Billy Napier and Florida football had a chance on rivalry weekend to make the biggest upset of the entire college football season by beating No. 5 Florida State, ending the Seminoles College Football Playoff aspirations. But the Gators, like they have all season, fell short, withering in the end to lose 24-15.
The Gators' loss to the Seminoles on Saturday night was their last chance to gain their sixth victory of the season to earn bowl eligibility. Instead, falling to 5-7, Florida and their fans will now be sitting at home during bowl season for the first time since 2017. Considering the outcome, this has to be nothing short of a massively disappointing season if you're Napier and Florida, with much needing to be changed, from roster to staff.
Billy Napier leads Florida football to another disappointing season, continuing setback from program
Napier entered the season facing much criticism to begin with. His first season in Gainesville wasn't exactly one to be remembered. The Gators ended the last year with three straight losses, the most embarrassing of those against a Vanderbilt team that ended up winning just five games and that hadn't beaten Florida in their last eight attempts. It was also a game in which Florida never led once, losing 31-24.
The next week, the Gators were able to put up more of a fight against the Seminoles, although it was all for naught. But at least last year Napier's team was already bowl eligible, not needing a win over Florida State. The Las Vegas Bowl, however, was yet another unpleasant sight as Oregon State bludgeoned Florida 30-3.
It didn't help that Florida also suffered losses to other rivals last season as well, like Tennessee, who hadn't beaten the Gators since 2016. It was clear that the remnants of Dan Mullen's tenure still seemed to be alive and well, as Florida finished with yet another disappointing 6-7 season in Napier's first season, the same as the two previous.
The lack of success and progression has put the Florida football program at a critical juncture now with Napier, as they have continuously whiffed on their past three head coaching hires, which dates back all the way to 2011. Since Urban Meyer's abrupt departure, Florida has had only four double-digit win seasons since 2011 and have yet to ever make a College Football Playoff appearance. The Gators also haven't won the SEC Championship since 2008, although they have won the SEC East division four times since 2011.
That long without meaningful, competitive, national championship-level football is something that won't be tolerated much longer in Gainesville before the fans become unkempt and pleading for change again. It was only Year 2 for Napier, but it was a season of regression, with one less win than the previous season.
Billy Napier and Florida football had opportunity to redeem season with win over Florida State
There may not have been all the right elements in place for Napier and the Gators last Saturday night, but there was enough to pull off a much-needed upset. An upset that could have more or less cooled the fires that are undoubtedly under Napier's seat.
Napier had the advantage, first and foremost, of Ben-Hill Griffin Stadium, otherwise known as The Swamp. Florida football was awful on the road this season, losing four of their seven games. That meant that not only did the Gators not have to worry about their travel woes, but they had the advantage of their home crowd to lead them to victory, a place that has not done well for visitors. Just ask Tennessee, whom Florida upset earlier in the season.
It was also rivalry week, which has proven time and time again in college football a weekend where anything can happen, including major upsets. Not only that, but Florida State was having to start their second-string quarterback due to Jordan Travis suffering a season-ending injury the week prior. It still wasn't enough for the Gators to earn a victory.
Of course, it should be mentioned that Florida had their own problems at quarterback. They lost Graham Mertz for the season near the end of the Missouri game the week before. Is that a good enough excuse for Napier in Year 2?
Florida football had chances to win six or more games
Florida blew chances to attain six wins well before the Florida State game. Just go back to the week before where they allowed Missouri quarterback Brady Cook, with 1:36 remaining, to drive the Tigers down the field, allowing Harrison Mervis to hit a go-ahead 30-yard field goal with only seven seconds remaining. Or weeks before that where Arkansas won for the very first time at The Swamp, beating the Gators 39-36 in overtime.
Napier is allowing things to happen to Florida football that have never or should never happen, such as having a defense that averaged giving up 406.4 yards and 29.5 points per game. Or watching a Kentucky team rush for 329 yards in a 33-14 routing. But it's also watching the undisciplined nature of his players, like Jamari Lyons being ejected for spitting on a Florida State lineman. That's what puts Napier's job in question, and why entering 2024 he's firmly on the hot seat, with little room for error.
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