Hail Florida Hail
Fansided

Florida Football would have benefited in 2025 if Alabama had made the playoffs

Thinking about Florida's schedule in 2025, it would have helped the Gators had Alabama made the playoffs

By Benjamin Henderson

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Auburn Tigers 28-14.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Auburn Tigers 28-14. / Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
facebooktwitterreddit

The inaugural 12-team playoff in college football is set, and Florida came nowhere near getting in. But we had been saying in the lead-up to the official bracket getting set that the playoff committee's choices in 2024 would have an impact going forward.

And the hope from Florida fans is that with a healthy DJ Lagway the Gators can make a run themselves into the playoffs in 2025. And while the playoff committee made the right call to not punish SMU for losing their conference title game, it would have painted a rosier pathway for Florida to make the playoffs in 2025 had they pushed Alabama into the field.

Florida Football: The past dictates the future

Florida is going to have just as difficult of a schedule in 2025 as it did in 2024. The hope, if you are the Gators, is that if they can flip some of their close losses next season that a 9-3 record would be enough to get into the playoffs because there would be enough quality wins on the resume to overcome three losses.

Alabama had wins over Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina and LSU. All of those teams were at least 8-4 or better. They also went on the road and smacked Wisconsin, a team that played Penn State and Oregon close.

The three best wins SMU can cling to are Duke, Louisville, and TCU.

Think of it this way: Alabama played four teams in 2024 who won at least nine games and went 3-1 in those games. SMU played three teams who won at least nine games and went 1-2.

Don't get it twisted: Alabama dug their own grave by losing to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. Win either of those games and this discussion doesn't happen.

But if you are Florida heading into 2025, you would have preferred a narrative from the committee that if you beat quality teams, it is going to give a buffer.

Ole Miss and South Carolina are in similar camps, and the message from the committee is clear: They don't care about your schedule. Go 10-2, or else.

Use that information as you wish when setting the bar for the Gators in 2025.

feed

Home/Florida Gators Football