Steve Spurrier expects to see 'a different ball team' out of Florida vs. Texas

It’s been a rocky start to the season for the Florida Gators and head coach Billy Napier. After opening with an FCS win, the Gators dropped three-straight games, including to multiple rivals, to fall to 1-3 and put Napier firmly on the hot seat going into their bye week.

The major challenge moving forward for Florida is that there are no breaks on the field coming up. That continues this week against the Texas Longhorns. It’s the third of four straight games against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25. It seems like a bad spot for the Gators. However, former Florida coach Steve Spurrier shared on Another Dooley Noted Podcast that he expects to see an improved team on Saturday.

“Yeah, it’s gonna be a good one this week,” Steve Spurrier said. “We’re well rested. Hopefully, we know our mistakes and areas we can improve and we’ll see a different ball team out there on Saturday.”

All eyes will be on the quarterback position for both teams. Coming into the season, Florida’s DJ Lagway and Texas’ Arch Manning were the two most exciting young quarterbacks in the SEC. Then, they both stumbled out of the blocks. Manning even faced booing at home earlier in September. Lagway, meanwhile, has had a turnover issue. In particular, a five interception game against LSU where the Florida offense struggled to do much at all.

During the bye week, there had also been some opt-out rumors surrounding DJ Lagway. After all, he had then played four games, the most you can play before burning a redshirt. Those are four games that went about as poorly as possible and now his head coach is on the hot seat. However, Billy Napier addressed those concerns, shooting them down during the bye week.

“It’s comical,” Napier said. “The kid has been back in here since Sunday, working his butt off. Monday, yesterday, had really good days. We can’t control that outside narrative, obviously, but he’s just fine. He’s been in the building just like he’s on the staff. So he’s been back to work. Yeah, that’s a total myth that’s out there.”

Along with those opt-out concerns, there have also been injury concerns for Florida as it relates to Lagway. After missing the Texas game a year ago due to injury. Injury issues would then limit him throughout the offseason and, now, he has been seen in a walking boot following the Miami game. That appears to be precautionary, but it’s still a concern.

Florida needs to use that bye week to bounce back, or the season could go sideways quickly. Certainly, Steve Spurrier will have an eye on this game, hoping to see more from the school where he won a national championship.