Greg McElroy Defends Top SEC Head Coach From Hot Seat Discussions

The 2024 season will be a big year for many programs and their head coaches, who will be evaluating whether they can take that next step. Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman, Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal, and Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier are entering a massive make-or-break season.

Greg McElroy discussed Florida head coach Billy Napier on a recent episode of " Always College Football ." Napier is entering a crucial year for his tenure at Florida. The Gators have not won more than six games in a season under Napier.

McElroy talked about what a win over Miami in Week 1 could do for Napier and predicted the kind of season Florida will have. McElroy thinks Florida will be bowl-eligible with seven wins and some surprising victories.

Last season, Florida upset the Tennessee Volunteers in Gainesville. Tennessee was ranked No. 11 coming into the matchup. Napier also upset the Utah Utes in 2022. The Utes were ranked No. 7 at the time.

"...Now, how would it affect Billy Napier?," McElroy said. "I think it would take the monkey off his back to a certain extent. People have already put him on the hot seat and all sorts of stuff. I don't subscribe to that necessarily because I think he's got a good team this year, and I think they're going to get to bowl eligible. I think they're gonna get to seven, and it wouldn't surprise me if they shock some folks along the way."

Florida returns top players like quarterback Graham Mertz, running back Montrell Johnson Jr., receiver Trey Wilson III, and safety Jordan Castell. Johnson Jr. suffered a knee injury during fall camp and is week-to-week.

The Gators take on the Hurricanes on Aug. 31 in "The Swamp." Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Related: Greg McElroy Reveals Keys For A Potential Florida Over Miami Upset In Week 1