Florida Gators Preview | Expert Predictions & Best Bets for 2024

Florida Gators Preview, Predictions & Season Win Total Pick

Even with Billy Napier’s track record as a head coach in the college ranks, he’s still coaching for his job in 2024 with the Florida Gators. The Gators need to turn things around quickly, and although there are some encouraging signs for the future, right now, the team has just a win total set at 4.5. That doesn’t inspire confidence for a program that needs to start stringing together victories. 

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Florida Gators Preview

2023 Record: 5-7 (3-5); SEC Finish: 4th in SEC East
AP Poll: NA | Coaches Poll: NA | PFF: No. 34
Head Coach: Billy Napier 51-26 (33-15) | 3rd Season | Overall: 51-26
Defensive Coordinator: Austin Armstrong | Co-Offensive Coordinator: Rob Sale/Russ Callaway

Florida Gators Futures Odds (FanDuel)

National Championship Odds: +30000 | CFB Playoff Odds: +2500
SEC Championship Odds: +8000 
Regular Season Wins: OVER 4.5 -152 | UNDER 4.5 +124

Florida Preview: Why You Should Be Bullish

With many elite teams in the SEC in 2024 (color me shocked), the Florida Gators’ goal should be to find themselves in a bowl game. There are at least some reasons to be optimistic about this group on offense, which will need to carry the bulk of the load to find success. The Gators have playmakers all over the field for Graham Mertz to target, which should create plenty of scores. The issue is whether or not the defense can get enough stops to elevate the team to wins. 

Florida Preview: Why You Should Be Bearish

Let’s put it this way: It’s not going to be difficult to pass the ball against the Gators on defense. The transfer portal was catastrophic for the Gators this offseason, including the departure of edge rusher Princely Umanmielen. The secondary already struggled with consistency last year, and the subtractions via the portal won’t make things easier for Florida in 2024. 

Breakout Player: WR Elijhah Badger

Even with some clear talent on offense, the Gators need players to break out to find tangible success as a program. Arizona State transfer Elijhah Badger is a name we’re highlighting. He’s coming off a year with over 700 receiving yards, but in an offense that we expect to put up points, it won’t be surprising if he goes above and beyond that number to really burst onto the scene in 2024. 

Florida X-Factor: QB Graham Mertz

Mertz has the chance to solidify himself as a top quarterback prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. Yes, he has competition to be one of the top five quarterbacks off the board, but he’s right in the mix after the cream of the crop. If Mertz can effectively utilize the high-end tools that the Gators have on offense, it’ll go a long way in creating some respect for this program again. 

Florida Schedule Analysis

The back half of the Florida Gators schedule in 2024 is the equivalent of a Halloween haunt. It starts on October 12 against No.15 Tennessee. Two weeks later, the Gators take on No.1 Georgia in the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party. Followed by Georgia are No.4 Texas, No.13 LSU, No.6 Ole Miss, and No.10 Florida State. It’s not exactly hard to envision the Gators going 0-6 during that stretch. Florida must start hot if they aspire to play in a bowl game in 2024. 

Florida Prediction: OVER/UNDER 4.5 Wins

Even though we’re extremely bearish on how the Gators’ schedule will end, that doesn’t mean we’re not bullish on them to go over their win total in 2024. They can potentially win at least six matchups on their schedule, which doesn’t even factor in potential upsets. It’ll take some work, but we’ll likely know in the first half of the year whether or not this ticket will be good. We’ll ride with the money coming in on the over. 

Florida Preseason Pick

OVER 4.5 (-152) (FanDuel Sportsbook)

Florida Best Bets

There are real question marks with this group, but there are also things to be bullish about. Even with the losses through the portal, this offense is good enough to put up points, which is what they’ll need to do to go over the number. We like the over for the 2024 season.

SEC Previews: Arkansas | Auburn | Kentucky | LSU | Mississippi State | Missouri | Oklahoma| South Carolina | Tennessee  | Texas A&M | Vanderbilt

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