Greg McElroy predicts Florida under 5.5 wins in 2023
Coming into the 2023 season, Florida remains one of the most intriguing SEC teams. As pressure begins to build, Billy Napier is going to need to show that improvement with a tough schedule after losing a first-round NFL Draft pick quarterback in Anthony Richardson.
Because of those challenges, college football analyst Greg McElroy predicted that Florida is going to finish under 5.5 wins.
“Florida Gators in at 5.5,” McElroy said. “Now, if he wins four or three, Billy Napier is going to be in a remarkably difficult spot heading into ’24. I don’t think his job security is necessarily up in the air because look at the recruiting class they have coming in, and they have momentum on the recruiting trail. They do.”
According to the On3 Industry Rankings, Florida has the third-ranked class in the 2024 cycle. This comes after recruiting was highly criticized under former head coach Dan Mullen.
“It’s just the pieces and the roster that he inherited, man, was in dire straits. I’m speaking honest. I love Billy but I love every coach. There’s no coach out there I don’t love, at least this time of year.”
There is talent on Florida’s roster, in particular at the running back position.
“Trio of Power Five transfers might step right in there, might be okay, and you know you have a dynamic one-two punch at running back. Nobody talks about them by the way. Nobody talks about Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne — nobody talks about them. People need to,” McElroy said.
“Now, part of if we’re bullish on them will be dependent on the guys who are blocking up front, but the scheme and Billy Napier’s commitment to running the football leads me to believe that those two are still going to be among the better duos, if you will, in the entire SEC. No one’s talking about them, but just keep in mind.”
Last season, Johnson came to Florida as a transfer from Louisiana. He rushed for 841 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. Still, Etienne is the star of the backfield, going for 719 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
“Montrell, not necessarily going to be the home run hitting guy, but man, he’s gonna get you five yards a pop. He’s gonna put his head down and churn out and get some yards. Etienne, now he’s the guy who can take it the distance. He’s your home run hitter. He’s your CJ Spiller, if you will. Get on the ball and see what he does with it. He is a really talented back and when you think about too, he was the highest yards per carry average among all freshmen backs with 100 plus carries last year. I think he can be a star.”
Despite that potential at the running back position, it’s not enough for McElroy to pick Florida to win more than 5.5 games.
Kingsley Eguakun sets SEC East title as Florida’s goal in 2023
Despite Greg McElroy’s concerns, star offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun says that Florida has the goal of winning the SEC East this season.
“I got a lot of personal goals. But let me start with we want to win the SEC East. Obviously, I want to win the Rimington Award. I want to get drafted high, all that good stuff,” Eguakun said.
“But my main personal goal is I want to win games. That’s bottom line. I don’t like losing. I really hate losing more than I like winning, to be honest with you. I just want to win games. If none of that other stuff comes, but we win all our games, I’m a happy camper.”