Tag: usa today sports

USA TODAY Sports predicts a Florida win in Week 1 over Miami

Some are calling for a win for the Florida Gators over the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday.

College football’s Week 1 is almost underway and sports media has been submitting its final predictions ahead of the opening kickoff, including a Sunshine State matchup between the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes.

USA TODAY Sports writer Jordan Mendoza submitted his take for the season-opener in the Swamp, favoring the Orange and Blue over the ‘Canes.

“There’s no better candidate to lose their job than [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag],” Mendoza begins.

“The Gators have been underwhelming in his two seasons and with one of the most daunting schedules in the country, safe to say it won’t be an easy season in Florida,” he continues. “However, Florida will get some punches in and it’ll start with a season-opening win.

“Graham Mertz actually had a solid 2023 and he should take another step against an unknown Miami defense. The Swamp will be rocking and the Gators have taken down a ranked opponent at home in the first month of the season in each of Napier’s two seasons. Make it three seasons in a row to give Napier some confidence.”

Florida’s season opener for 2024

The Florida and Miami square off on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida to open their schedule for the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

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LSU vs. USC: USA TODAY Sports expert panel releases picks for season-opener in Las Vegas

Can the Tigers get the win in the desert to open the 2024 season?

It’s almost time for the LSU football team to begin its 2024 campaign against the USC Trojans in Las Vegas.

It’s an interesting matchup on Sunday night that pits two teams in similar situations against each other. Both replace Heisman-winning quarterbacks this fall, and both are turning to new defensive coordinators after that side of the ball proved to be a limiting factor in 2023.

This one may be hard to project, though the Tigers sit as a 4.5-point favorite. Still, USA TODAY Sports’ panel of experts is high on LSU in its weekly game picks.

All but one of the six panelists picked coach Brian Kelly’s team to get the win in Las Vegas, which would certainly give the team a nice boost entering what will be a tough SEC schedule.

The Tigers are looking for their first season-opening win since 2019 on Sunday night.

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USA TODAY Sports foresees a familiar bowl game for Florida football

If USA TODAY Sports’ bowl game projections are correct, the Gators will finish the regular season this fall at least at the .500 mark.

The opening kickoff for Florida football’s 2024 campaign is just days away, and ahead of [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s third season in Gainesville, the final preseason predictions have been cast by members of the sports media.

The Gators face one of the most brutal regular-season schedules which has many feeling bearish on their chances of success, but surprisingly, some have forecast a postseason bowl berth for the Orange and Blue. That in itself assumes a least a .500 finish for Napier and Co. which would be a welcome event for the Gator Nation.

USA TODAY Sports writer Erick Smith submitted his preseason bowl projections and foresees Florida making it into the Gasparilla Bowl against the Duke Blue Devils. That game is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Gators in the Gasparilla Bowl

Florida played in the Gasparilla once before back in 2021 against the Central Florida Knights. Head coach [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag] had been dismissed a game prior, leaving Greg Knox as the skipper for the final two games including the postseason appearance.

Unfortunately, the Gators came out flat in that game and fell to UCF, 29-17. The loss cemented the first of three straight losing seasons for the Orange and Blue.

USA TODAY Sports preseason college football bowl projections

Florida’s season opener for 2024

The Florida Gators and No. 19 Miami Hurricanes square off on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida to open their schedule for the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

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Florida faces one of toughest schedules in 2024, but so do these SEC teams

The Gators might have the toughest schedule in FBS history this season but there are three other SEC schools also facing a similar plight.

It is no secret that Florida football faces one of the toughest schedules among FBS schools this coming fall, but the Gators are not necessarily alone in their plight.

USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg put together his ranking of the 10 toughest college football schedules ahead of Week 1, with the Orange and Blue headlining the pack. [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and Co.’s opponents went 106-50 combined last season and appear to be just as formidable this time around.

“On paper, this is one of the hardest schedules in recent FBS history. The Gators face Miami, Central Florida and Florida State in non-conference play, opening the regular season at home against the Hurricanes and ending November in Tallahassee.

“The Gators’ final six games are against the Volunteers, Kentucky, the Bulldogs, the Longhorns, LSU, Mississippi and the Seminoles. This slate is an absolute beast.”

Other SEC schools facing brutal schedules

The Alabama Crimson Tide also made the list, facing “a predictably tough schedule for first-year coach Kalen DeBoer, capped by a four-game stretch at LSU, home for Mercer, at Oklahoma and back home for the Iron Bowl to close the regular season,” according to Myerberg.

Speaking of the Sooners, the newly-minted SEC program is in for a rude welcome to the conference with four of their final five games coming against Mississippi, Missouri, Alabama and LSU.

Then there is the perennial SEC format — the Vanderbilt Commodores — whose misery is only exacerbated by playing in the most competitive conference in football.

“The Commodores could go 3-1 in non-conference play games against Virginia Tech, Alcorn State, Georgia State and Ball State. (They could also go 1-3.),” Myerberg notes. “But they’re unlikely to snap a five-year postseason drought against an SEC schedule that includes the Crimson Tide, Longhorns, Tigers, Tennessee and Missouri.”

