The Florida Gators fanbase has been looking for a reason to believe and, so far, this team and Jon Sumrall have hit all the right notes.
But Gainesville is ready to get back to the old days and there have been too many times in recent years when these fans have been teased with something great, and it hasn't come to fruition. We've already pointed out that this will be the first game where the Gators and their opponent are both ranked in the top 25 since September 10, 2022. That was a loss to Kentucky, which put a complete halt on any optimism that the fans had in Billy Napier.
The last time Florida won one of these matchups at home, you would have to go all the way back to October 5, 2019, when the then No. 10 Gators knocked off No. 7 Auburn, 24-13.
Florida fans want to believe so badly in this team and in Sumrall, but you can't blame them for being a little shy about going all-in.
Jon Sumrall called his shot for Florida's ascension back in the spring
Sumrall has had so many great press conferences — truly the guy is a gem for the people covering the program — and he says so much that it's easy for something to get lost in the shuffle. But after the spring game, Sumrall manifested the atmosphere we're going to see Saturday afternoon in the Swamp.
"This is a special place. This fanbase is passionate . . .championships are the standard and expectation. We've got to wake the beast up. I ain't a matter of if we're going to win here, it's how fast we're going to win. I'm not patient. I want it to happen every day," he said back then.
If there's anyone that deserves to have their patience rewarded, it's Gator fans. They've been ready to see a winner and a winning attitude back in Gainesville for a while. Every coach that's followed Urban Meyer has shown flashes.
Will Muschamp had an 11-win season in 2012. Jim McElwain had consecutive seasons finishing in the top 25 and reaching the SEC championship game in 2015 and 2016. Dan Mullen won 29 games and finished in the top 15 in his first three seasons before things quickly unraveled.
Florida fans just want someone that can have sustained success with the Gators and be excited about seeing it through to the finish line. Sumrall has made it clear that he wants to be that guy and Gator fans want him to be that guy. The Swamp is going to be pumped up to the max Saturday and ready to explode. Now it's on Sumrall and the Gators to push it over the top.
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