Storied SEC Program Facing 'Incredible Challenge' Heading Into 2024

Many programs will be heading into a pivotal year in 2024. PFF's Mitch Kaiser ranked the five teams under immense pressure this season.

Simply reaching a bowl game is enough for some programs to turn the corner. However, some college football coaches are starting to find themselves on the hot seat.

The Florida Gators are entering year three with Billy Napier. Napier took the Gators to a bowl game in 2022, but they still have not had a winning season under him in Gainesville.

Florida is not helped by the fact that it has one of the stricter schedules for 2024. Kaiser described this season as an "incredible challenge" for the program.

"The 2024 season will present an incredible challenge for the Gators, who may have the hardest schedule in college football, going through the normal SEC gauntlet in addition to facing Miami, UCF, and Florida State," Kaiser said. "Winning six games could be a significant challenge."

Here's Florida's 2024 schedule:

Aug. 31: vs. Miami Hurricanes
Sept. 7: vs. Samford Bulldogs
Sept. 14: vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Sept. 21: at Mississippi State Bulldogs
Oct. 5: vs. UCF Knights
Oct. 12: at Tennessee Volunteers
Oct. 19: vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Nov. 2: Neutral Site vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Nov. 9: at Texas Longhorns
Nov. 16: vs. LSU Tigers
Nov. 23: vs. Ole Miss Rebels
Nov. 30: at Florida State Seminoles

If Napier does not get over the hump this season, things could get ugly in Gainesville.

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