Unlike FSU, at least the Florida Gators have stability heading to the future
If you have read any of our content here at Hail Florida Hail over the offseason, you know that we are not naive to the specific problems that have plagued the Gators over the past two seasons since Billy Napier took over as head coach. These include a win-loss record of 11-14, the disintegration of their top-rated 2024 recruiting class, and the disappointment of losing twice in a row to FSU.
Yet, heading into the 2024 season, the Gators are in a much stronger position as an athletic institution than their neighbors to the west.
Florida Football: Win The War
Since getting left of out the college football playoffs last season, FSU has made a ton of noise about their displeasure of being left out. They have blamed everyone from Kirk Herbstreit to their own conference and, along the way, have filed multiple lawsuits in their quest to get out of the ACC.
The problem for FSU is that they have been so hell-bent on leaving that they have ignored the step of making sure they have a home once they leave.
During SEC Media Days this week, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey made it clear he hasn't been impressed with FSU's look at me routine.
"Georgia was one of the best four teams (in the nation) and didn't get in (the Playoff). But you didn't see us jumping up and down and complaining and hanging national championship banners."
- Greg Sankey
Later in the week, he was asked about whether or not the conference had any interest in adding FSU. He once again made it clear he wasn't a fan.
The SEC commissioner doesn't seem too interested in adding Florida’s neighbor to the west to the conference.
Posted by Hail Florida Hail on Thursday, July 18, 2024
The troll comments that are bound to follow from FSU fans are predictable.
"We oWN yoU! EnJOy SUNbelT BIllY GeTTIng stuFFed INto a lockER!"
Don't mistake short-term success for long-term sustainability.
It's increasingly clear that the SEC and Big 10 are positioning themselves as the two main conferences in college football, with the Big 12 and ACC getting the leftover scraps. With the Big 10 and SEC giving FSU the cold shoulder, their only option is to be friends with UCF in the Big 12.
Hell, USF is in a better position to be in a Power Two conference right now than FSU.
The Gators have their fair share of problems and will have their own challenges during 2024. But if the past nine months have taught us anything, it's that if and when Florida is at its peak, it is a much prettier view at the top than the one the neighbors to the west get when they summit their peak.
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