For the most part, the national media has been optimistic about the Florida Gators entering the 2025 season. After ending 2024 with momentum and having the prospect of a healthy DJ Lagway, Florida has been viewed in a number of preseason rankings as a playoff contender this season.
But the US LBM Coaches Poll (formerly known as the USA Today Coaches Poll) just dropped, and it paints a picture of an uphill battle for Florida in 2025.
Florida ranked 17th in the preseason poll
The Gators came in at 17th nationally in the Coaches Poll. Florida came in one spot ahead of Tennessee and was also ranked ahead of Texas A&M, but Florida was also ranked behind Texas (1), Georgia (4), LSU (9), Miami (10), and Ole Miss (15).
If the chalk from this poll holds, Florida goes 7-5 in 2025 and Billy Napier probably doesn't make it back for 2026.
It highlights once again just how brutal Florida's schedule has the chance to be in 2025, especially considering that of the five teams on Florida's schedule ranked ahead of them, only one of those games will be played at The Swamp.
But even if one removes who is or is not ranked ahead of Florida, the Gators are going to have to rise up in the polls by season's end for 2025 to be considered a success.
We here at Hail Florida Hail have taken the stance of playoffs or bust for Napier this year. And as we have pointed out, if you think we are being harsh, the three previous coaches for Florida would have all made the playoffs within their first two seasons in Gainesville had those coaches had the benefit of expanded playoffs.
Napier is entering year four at the helm and has been eliminated from playoff contention by September in all three of his previous seasons.
So indeed, Florida is going to have to live up to the "Spot the ball" mantra, because there is very little breathing room awaiting on the other side.