Booger McFarland, Dan Orlovsky call out Billy Napier, react to Florida blowout loss
The Florida Gators have been a spectacle this season, but perhaps not for the reasons any of the program’s fans would like to be. It’s all about coach Billy Napier and the metaphorical hot seat.
And he is on a scorching one after losing a second home contest this season, this time to Texas A&M.
The situation has invited the commentary of analysts around the country, with several ESPN personalities chiming in on Saturday in the aftermath of the most recent loss. Among them? Former quarterback Dan Orlovsky and former defensive lineman Booger McFarland.
“I honestly was rooting for and believed Napier would do really well at Florida…” Orlovsky wrote on Twitter, “its jarring to see week in and week out them outplayed.”
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It’s a fair critique, in part because in both of Florida’s losses the outcome was mostly decided by the third quarter. The team’s offense simply has not been able to keep pace with a defense that doesn’t regularly stop many high-quality opponents.
That’s an issue.
But perhaps more pressingly, it’s hard to see what the intent of Florida’s offensive system is. That was something pointed out by McFarland in response to Orlovsky.
“Offensively what is their plan?” McFarland wrote. “(DJ) Lagway or (Graham) Mertz?”
On Saturday against Texas A&M, Florida essentially rotated the two quarterbacks every series. No one really got into a rhythm despite both quarterbacks having occasional bright spots.
Mertz finished 12-of-15 passing for 195 yards and a touchdown, to go along with one interception. Lagway finished 6-of-13 passing for 54 yards and a touchdown, to go along with two interceptions.
Neither performance exactly inspired confidence. So where do the Gators go from here?
“If Napier wasn’t on hot seat you go DJ but he’s gotta win so GM probably gives best chance at that,” Orlovsky wrote in response to McFarland.
We’ll see. Florida’s next game is on the road at struggling Mississippi State.