We all know nothing’s easier in SEC this year, but those constant schedule flip-flops are just throwing wenches into the gears of their in-conference too. And no one knows it better than Billy Napier and his squad. Last year, they battled tough opponents like FSU, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Miami, achieving a solid 8-4 record. However, this year’s road gets even rockier. A relentless string of challenging non-conference games leaves the Florida Gators with little respite, creating a near-impossible situation. It’s not just a tough schedule; it’s a minefield where every step counts double.
College football is about to go through a major transition where it has proposed to expand to 16 teams and potentially give the SEC up to four automatic bids, but that might just create havoc for Billy Napier’s team, which is already facing a brutal stretch under the eight-game format. Now, tossing a non-negotiable non-conference game into the mix will make their schedule a near-impossible grind. The worst part is that they might not play against their in-conference teams for much longer. That’s exactly what Locked on Longhorns host Jay Smith is trying to point out.
Smith didn’t just give a tough reality check to Billy Napier, but he warned them, saying, Hey, the Big 12 already failed terribly doing this exact thing. “I mean, as a long-standing member of the SEC, we understand how terrible it is that you don’t get to see certain opponents but once every, like, 15 years. It’s pretty disrespectful, and it takes away from some of the allure of it. I mean, we saw that in the Big 12 at one point when the conference was bigger. But then they made it to where everybody played each other after some teams defected,” Smith explained.
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 05: Head Coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators speaks during a press conference introducing him to the Media at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
It’s evident that CFB breathes for rivalry matchups, but playing against their in-conference teams is also important. “Then, once the conference got bigger again, it got back to that, where there was a chance a lot of those Big 12 teams were not going to see each other but once every, like, eight years. And so, I see the SEC now is trying to do every-two-year flip-flop schedules and stuff, and that’s going to be imbalanced too,” Jay Smith warned. And then comes the worst news for Billy Napier and the team: their hard stretch of non-conference games. “Again, the biggest problem is these non-conference games. In a lot of situations — like, Florida’s always going to have the hardest schedule because Florida State, either good or bad, is always going to be some sort of a challenge. They’re going to bounce back at some point.” Jay said.
Look, no matter how badly Florida State stumbled last season with a 2-10 record, they always make their way through those losses. And then let’s not forget their in-conference games in the SEC against Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Texas are already tough, and FSU and Miami are just an added baggage on their shoulders. “Same thing with Miami. Same thing with Clemson, Kansas will be up and down or whatnot. But it would be so much better if you forced the conferences to have some sort of inter-conference-type play. It’s time to do that. Stop allowing every non-conference game to be negotiated. Do a home-and-home series and call it a day,” Jay pointed out.
Well, even though things might look rough for Billy Napier and his squad now, his strong recruiting trail might turn things around for his team in the future.
Billy Napier is stacking up talent for Gators’ future
Florida Gators coach Billy Napier is aggressively bolstering his defensive line, targeting key recruits for the 2025 and 2026 classes. Following commitments from three-star defensive tackle Jamir Perez and four-star quarterback Will Griffin (Elite 11 Finals invitee), Napier aims to build a formidable defense. The Gators have also offered Kavian Bryant, a top quarterback in the 2027 class, showcasing their long-term recruiting vision.
Highly-ranked defensive lineman Nolan Wilson (On3’s No. 3 nationally, 45th overall) is a prime target, his 6’4″, 250-pound frame and skills making him an ideal fit. Wilson, who’s visited Gainesville twice, shows considerable interest, though an official visit remains pending—a key step in securing his commitment.
Now, Miami and Florida remain frontrunners for Wilson, but USC is a strong contender, having already hosted him twice with another visit planned for June 20th. Florida needs to aggressively pursue Wilson, as his recruitment intensifies. His decision will be a key battle to watch.
Florida’s defensive line features rising stars like Caleb Banks and Tyreak Sapp, poised for breakout 2025 seasons, but securing top talent like Wilson is vital for the Gators’ future. Napier’s recruiting success, including landing players like Wilson, demonstrates his commitment to building a powerful defensive line and maintaining Florida’s competitiveness.
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