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What Florida’s last three 5-2 starts reveal about the opportunity ahead

Florida’s 5-2 start brings back memories of strong finishes and one complete collapse
ByBenjamin Henderson
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Nov 26, 2005; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer on the sidelines during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2005 Jason Parkhurst
Nov 26, 2005; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer on the sidelines during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2005 Jason Parkhurst | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Florida is on its bye week, and after a chaotic first seve weeks, the Gators are sitting at 5-2. All things considered, it’s not a bad spot for Florida to be, and there is a pathway to finish the 2026 campaign on a high note.

It is the 4th time in the last 30 years that Florida has started a season 5-2 on the dot. So let’s take a look at the other three instances where Florida started 5-2 and how those seasons panned out.

3 times Florida has previously started 5-2

2005

2005 is the only case where Florida dropped to 5-2 after a loss as opposed to coming off a win. In this case, they had a 4th-quarter lead, but a 12-play LSU drive scored the game-winning TD as Florida lost 21-17.

For the most part, Florida rebounded in Urban Meyer’s debut season. They would go on to beat Georgia and Vanderbilt, but a frustrating afternoon against South Carolina cost Florida a shot at the SEC title.

Florida would rebound to beat FSU and Iowa to finish the year 9-3.

2007

One year removed from their national title and in the midst of Tim Tebow’s Heisman-winning season, Florida suffered back-to-back losses to Auburn and LSU before beating Kentucky to reach 5-2.

Florida would come out of the bye week and lose to Georgia in a game most remembered for the Bulldogs storming the field after their opening TD, a decision Meyer didn’t let them forget the following year. 

The Gators would reel off four straight wins, including a 45-12 stomping of FSU. Florida would lose to Michigan in the Citrus Bowl to finish 9-4.

2023

Talk about a collapse in 2023. The Gators were riding high after a dramatic win over South Carolina and had a ton of recruiting momentum at their sails. 

Then they got stomped by Georgia, which wasn’t great, but there was still a pathway for a strong finish.

Then Florida didn’t know how to line up for a field goal against Arkansas.

Then Jayden Daniels and LSU set a literal college football record against the Gators.

Then Florida gave up a 4th-and-17 to Missouri.

Then Florida tried an ill-fated double reverse flea-flicker against FSU.

Five straight losses, a 5-7 finish, and the recruiting class collapsed.

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