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ESPN analyst calls Florida-Utah ‘most important game’ for Billy Napier so far
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ESPN analyst Booger McFarland recently stated that the season-opening game between Florida and Utah is the “most important game” of Billy Napier’s career to this point.
“Win and everyone starts to forget about last year,” explained McFarland. ” Lose and last year gets compounded.”
Feels like tomorrow night is the most important game in the Billy Napier era so far. Win and everyone starts to forget about last year. Lose and last year gets compounded
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) August 30, 2023
McFarland is of course referring to Napier’s lackluster debut season in Gainesville in which the Gators went 3-5 in the SEC and 6-7 overall. Florida is a program that expects to compete every season, so McFarland may have a point that Napier could start feeling the heat with a poor start to this season.
Napier’s Gators got the best of the Utes to open the 2022 season in Gainesville. However, this game will be played in Utah, which provides a whole different dynamic. The Utes are heavy favorites with ESPN’s FPI giving the team a 73.6% chance to start 1-0.
However, a win for Florida would set the team up in a great position. The team’s other September non-conference games should be easy wins, with matchups against McNeese State and Charlotte. If the Gators can win these 3 games, only 3 SEC wins need to be picked up for bowl eligibility. Lose to Utah, though, and the whole season could snowball.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