Florida’s season opener for 2024

The Florida Gators and No. 19 Miami Hurricanes square off on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida to open their schedule for the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

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USA TODAY Sports predicts Florida football’s 2024 record

USA TODAY Sports thinks that the Gators will struggle to finish at the .500 mark this fall.

The 2024 college football season officially kicks on Saturday with four games on the Week 0 slate this weekend. Ahead of the opening of the collegiate gridiron schedule, USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg put together his record projections for every team — both overall and intraconference.

Myerberg’s projections included the Florida Gators, who face a brutal schedule as third-year head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] looks to snap three-straight losing seasons dating back to his predecessor. He foresees a 5-7 finish for the Orange and Blue along with a 2-6 record against Southeastern Conference peers, which is consistent with many of the oddsmakers.

That ties Florida with three other teams — the South Carolina Gamecocks, Arkansas Razorbacks and Mississippi State Bulldogs — for 12th place in the 16-school conference.

“Georgia. Texas. Alabama. LSU. Mississippi. Tennessee. Oklahoma. (We could keep going.) It’s obvious the SEC is the strongest conference in the FBS, a few steps ahead of even the very impressive Big Ten,” Myerberg notes.

“While the Bulldogs are the preseason favorite, there’s little room separating teams in this top group. Down the conference standings, Texas A&M is picked to get back into bowl play under new coach Mike Elko, Auburn is pegged for a rebound in Hugh Freeze’s second year and Florida is expected to struggle to get to six wins against a brutal schedule.”

Florida’s season opener for 2024

The Florida Gators and No. 19 Miami Hurricanes square off on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida to open their schedule for the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Former Gators Super Bowl winner faces roster cut this fall

USA TODAY Sports thinks Kadarius Toney has a good chance of being cut before next week’s NFL roster deadline.

The great roster crunch is coming to the NFL next Tuesday when all 32 teams will be forced to shear their rosters down to 53 players in advance of the regular season. One former Florida Gator might be on the cusp of being cut next week.

Wide receiver [autotag]Kadarius Toney[/autotag] has had a rollercoaster career in the professional ranks in just three seasons stretching between the New York Giants, who selected him with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, and the Kansas City Chiefs, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring the past two seasons.

However, USA TODAY Sports writer Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz feels like the mercurial pass-catcher is on the outs with his current team.

“Toney’s fall from Super Bowl 57 standout to an untrustworthy target might end with him tumbling all the way off the roster next week. His 2023 season was defined by a series of high-profile errors, starting with his drops in the Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions and continuing with his offside penalty that wiped out a go-ahead touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.”

Things got even worse for Toney last season as the schedule progressed and trickled into the preseason.

“He finished the year inactive for the team’s final seven games, including Super Bowl 58. Toney’s sloppiness has extended into this preseason, with the receiver committing two penalties on his first exhibition snap last week. Andy Reid has been patient in affording Toney additional chances, but that could be coming to an end.”

With Chiefs first-round pick Xavier Worthy in the mix and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown seemingly avoiding major injury – and no sign of a potential Rashee Rice suspension just yet — it appears that Toney’s days in the BBQ capital of the world are numbered.

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Where Florida football falls in USA TODAY Sports’ preseason re-rank

With the college football season just days away, USA TODAY Sports re-ranked all 134 FBS schools. Where do the Florida Gators end up on that list?

With the 2024 college football season just days away, teams are starting out fresh and ready to make some noise.

The Florida Gators are one of those teams trying to get their season started in the right direction and they know that a season-opening win against the 19th-ranked Miami Hurricanes is absolutely crucial to build momentum for the rest of the year.

After a disappointing 5-7 record last year, head coach Billy Napier and his Florida squad are looking to bounce back and surprise some people.

But of course, they have to perform well on the field and as of now, the national media is looking at the Gators as a mediocre football team.

Florida’s ranking in USA TODAY’s Re-Rank

Sports writer Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports re-ranked all 134 FBS schools and he has the Gators at No. 59 just behind the Tulane Green Wave (No. 58) and ahead of the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (No. 60).

Florida is ahead of just three other SEC teams: Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 68), Mississippi State Bulldogs (No. 73) and Vanderbilt Commodores (No. 118).

USA TODAY’s Re-Ranked Top 10

Myerberg has the Georgia Bulldogs (No. 1) at the top spot followed by the Ohio State Buckeyes (No. 2) and Texas Longhorns (No. 3). The Oregon Ducks (No. 4) and Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 5) round out the top five.

Next are the LSU Tigers (No. 6), Notre Dame Fighting Irish (No. 7), Clemson Tigers (No. 8), Penn State Nittany Lions (No. 9) and Ole Miss Rebels (No. 10).

Florida’s season opener for 2024

The Florida Gators and No. 19 Miami Hurricanes square off on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida to open their schedule for the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

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USA TODAY Sports has Billy Napier on ‘hottest hot seat’

USA TODAY Sports agrees with many others that Billy Napier’s job is on the line this fall.

