The Toughest Games on the Gators’ Schedule This Year
By Will Thomas
Year one under Billy Napier is bringing lots of excitement to Gainesville, although expectations for the Gators vary a lot from person to person. Some think it’ll be a slow transition, and UF will win 6-7 games again, while some optimists feel that Napier will have immediate success, and get to 9 or 10 wins in year one.
I won’t get into wins and losses yet, but what are the toughest games that the Gators will have to play this year?
1: Vs. UGA 10/29
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody. Coming off a National Championship, the Bulldogs will certainly be among the favorites to make the CFP again, and despite losing double-digit players to the draft, return lots of talent.
After a blowout loss last season, Napier will come in looking to turn the tides back in UF’s favor at the WLOCP.
2: @ Texas A&M 11/5
It’s never easy to go win a game in College Station, which the Gators learned the hard way two years ago, where they lost to the Aggies on a game winning field goal.
Jimbo Fisher’s squad will be even better this year, as they’re recruiting classes the last 3 years have ranked 6th, 8th, and 1st according to 247 Sports.
This game will be a huge test for the Gators, and could serve as a milestone win if UF has a successful season.
3: Vs Utah 9/3
Energy for the opening game of the Billy Napier era will be high in the Swamp. The Utes, who are coming off of a great season and a 3 point loss to Ohio St in the Rose Bowl, will be hungry to prove to the country that they’re still elite.
The game also has a little more significance than usual, as Mohamoud Diabate, a former Gator transferred to Utah this offseason.
This will be a big test of the team’s maturity and composure, as they need to beat a good opponent amidst the national attention of Napier’s debut.
4: @ Tennessee 9/24
Tennessee, with head coach Josh Heupel and QB Hendon Hooker, are starting to emerge as a legitimate threat in the SEC East.
After being routed in Gainesville 38-14 last season, the Vols will be inspired to at least make it more competitive this season. Playing in Knoxville is no joke either, and this is the Gators’ first road game of the season.
It will be a tough test of the mental strength of the team, and would be a huge win if the Gators can pull it off.
5: Vs LSU 10/15
Lots of eyes will be on LSU this year with new head man Brian Kelly. The Tigers were down last year, but still beat the Gators in Death Valley, 49-42.
UF-LSU always makes for an entertaining game, and their rivalry runs deep. This will be a defining moment in the season of whichever team comes out on top.
6: Vs Kentucky 9/10
I was struggling between Kentucky and South Carolina for this spot. I only put Kentucky because it’s the second game of the season, and with a new staff and new players, the Gators may still be looking for their identity.
Kentucky does also feature some good talent, most notably QB Will Levis, and head coach Mark Stoops has turned Kentucky into a solid team who can consistently compete in the SEC East.
7: Vs South Carolina 11/12
Like I said, this game is neck and neck with the Kentucky matchup. Head coach Shane Beamer is doing a great job transforming that program into a solid squad, and Oklahoma transfer Spencer Rattler has the potential to be one of the best QBs in the SEC.
After an embarrassing loss to the Gamecocks in Columbia last year, UF should be looking for revenge and come prepared for this matchup.
8: Vs Missouri 10/8
I think the only way the Gators can lose this game is if they look ahead to LSU and don’t focus on the task at hand. Missouri did beat the Gators last season, but that Gators squad wasn’t very inspired, and they’ll be hungry for revenge this season.
This matchup is turning into somewhat of a rivalry, as the teams had a brawl at halftime in 2020, and coaches Dan Mullen and Eliah Drinkwitz traded shots after their teams traded wins the past 2 years.
9: @ FSU 11/25
I can’t express how much I wanted to put FSU below Vandy on this list, but I figured because its a rivalry I’d give the Noles the 9 spot.
Not a lot is going right for Mike Norvell’s squad in Tallahassee, and they won’t be too competitive in the ACC again this season.
It should be another year where the Gators coast to state supremacy in Florida.
10: @ Vandy 11/19
Vandy has been on the bottom of the SEC for a few years now. The Gators have won their last 8 against the Commodores, including 2 shutouts in the last 3 years.
There isn’t much more to saw about this game, as the Gators will likely have another SEC victory coming in Nashville.
11: Vs EWU 10/1
Admittedly I don’t know enough about Eastern Washington’s team to make a very in-depth analysis of this game.
One potential challenge here is that this game comes after the Gators trip to Knoxville, so there could be a little hangover in the first half, but UF should still coast in this one.
12: Vs USF 9/17
The Gators beat the Bulls in Tampa 42-20 last season, and we can expect more of the same this year. In the Swamp, with two big games already under their belts, the Gators will be ready to roll through USF and prepare for their game against the Vols the following week.
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