Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Evaluating the Class of 2024 Transfers: Receivers earn an A
- Class of 2025 Recruiting Superlatives
- Grading the Gators: Class of 2025 Signees
- UF players to keep an eye on as Transfer Portal window opens
- 35-Game Report Card: Napier’s numbers are still lacking
- Former Florida Player Feedback: 10 Observations
- Parental Perspective: Florida Football Commits Parental RoundTable
Inside the Gators’ Ben McLeish and Mark Wheeler take a closer look at Friday’s match-up between Florida and Tulane, including thoughts on what would be considered a successful outcome for the Gators, players to keep an eye on, as well as offering up a score prediction.
What would be a successful week for the Gators?
McLeish: Scraping a win against a group of five school without their starting quarterback wouldn’t be an impressive week by any means. The Gators will want a statement win to prove that this program is trending in the right direction. For a successful week, Florida will have to take care of business against the Green Wave and win by multiple scores.
Wheeler: It’s cliche, but a win is a win, regardless of how it occurs or how close it is. In reality, though, Florida needs to end the 2024 season with a bang. Billy Napier needs to do something he has rarely been able to do – and that is to beat the living dog___ out of an opponent. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Go up early and put his foot on the gas (and their throat). Considering what Tulane is dealing with, anything less than a three-touchdown win will feel like it is less than a success.
Does this game mean something to the Gators?
McLeish: Yes, I think Florida’s bowl game is an important part of building the future. There are plenty of players still available in the transfer portal, and the Gators have one more game to show their potential with DJ Lagway as the starting quarterback. And finishing the season with four straight wins would be the icing on the cake for a rebuilding Florida program.
Wheeler: As is always the case, the next game is the most important game. In this case, as Ron Roberts stated on Wednesday, a win enables Florida to head into the offseason with momentum. As bad as it was to end the 2023 season with a five-game slide, it would be equally advantageous if Florida could finish out 2024 with a four-game winning streak. It would put a little pep in everyone’s step, from the fanbase, to boosters, to players and staff.
Which players will make a splash in the final game of the season?
McLeish: After an underwhelming performance against FSU, DJ Lagway will bounce back in a big way in his first-ever bowl game. He’ll connect early and often on the deep ball, especially to his favorite target, Elijhah Badger. On the defensive side, Tyreak Sapp will have a big day, harassing Tulane’s quarterback all game.
Wheeler: When I think of making a splash, I think more along the lines of players who haven’t done as much to this point in their careers. If the game gets out of hand, as expected, you could see younger players with an increased snap count on Friday. Because of the defections at tight end, Amir Jackson could be featured more prominently, and then receivers such as Tank Hawkins, and TJ Abrams could help provide an early glimpse of next season. On defense, again because of defections, this time at EDGE, LJ McCray is a good bet to see increased action. Despite Tulane being down to their third-string quarterback, this should also be a showcase game for either Dijon Johnson or Jameer Grimsley to show what they are made of against the ever-dangerous Mario Williams.
Prediction
McLeish: Tulane, without their starting quarterback, won’t be able to move the ball against Florida’s defense. The Gator offense will need to shake off the rust from not playing in three weeks, but they’ll get going and take care of business. Florida 38-14
Wheeler: On paper, partially because they played a weak schedule, Tulane isn’t anywhere near as bad as what the average Florida fan thinks – when they think of the Green Wave based on their name. However, that was before they lost their top two quarterbacks to the Transfer Portal. What might have been a relatively close game, should now be a blowout as UF has everything to play for, while TU doesn’t. That can also be dangerous though. I’ll go with my initial instinct. Florida 42-10
Season-to-date Predictions
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