Florida Gators: Predicting Every Regular Season Game in 2023

Game 4: Florida Gators vs. Charlotte 

Last Meeting: 1st Meeting

On paper, this is another game where the Florida Gators should handle their business with ease. Charlotte plays in Conference USA and was one of the worst teams in the conference last year. Charlotte finished 2022 with a 3-9 overall record and a 2-6 mark in conference play.

They gave up at least 34 points in nine of their twelve games. Their defense ranked 129th in the country, giving up almost 40 points per game. Their offense was only marginally better, ranking 91st in the country and scoring 24.4 points per game. To make matters worse, Charlotte is also losing their starting QB and their top three wide receivers. With this being the 4th game of the season for the Gators, they should be primed and ready to play. Florida takes care of Charlotte in The Swamp.

Prediction: Charlotte 17-45 Florida

Game 5: Florida Gators @ Kentucky 

Last Meeting: #20 Kentucky 26-16 Florida

Since Dan Mullen became Florida football’s coach in 2018, Kentucky has felt more like a rival for the Gators. The Gators won 31 times in a row from 1986 to 2017. In 2018, Kentucky broke that streak by beating Florida in The Swamp. In the last five meetings, including 2018, the Wildcats are 3-2 against the Gators. While Kentucky has the upper hand, they never seem to be able to fully put the Gators away, as the three games that Kentucky have won recently have all been by eleven points or less.

In 2022 Kentucky’s defense led the way against the Gators. Anthony Richardson played horrendously against Kentucky, and the Gator offense only managed to score 16 points…at home. With the departure of Will Levis to the NFL Draft, Kentucky went out and grabbed one of the best QBs in the portal: NC State QB Devin Leary. Devin Leary started in six games for the Wolfpack before tearing a pectoral muscle against Florida State. While it can be difficult to predict how a player will fare after injury if Leary can get anywhere close to the QB he was in 2021 when he threw for 3,433 yards, 35 TDs, and 5 INTs on 65.7% completion, Kentucky’s offense will be just fine.

While Kentucky was good about keeping their opponents out of the end zone in 2022, they allowed 140 rushing yards per game. That was good for 49th in the country. If the defensive line doesn’t step up and take away rushing lanes, the Florida backfield could be in for a very big day against Kentucky. However, the offense seems to win games in this day and age, and until Florida proves me wrong, I expect Kentucky to have the better offense. They’ll squeeze out a win at home.

Prediction: Florida 27-31 Kentucky

Game 6: Florida Gators vs. Vanderbilt

Last Meeting: Florida 24-31 Vanderbilt

Internet trolls will, rightfully, have a go at the 2022 Florida Gators for losing to the Vanderbilt Commodores. Even with Florida football having a bad year, they were heavy favorites entering the game but just couldn’t seem to get anything going offensively on a cold day in Nashville, Tennessee. The defense couldn’t stop anything either, as they gave up 31 points to Vanderbilt (the most points allowed against Vanderbilt since 2013). But Florida doesn’t lose to Vanderbilt that often. They’ve met 56 times on the gridiron, with Vanderbilt winning just 11 times (2 ties).

The freshman phenom QB AJ Swann returns after taking over the starting role during the 2022 season. But with 1000-yard rusher Ray Davis opting to transfer to Kentucky, that makes AJ Swann’s job a little more difficult in 2023. Vanderbilt just doesn’t have the talent needed to compete consistently in the SEC. It’s nice to see them steal a win here and there against teams they should have no business beating, but Florida won’t be one of those wins for Vanderbilt in 2023. Florida handles Vanderbilt for homecoming.

Prediction: Vanderbilt 17-38