![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier shakes hands during Gator Walk for the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_3807,h_2141/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/356/01j72ksw24gnztth106a.jpg "Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier shakes hands during Gator Walk for the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
The Florida Gators are coming off of a week one loss against their in-state rival, the Miami Hurricanes 41-17. The Gators were part of a contest that took place in Gainesville this past Saturday that was one of the most hyped games all offseason, and they laid a massive egg.
Starting quarterback Graham Mertz threw for only 91 yards and one interception in the contest. This was thought to be head coach Billy Napier’s best team since arriving in Gainesville in 2021. If that is the case, bad things are in store for the Gators who ranked at the bottom of the SEC in my week one power rankings. The Gators offense as a whole was abysmal, totaling just 261 yards to the Hurricanes’ 529.
Napier’s seat was already hot, but it is even hotter now. And with FCS opponent Samford on deck, it is presumed to not get any hotter with the Gators listed as heavy favorites. However, do not be surprised if things are not so easy and the Gators even lose to Samford in week two.
Florida Gators at risk of losing to Samford in week two
Lack of motivation
Coming off of a demoralizing loss for a game that was publicized up all offseason would be tough for any team. This combined with the way that the Gators look, it may be difficult for them to energize themselves for this contest. We have seen it before with teams and coming off of a loss is a lot more difficult than coming off of a win.
Samford will be motivated
Although the Samford Bulldogs lost in week one to the University of West Georgia 38-29, expect them to be juiced up for their trip to Gainesville. Many players on FCS rosters are overlooked and feel slighted by not being recruited by SEC teams. This combined with a chance to highlight their skills on the biggest stage of the season for them should have them publicized for the game.
On top of that, any FCS school would love more than anything to lay claim to knocking off an FBS opponent. And with the Gators program reeling the past few seasons, the Bulldogs should come in enthused for this prime opportunity.
This movie has been seen before with the Gators back in 2013 when they lost to then FCS school, Georgia Southern 26-20 under head coach Will Muschamp. Similar to 2024 under Napier, the 2013 Gators were a program that came into that game on a downslide of their own having lost their last five games before it.
While everyone is so quick to hand the Gators the victory, again, do not be surprised if the Bulldogs come in ready for a fight. If the Gators somehow lose the game, Napier could be fired sooner than folks think.