It is no secret that Florida football’s third-year head coach Billy Napier is facing a furnace of heat on the hot seat this fall as the Gators try to prevent a fourth-straight losing season for the first time since… well, a very long time ago.

Adding fuel to the fire is the ridiculously difficult schedule the Orange and Blue face this season, which includes a newly-minted SEC program in the Texas Longhorns. As such, a good deal of the sports media is predicting another sub-.500 finish, which could be the death knell for Florida’s current coaching staff.

USA TODAY Sports writer Scooby Axson published his 10 college football coaches with the hottest hot seat entering this season and had Napier as his headliner. His outlook on the Gators skipper was far from bullish.

“With the financial resources, the tradition, and the rich recruiting soil of the Sunshine State, this should be one of the nation’s premier programs,” Axson begins.

“Instead, Napier, with an 11-14 record in his first two campaigns, has quickly turned Gator Nation into an afterthought. And with the schedule backloaded with national title-contending teams (Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State), the powers that be at Florida might be cranking up the buyout machine in no time to thus begin another cycle in desperately trying to get back to the top of the sport.”

Other SEC coaches feeling heat

Two other SEC coaches are sizzling on the hot stove, with Vanderbilt Commodores’ Clark Lea and Arkansas Razorbacks’ Sam Pittman also getting the nod.

“It’s tough to win at Vanderbilt,” Axson notes. “Maybe they are in the wrong conference, but when coaches take this job, they are fully aware their time on the sideline, at least at this school, could be short.”

As for the Hogs, the challenge of playing in a highly competitive conference just might not be the right fit either.

“Hiring former motorcycle-riding head coach Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator seems to be a step in the right direction, if anything, to breathe some life and attention into the program,” Axson said. “Still, Arkansas has the unfortunate task of being in the SEC, and navigating that schedule is almost impossible.”

Florida’s season opener for 2024

The Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes — whose head coach Mario Cristobal was among Axson’s honorable mentions — square off on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida, to open their schedule for the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

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Where Billy Napier sits in USA TODAY’s rankings of SEC coaches

How does Florida football head coach Billy Napier stack up against other SEC coaches in USA TODAY’s rankings?

Billy Napier is entering his third season with the Florida football program and some could argue that this could be a make-it-or-break-it year for the Gators head coach.

With an 11-14 record during his head coaching career in Gainesville, Napier needs to have a winning season in hopes of keeping his job safe — but it certainly doesn’t help to have the toughest schedule in the country. And unfortunately, that’s what comes with the reality of today’s SEC.

USA TODAY Sports writer Blake Toppmeyer ranked Napier towards the bottom of the list of SEC head coaches entering the 2024 season at No. 14. It will be interesting to see if the Florida head coach can shock the country and somehow make it a competitive season for the Gators.

What USA TODAY says about Napier

“Napier finally dropped his lukewarm approach to the transfer portal this offseason, and he assembled his best roster to date. Too little, too late? Even [autotag]Steve Spurrier[/autotag] questioned the program’s direction. That’s tough to live down,” Toppmeyer wrote.

Toppmeyer went on to mention how time has essentially run out for Napier and this is the year to prove he can turn things around. But again, the schedule doesn’t particularly help him and his team out.

“If Napier had the benefit of a longer runway, he might eventually generate momentum, but Florida isn’t known for patience, and the schedule is brutal.”

Top 10 SEC coaches

Toppmeyer has Kirby Smart (Georgia Bulldogs) at the top of the list followed by Brian Kelly (LSU Tigers), Steve Sarkisian (Texas Longhorns), Kalen DeBoer (Alabama Crimson Tide) and Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss Rebels), rounding out the top five.

Josh Heupel (Tennessee Volunteers) came in at sixth followed by Eliah Drinkwitz (Missouri Tigers), Mark Stoops (Kentucky Wildcats), Hugh Freeze (Auburn Tigers) and Mike Elko (Texas A&M).

Florida’s season opener for 2024

The Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes square off on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida to open their schedule for the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Danny Stutsman selected to USA TODAY Sports preseason All-American team

Oklahoma’s leader on defense adds another preseason accolade ahead of his senior year.

It was a breakout season for [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] in 2023. He was so good that he could have declared for the NFL draft and would have likely been a top 100 pick in 2024. However, Stutsman opted to forgo the draft and return to Oklahoma for his senior season, providing the Sooners defense with playmaking and leadership as OU heads into the SEC.

As Stutsman prepares for his senior season, he’s considered one of the best defenders in the country. The Sooners linebacker was named to the Walter Camp preseason All-American team and was a first-team All-SEC selection by the media. Stutsman has been named to a number of watch lists ahead of the 2024 season and can now add one more accolade to his preseason resume.

On Monday, Stutsman was named to the first team of USA TODAY Sports All-American team. LSU‘s Harold Perkins and Iowa‘s Jay Higgins were the other linebackers named to the first team.

Stutsman’s hoping to build upon a 2023 season in which he racked up 104 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception. If the Sooners are going to realize their potential on defense in 2024, Danny Stutsman will be leading the way.

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