Florida football: The five hardest games on the Gators’ 2023 schedule

Florida football is heading into 2023 with positive expectations, but a tough road ahead of them. Playing in the SEC means you automatically have a hard schedule coming, but the Gators have a really tough task ahead of them this year.

We’ve already written about what On3 thinks of the Gators’ schedule as a whole.

But now let’s take a more specific look at what makes the schedule so difficult. Which teams and matchups will give the Gators the most trouble?

Today, we’re going through the five hardest games on the Gators’ schedule.

No. 5: Florida football vs Florida State

The past few years haven’t given us the marquee UF-FSU matchups of the past because the programs have been down.

And sure, the Gators are pretty much still down, but this game being in The Swamp should make it one of the best games of the year.

After a close finish in Tallahassee last season, Florida is looking to defend their home turf and get the Noles back.

By the time we get to the final week of the season, we’ll actually know who both of these teams are. We’ll know if the Gators have any pulse on offense and if the defense is improved. We’ll also know if all this Natty hype around FSU has any legitimacy.

Jordan Travis and his stock of great wideouts are back, which will be the area that Billy Napier makes his defense focus on after last season.

This should be a fantastic game to close out the regular season.

And if it means anything to anybody, ESPN Analytics says that the Gators have a 50.3% chance to win this one. Let’s go.