Unlike two years ago, Florida Football needs to not waste their bowl game opportunity

Two years ago, Florida Football took a trek out to Las Vegas for a bowl game, and it was a colossal waste of time for everyone who tried to watch. The 30-3 defeat at the hands of Oregon State painted a picture that Florida spent their entire bowl preparation doing anything but practicing football.

Florida doesn't know their bowl destination in 2024 just yet, but wherever they go, it will be a chance to work on some very real things that need to be ironed out by the time the 2025 season officially opens.

Florida Football: Going bowling

We here at Hail Florida Hail don't put a ton of stock into bowl games on the surface. Between opt-outs and the wining and dining that takes place during bowl week, the on-the-field product seldom represents the product teams showcase during the regular season.

But in the case of Florida, it is a very real chance to work on some things with DJ Lagway and showcase some potential key contributors for 2025.

One of the very real question marks for Florida heading into offseason is at wide receiver. Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike are departing after this season and Florida doesn't have a proven guy ready to step into their shoes.

Aidan Mizell, Eugene Wilson, Tank Hawkins, and Marcus Burke will be among the returners who get floated, but all have question marks that a bowl game could have showcased.

Mizell has looked explosive when given a chance, but his usage has been up and down. Wilson was hurt for the bulk of 2024, but questions will persist about whether Napier ever plans to let him run downfield to catch a pass. Hawkins was a player we were excited for coming into the season, given his speed, but like Mizell, he was never really used. And Burke is what he is at this point and was at the center of a route confusion that led to an interception against FSU.

Defensively, it is a chance to further bring along LJ McCray, who had a quiet 2024 campaign. Gregory Smith got 49 snaps against FSU after having just 31 all season prior to the game, and the bowl game will be a great chance for him to continue his development. Same goes for Jameer Grimsley, who snuck in for 22 snaps Saturday, and Aaron Chiles, who took 13 snaps.

The point is Florida has enough guys on the roster who may need to be key members of the 2025 squad that Florida can't just roll over and waste this bowl season with a lethargic effort.

A bowl win won't guarantee anything for 2025, but it can at least lay a foundation.