Evaluating Florida football in reimagined Southeastern Conference

July 1 marked the date that the Southeastern Conference officially expanded to 16 teams, adding the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns — two storied institutions in multiple sports — to an already packed roster of member schools.

The expansion of the SEC represents another step toward a new world order of sorts for college football, and the Florida Gators are definitely experiencing those winds of change. One of five conference programs to have won a national title in the last 20 years, during which time the SEC took home 13 of the 20 championship trophies, things are off to a tough start for the Orange and Blue.

“Is this the toughest schedule in the modern era of college football? A case could be made,” The Athletic’s Kennington Smith III begins. “Am I betting on Florida to surpass its 4.5 over/under win total (BetMGM)? Yes, I am.”

Silver linings for Florida

“It has been a tough start with the Gators for Billy Napier, but talent acquisition hasn’t been the issue: Florida’s 63% blue-chip rate according to Bud Elliott is 11th nationally and higher than every team on the Gators’ schedule except for Georgia, Texas and LSU,” Smith offers.

Gators are in good hands with Graham Mertz

“There are good pieces: Quarterback Graham Mertz completed 72.3 percent of his passes with just three turnovers a season ago, running back Montrell Johnson is the second-leading returning rusher in the SEC, and the Gators signed the No. 5 transfer portal class.”

It all starts with Game 1

“Early swing games could determine Florida’s season. Miami (Week 1) is a talented but underachieving program. The Gators open SEC play with Texas A&M (Week 3) and Mississippi State (Week 4) under first-year coaches. Central Florida (Week 5) should be improved, but that’s certainly a winnable game.

“

is Week 6, but that’s a series Florida has dominated recently. Napier’s seat is pretty warm for July, but some early wins could cool it off.”

Florida’s 2024 season opener

The Florida and Miami open their schedule on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida. Kickoff time is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

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