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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]
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] /
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Florida Gators offensive lineman Christian Williams (56), Florida Gators offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun (65), and Florida Gators offensive lineman Richie Leonard IV (67) rest during warmups before the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 12, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs South Carolina GamecocksSyndication Gainesville Sun /

Reason No.1 Florida football gets four wins: The offensive line can’t stay consistent

The Gators have plenty of talent and size on the offensive line. They return guys like Richie Leonard and Kingsley Egaukun and bring in big guys from the transfer portal like Damieon George and Micah Mazzccua.

While the starting OL looks great on paper, it could go downhill fast.

Mazzccua has already dealt with some injuries in fall camp, and the Gators lost Kiyaunta Goodwin who had to transfer due to family issues.

With the physicality that the SEC brings, no OL is going to get through a 12-game slate without any injuries.

So the big questions are can the Gators stay (mostly) healthy, and can their depth pieces step up when they’re needed to?

If all goes well, the Gator offense will be humming along with their ground game and impose their will on defenses all fall.

But if things go south and the running game can’t succeed, suddenly the offense will be in bad positions where Graham Mertz is forced to be Superman.

That can derail a team quickly and put them in a big hole before they can even blink. Hopefully, the OL will be strong, steady, and healthy so the Gators can thrive.

But the biggest potential reason for this team falling off lies with the offensive line.

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