process will yield results.”
The Florida Gators will travel to Baton Rouge to challenge the LSU Tigers next Saturday in an attempt to redeem its most recent loss and get back on track for a bowl game appearance.
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