Florida football: How important is it that the Gators blow out McNeese St?

Florida football is just under 24 hours away from their 2023 home opener when they’ll host McNeese State under the lights in The Swamp at 7:30 pm ET.

After a rocky week one, some people are starting to turn on Billy Napier and ask when he’ll start to turn Florida around.

With a big game against Tennessee looming in eight days, the Gators need to get something going this weekend to put themselves in a good spot heading into their game against the Vols.

With all this in mind, how important is it that the Gators blow out McNeese State?

Florida football: Take care of business

When a team like McNeese State comes into The Swamp, the expectation is that they leave questioning whether or not they ever want to play football again.

This time around, that seems even more important for Billy Napier and the Gators.

Let’s say that Florida comes out slow and sluggish, can’t really get the ball moving, and heads into halftime with only 14 points.

Fans will be at Napier’s head before he can even get the team sat down in the locker room. A lot of people are demanding a flawless game this weekend after a rough start last week against Utah.

So if they come out slow again and look unprepared (god forbid they have the same number on the field twice) things could get restless in The Swamp very fast.

And if things go downhill and it isn’t a very convincing win this weekend, there won’t be a whole lot of optimism when Tennessee comes to town.

While the manner of victory won’t have a huge impact on the players and coaches either way, the fans and critics will be loud if it isn’t a blowout.

So as far as Napier’s public perception goes, and when it comes to Florida fans staying patient with him, it’s pretty important that Florida hammers the Cowboys early and often.