The University of South Florida upset the Florida Gators in their home swamp on Saturday in what was perhaps the biggest win in program history, and what seems to be great launch pad for a program looking to move up in the college football world. For Florida, it was one of the most embarrassing losses of the Billy Napier era, and a stark reminder of just how far this once proud program has fallen.
Looking Ahead
The road does not get any easier for the Gators moving forward. Billy Napier’s squad faces 8 teams that are currently ranked 17 or higher in the most recent AP Poll, as well as a Kentucky team with a stout defense and a Mississippi State team that upset the reigning Big 12 champions in week two. For its road slate, Florida travels to LSU, Miami, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss. This was seen as a daunting schedule to start the year, with many pundits calling it the toughest schedule in the country. Now, after losing one of its two “easy” games of the year, this schedule looks insurmountable for the Gators.
Even if the schedule were not so brutal, this still does not look like a team that could win in the Southeastern Conference. Pass blocking is a major issue, play calling is abysmal, discipline is nonexistent, and DJ Lagway looks like he missed spring and fall ball. Among the few bright spots are Vernell Brown III on returns, and the defense. Tackling needs to improve a good deal, but the defense is nowhere near as atrocious as the offense.
The outlook is very simple; as of right now, one would be hard pressed to find two guaranteed wins on the remainder of this schedule. The issues that caused Florida to lose this game are not going away because the University cannot magically make the coach go away. The decision to keep Billy Napier seemed to pay off last year with a late season surge, but now disaster looms because of it. This season has potential to get extremely ugly and become one of the worst seasons in Florida football history.
Eric White
College Football Digest 