How the Florida Gators could Make the College Football Playoff

Could the Florida Gators go 9-3 this season and make the college football playoff? LockedOn Gators Podcast Host, Brandon Olsen proposed this scenario, but said, “it won’t be easy or even likely.”

What is the strength of schedule ranking for the Florida Gators in 2024?

ESPN’s Bill Connelly projected Florida to have the toughest schedule in the country in 2024. Connelly uses his SP+ rating system that he created and projected Florida to have a .743 SOS in 2024. Connelly’s numbers have this translating to 8.92 wins from a top-five program, of which the Gators are not. And there is the problem.

With the Gators 2024 schedule potentially being the most difficult in college football history, a 9-3 record and college football playoff berth would be very hard to come by for the Gators, but it is possible. After all, that is why they play the games- is it not?

There is however a path, as there is for any team. On the surface considering all the turmoil surrounding the Florida program and their record the past few seasons, it is highly unlikely as Olsen stated, but there is a chance.

How does college football playoff expansion help the Florida Gators?

Olsen says that the Gators should embrace the toughest schedule because this will be good for the resume when it comes to the college football playoff. And the fact that the CFP expands to 12 teams this season is in the Gators’ favor.

As of right now, nine of the Gators’ 12 opponents are ranked teams heading into the 2024 season, so strength of schedule could definitely be in their favor at the end of the season if they are fighting for one of the final playoff spots.

What games can the Florida Gators afford to lose in 2024?

Olsen points out that the only non-power four team the Gators play in 2024 is FCS opponent Samford, which is very rare.

Based on rankings, the most likely losses on the Gators’ schedule would be Georgia, Ole Miss and Texas who are ranked first, fourth and sixth respectively.

Olsen points out that if the Gators can handle the rest of their business against all of the other teams they face, including the six other teams ranked in the top 25 in the pre-season, then they have a strong case. And he is not wrong.

Although there were no three-loss teams in the power 4 that would have made the playoffs in 2023 based on rankings at the end of the regular season, it does not mean it cannot happen. And based on Connelly’s schedule ranking for the Gators, they may just be the first to do it if head coach Billy Napier can put all of the pieces together in 2024.