The road ahead for Florida football: 3 major challenges coming

Judging by what we’ve seen on message boards and social media, optimism isn’t all that high in Gator Nation right now about how Florida will finish the season. But it’s probably a different story inside the program, even after Saturday’s stunning 39-36 overtime loss at home to Arkansas.

“I believe in the people in that locker room,” Gators coach Billy Napier said. 

Yet, there is no denying the road ahead is a challenging one. To just become bowl eligible, the Gators have to knock off at least one solid team in their final three games. And two of them are on the road, where Florida hasn’t been good at all of late.

In other words, it won’t be easy.

Here’s a look at the Florida Gators (5-4 overall, 3-3 in the SEC) final three opponents ….

A closer look at the Florida Gators’ remaining games

NOV. 11: AT LSU
RECORD: 6-3, 4-2 in the SEC
THE GOOD NEWS FOR UF: 1. LSU just lost to Alabama in an intense rivalry game. Can the Tigers be emotionally up two straight weeks? 2. The Tigers allow 28.2 points and 407.4 yards per like.
THE BAD NEWS FOR UF: 1. The Gators have been awful against good teams away from home in 2023. 2. Led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, LSU is No. 3 nationally in scoring offense (45.2). Daniels has 27 touchdown passes and only four intercpetions. But he was placed into concussion protocol after the game vs. Alabama on Saturday and that is something to track.
ESPN ANALYTICS MATCHUP PREDICTOR: LSU is favored with an 87.5% chance to win.

NOV. 18: AT MISSOURI
RECORD: 7-2, 3-2 in the SEC
THE GOOD NEWS FOR UF: 1. Missouri is just now hitting the rough part of its schedule. The Tigers play consecutive games against Georgia (a loss Saturday) and Tennessee leading up to the matchup with Florida. 2. At times, the Missouri defense has been suspect against the pass.
THE BAD NEWS FOR UF: 1. The Tigers average 32.4 points and 434.1 yards per game. Quarterback Brady Cook is 22nd nationally in passing efficiency — one spot ahead of Florida’s Graham Mertz. 2. Florida has lost two of the last three times it has played at Missouri. It’s expected to be a high in the low 50s that day.
ESPN ANALYTICS MATCHUP PREDICTOR: Missouri is favored with an 71.8% chance to win.

Could UF keep FSU out of the playoff?

NOV. 25: FLORIDA STATE
RECORD: 9-0, 7-0 in the ACC
THE GOOD NEWS FOR UF: 1. Florida usually is a different team at home and FSU has been a different team this season on the road. The ‘Noles barely beat average Boston College and Clemson squads away from home — and were in a battle with two-win Pitt for three quarters Saturday. 2. FSU could be 11-0 and a loss might knock it out of a potential playoff spot. All the pressure would be on the ‘Noles. Florida might be playing for bowl eligibility and that’s it. The chance to ruin an arch-rival’s season is a great motivator.
THE BAD NEWS FOR UF: 1. FSU has a balanced and explosive offense. The ‘Noles average 39.6 points and 458 yards a game. 2. FSU plays North Alabama the previous week, which should allow the ‘Noles to be fresh entering the Florida game.
ESPN ANALYTICS MATCHUP PREDICTOR: FSU is favored with an 84.4% chance to win.

After looking at all of this, how do you think the Florida Gators finish?