Former Gator great is high on Florida, sees wins over Texas and Georgia

Count Chris Doering among the believers in the Gators this season. And that includes wins over Texas and Georgia.

His opinion shouldn't be much of a shock. Doering, a former Gators wide receiver who earned second-team All-American honors in 1995, has always been very optimistic when it comes to his alma mater. But surprisingly, Doering wasn't ready to go all-in on the Gators making the playoffs when he spoke with On3/Rivals reporter Keith Neibuhr.

Doering predicted losses to LSU and Texas A&M as well and was stuck between the Gators finishing 8-4 or 9-3.

"I try to find those other two losses and it’s difficult," Doering said. "So maybe they end up being a 9-3 team. If they’re a 9-3 team with this schedule, I have no doubt that they’re a College Football Playoff team.”

Lagway's health is the main reason for pause

Doering was admittedly concerned about D.J. Lagway's ability to stay healthy all season. The sophomore has seemingly been battling injuries since he arrived in Gainesville and missed some time in camp before Billy Napier announced he was a 100 percent participant in practice and ready to go for the season opener. 

"I'm obviously concerned about his durability and his ability to be on the field. What do they say, 'the best ability is availability?, " Doering said. "I think Florida's ceiling and floor are very wide given him on the field versus not being able to play."

Doering also added that Lagway's missed time over the summer was a missed opportunity to build chemistry with his receivers, and he wonders if that missed time will show itself on game day.

"That's what I want to see. Is there any sort of rust between Lagway and his receivers? Is there a lack of communication, non-verbal communication? Do they have a good feel for one another? Those are the things that you develop when you get a chance to play a lot in the offseason together. "

Doering goes deeper into the Gators roster, talks about the improved play on both sides of the line and why he believes this is by far Napier's best roster since he's been at Florida. It's a good conversation and well worth checking out.