Two truths and a lie for Florida Football after losing to Georgia

Coming out of Saturday's contest in Jacksonville, it is almost impossible to give Florida Football a fair evaluation. DJ Lagway got hurt, but there were also problems we have seen time and again for the Gators.

It's with that in mind that here are two truths and a lie for the Gators heading into this week's contest against Texas.

Truth: Florida Had A Real Chance To Win If DJ Lagway Stays Healthy

Yes, Georgia has plenty of players who get hurt, too, but the drop-off from DJ Lagway to his replacement was by far the largest drop-off for any player to their replacement on Saturday.

In the four drives that DJ Lagway started and finished, the Gators scored 10 points and only had one three-and-out. After Lagway got hurt, Florida went three and out on six of their next eight drives with Aidan Warner under center.

So there is no guarantee that Florida wins with Lagway, but there is a pathway where Florida at least moves the ball enough to prevent their defense from getting tired, and he maintains an average of 2.5 points per drive; it's not impossible to think Florida could have gotten over the hump.

Truth: There Is Always "Something" That Prevents Billy Napier From Winning

If moral victories carried the same weight as actual victories, Billy Napier could be 22-11 as Florida's coach rather than 15-18. However, the problem for Napier is that there is always something getting in the way of an actual victory that shouldn't keep happening in year three of his tenure.

Against Tennessee, it was the end of the half field goal sequence that prevented an extra three points.

Last year, we all know the greatest hits from double number three, to the botched field goal sequence against Arkansas, to 4th and 17, to the double reverse flea flicker.

And even in his first season, moments like the pick-six Anthony Richardson threw against Kentucky or the muffed punt into the endzone from Xzavier Henderson against Vanderbilt got in the way of some wins.

Well, once again, it was an unforced error by the Gators that prevented them from taking a second-half lead when an attempted field goal went sailing 30 yards into the backfield, setting up Georgia for a go-ahead touchdown of their own.

As we wrote after the game, the issue is Napier's claim that Florida is a process-oriented program. But time and time again, the operation on the field doesn't resemble a squad that has the basics down, and so we have to hold our breath. The Gators can do things correctly that a well-coached JV squad can do.

Lie: Aidan Warner Is The Best Option If Lagway Is Hurt

It surprised many Gator fans that Aidan Warner became the third-string QB over Clay Millen, given their profiles in the transfer portal. Millen started the 2022 season for Colorado State and had Graham Mertz-like numbers. Warner didn't even play a snap at Yale.

It is possible that Warner legitimately won the job over Millen, and that's why he was given the first crack at breaking down the Georgia defense. But at some point, a coach has to look at what is happening on the field and try something else because it can't possibly get worse.

Coming out of halftime, five of Florida's first six drives were a three and out. The one drive Florida had some movement was a ten-play drive where Warner completed all of two passes for 13 yards.

If Millen was healthy and available, there is little reason why Napier shouldn't have at least tried him for a drive or two because the results literally couldn't have been worse.