Paul Finebaum believes people could be wrong about Florida in 2024

Much of the national opinion on Florida is very low for as they come into the fall. However, that starting point is exactly why Paul Finebaum thinks they could surprise by the end of the season in The Swamp.

Finebaum joined On3’s J.D. PicKell in a conversation on ‘The Hard Count’ from SEC Media Days in Dallas on Tuesday. When PicKell wanted a team that we could be incorrect about this year, he picked the Gators. Even so, he wasn’t certain of that as he himself has also had his doubts about them coming in.

“I think it could be Florida,” Finebaum said. “And, by the way, I don’t know why I say that. I’m the one who has been asking every guest for the last six months saying, ‘What do you think about Florida?'”

These circumstances down in Gainesville have been discussed all offseason. Billy Napier is 11-14 through a pair of seasons as their head coach and now enters as pressure-filled of a slate as anyone in the country considering how many wins he likely needs against a very difficult schedule to likely remain in charge there.

Still, as some old sayings go, expecting less can lead to less disappointment. It also can lead to astonishment if it all goes the right way.

Florida does have as tough of set of a dozen games as any program in the nation in 2024. With that said, if they win enough of them, it could make them one of the best stories of the upcoming season.

That’s not necessarily what Gator fans may want or like to hear with their past history but, considering all things, it may be what provides some optimism throughout and following the year.

“I mean their expectations might be as low as they’ve ever been,” Finebaum admitted. “I mean I remember Tim Tebow told me not long ago that, in 2009? This was in the Swamp Kings thing last year. He said he walked into the stadium and started really crying because they only had two national championship banners up and they should have had three. That was their expectation 15 years ago. Now it’s, ‘Well, if Billy Napier could win seven games?'”

“I don’t think they have much to prove,” said Finebaum. “Knowing my business, Billy Napier beats Miami and maybe beats a couple? Well, Billy Napier – early favorite for Coach of the Year!”

Buying low could be the way to go this year for Florida if everything is to work out. If not, specifically at the start, though, it could be as long of a year as some are already expecting for the Gators.

“Again, if you lose to Miami? Forget everything I just said,” Finebaum said.