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ESPN is already gearing up for the 2025 college football season this fall. The Worldwide Leader has put together its way-too-early top 25 rankings and now is taking a look at those top teams and their schedules this fall.
In ESPN’s way-too-early top-25 rankings, the Florida Gators check in at No. 19. The Gators again have one of the toughest schedules in the SEC, and nationally, entering this season.
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With so many big games, which contest will define Florida’s season? ESPN analyst Harry Lyles Jr. went with the road game at LSU on Sept. 13.
Prior to last season’s victory, Florida had lost five consecutive games against LSU. Florida finished the 2024 season strong, in part because of momentum gained after its win over then-No. 22 LSU in mid-November. The Gators went on to post four consecutive wins, showing a great measure of improvement from the team they were earlier in the season. In 2025, the Gators open their SEC slate on the road in Baton Rouge, and a win in that game against what will be one of the better quarterbacks they see all season in Garrett Nussmeier would go a long way in setting the table for the rest of their season. A loss in this game wouldn’t ruin their season by any stretch with the 12-team playoff format, but there could be tons to gain with a solid victory in one of the toughest places to play in college football with quarterback DJ Lagway in his first full season as the starter.
For the first time in his tenure, Florida coach Billy Napier has some momentum. After disappointing finishes to Year 1 and Year 2, the Gators ended Napier’s Year 3 on a 4-game winning streak that included victories over ranked LSU and Ole Miss teams. Former 5-star recruit DJ Lagway returns as starting quarterback in his sophomore season after taking over for Graham Mertz who suffered a season-ending injury.
While 8-5 is not the standard at UF, it was an impressive record considering a schedule that also included Miami, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Georgia and Texas. The Gators will be facing all the same SEC squads in 2025, as well as completing the home-and-home with the Hurricanes.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
