Calling it now - Florida's strength of schedule is going to be the single biggest factor that determines whether this team makes a bowl game or not. The Gators finished 2025 ranked 112th nationally in turnover margin and now they have to navigate a slate that includes Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee in the same season. That's three teams that all finished in the top 15 of SP+ last year.
The problem is the math doesn't work in Florida's favor. The Gators were already 97th in red zone TD percentage at 58% last season and now they have to face three top-15 defenses. Even if the new QB is competent, the schedule alone could drag this team to 5-7 or worse.
People keep pointing at the recruiting rankings and ignoring the actual gauntlet of games. Florida plays four teams that finished 2025 in the top 20 of defensive SP+. That's not a schedule you survive with a roster that lost its starting QB to the portal and finished 78th in passing success rate.
The SEC schedule is brutal this year ...