Greg McElroy wants to focus on Florida roster, not schedule

Florida is entering a pivotal Year 3 under head coach Billy Napier, and much of the focus around the Gators has to do with the daunting schedule. But that’s not what one analyst wants to focus on.

Speaking about the Gators after SEC Media Days, ESPN’s Greg McElroy found himself agreeing with some comments from Napier at the event about the Florida roster being in a spot to compete. And just because oddsmakers and many are down on the Gators doesn’t mean McElroy is so glum.

“Because their roster is really good,” McElroy said. “I know Ricky Pearsall is gone, but they have Eugene Wilson, for example. So there are good pieces that are not there, but there also are young pieces that played a lot and had a ton of growing pains in the last couple years that are now poised to take over a role in their defense or offense and they should be much better as a result. So I think they’re still going to be able to run the football. The way Billy operates his offense, they’re always going to be able to run the football. But it’s defensively where they really need to take some strides and I think all the young players that got thrust in probably a little early last year will be more equipped to play competitive, consistent football against better competition.”

McElroy used the Gators’ over/under win total from one Las Vegas oddsmaker of 4.5 games to argue his point.

If someone asked him if Florida is more likely to win four games or win seven games in 2024, McElroy would pick the latter. And he thinks the Gators will do well to outperform the expectations most have of them this season.

“I think if you told me — Florida’s over/under win total is 4.5 — if you were to tell me ‘What’s more likely: Florida wins seven or four?’ I’d take seven. I think they’re going to be that much better than people think and I think a lot of the games people think are impossible are very winnable,” McElroy said. They’re the Florida Gators, they have good personnel and they’re going to find a way to make games really competitive, just like they did last year against Missouri at the end of the year and Missouri needed a 4th and 17 to win that game at home. So, I think they’re going to be a problem.”