Florida football: 3 reasons the Gators can go 8-4, and 3 for 4-8
By Will Thomas
![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gestures alongside Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15), Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2), and Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) during fall football practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 5, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F480a5b26fd88c46cc6584e625d49514ed8d5ea53369dc6ed817b549db865e63c.jpg "Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gestures alongside Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15), Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2), and Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) during fall football practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 5, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]")
Florida football has both a low floor and a decently high ceiling this year. We’ve talked about that endlessly all summer. I know you’re tired of hearing about it.
But with this Gators team, it is interesting to look at the variables that if they go the right way, could lead them to an 8-4, or maybe even a 9-3 season.
However, there are just as many variables that could go south and bury Florida down in the SEC.
Here are three reasons why the Gators could surprise everyone and be 8-4, and three more that could cause them to be down at 4-8.
Reason No.1 Florida football gets eight wins: The running backs are as advertised
All summer, Gator fans have been excited to see what Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson can do in their second year as a backfield tandem.
With Etienne’s explosiveness and Montrell’s physicality, they form a perfect two-headed monster that can be a nightmare for defenses to plan for.
As long as they’re healthy, I don’t see why they won’t be even better than people are saying. Both now have a year of SEC experience under their belt, will be behind an offensive line with tons of talent from the transfer portal, and will be the focal point of the offense with Anthony Richardson now in the NFL.
Being able to control the game and dominate time of possession with the run game is what wins a lot of matchups in the fall. The Gators have the perfect formula to do that each and every week, and it could buy them a few extra wins that come down to the wire.