![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier argues with officials during the first quarter of an NCAA college football matchup Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Florida Gators 34-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_6000,h_3375/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01k0pazgsh6na3s12276.jpg "Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier argues with officials during the first quarter of an NCAA college football matchup Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Florida Gators 34-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
As the 2025 season approaches for the Florida Gators, most seem to believe that Florida should be in contention for a playoff bid if the Gators are who Billy Napier claims they are going to be.
But beyond the obvious pitfalls for this team, there are some hidden traps that may also derail the Gators in 2025 if they are not careful.
Cupcakes that aren't cupcakes
When most people talk about Florida's schedule, they acknowledge it is one of the most challenging in the country, but the sentiment seems to be that at least Florida will get to ease into things before taking on LSU.
And compared to what Florida has done the past three years, opening with a Power Four opponent, 2025 is going to allow the Gators to figure some things out before that massive matchup in Baton Rouge.
But, there is a bit of buyer beware when it comes to Florida's second game of the season.
While Florida should, key word should, beat USF by 20+ points, the Bulls have had a way of being scrappy the past couple of years against Power Four teams. USF gave Alabama fits two years in a row, and last year had a lead against Miami late in the 2nd quarter, which is more than Florida can claim.
Combined with the fact that the last time the Gators faced the Bulls, it took a botched snap from USF to allow Florida to escape, and this may not be the cupcake some think it is.
Schedule structure favors Florida's opponents
One of the very real pitfalls for Florida is who their opponents get to play the week before each matchup. When Florida takes on Miami, the Gators will be coming off their game against LSU, while the Hurricanes will be coming off a home game against USF (who will be entering that game off back-to-back games against Boise State and Florida).
Florida plays Texas off a bye, but the Longhorns moved their game against Sam Houston State a week earlier to give themselves a bye as well heading into the Florida game.
When Florida plays Texas A&M following the Texas game, the Aggies will be coming off their game against Mississippi State.
Florida will play Kentucky before facing Ole Miss, while the Rebels have their FCS game against The Citadel before the game against Florida. The same goes for Tennessee, which will play New Mexico State the week before they play the Gators.
Fumble recoveries
Florida had a bit of good fortune in 2024 that could easily derail the season in 2025 if their good fortune goes south.
As it was, the Gators had 1.5 turnovers per game, which was middle of the pack in the country. Thing is, it could have been a lot worse.
Florida averaged 0.7 fumbles NOT lost per game and had a fumble recovery percentage of 58%. The latter of that stat was 28th best in the country, and while some of that is a willingness to dive into a pile, there is also a decent amount of luck that goes into recovering a fumble.