GAINESVILLE — If Florida coach Billy Napier is ready to save his job, it’s going to start this week towards No. 9 Texas.
One other Gators’ loss can be their fourth straight and go away them an inescapable gap.
The embattled coach, now 20-22 at UF, and his gamers stay upbeat, however notice time is operating out to avoid wasting their season.
“Every little thing we’re working for continues to be on the desk,” stated sophomore linebacker and main tackler Myles Graham. “For each recreation, from right here on out, we have now to have an incredible sense of urgency, nice consideration to element, nice depth. We’d like to verify we convey that power each single recreation, like we’re taking part in it prefer it’s our final recreation.
“Our backs are towards the wall, so we have now to play like our hair is on hearth.”
The No. 9 Longhorns (3-1) look to proceed the Gators’ slide.
Steve Sarkisian’s squad opens SEC play trying to reside up their preseason No. 1 rating after reaching the 2024 CFB semifinals. Texas is Florida’s third straight top-10 foe.
“It’s one other week within the SEC towards a formidable opponent,” Napier stated. “Every week would require our greatest.”
The Gators hope to journey a wave of momentum from a sold-out crowd on the Swamp, the place they fell to 15-7 beneath Napier after a gorgeous 18-16 loss Sept. 6 to USF.
Florida followers are among the many nation’s most supportive, however might rapidly flip vociferous towards Napier if UF struggles to supply factors or pleasure. The Gators common simply 11 factors in three losses, the fewest amongst Energy 4 groups towards FBS competitors, and are final within the SEC with simply 13 performs 20 yards or longer.
“Beginning quick is extraordinarily necessary,” Napier stated. “In soccer, the analytics will let you know that. Definitely at residence, there’s power that comes from beginning quick.”
Quarterback DJ Lagway goals to bounce again after a bye week and energize Napier’s assault.
The struggling sophomore is coming off a 61-yard recreation throughout a 26-7 loss at Miami and has simply two touchdowns and 6 interceptions throughout his group’s three-game skid. However Napier and Lagway’s teammates stated he’s not too long ago performing extra like 2024, when he fearlessly attacked down the sphere and routinely generated explosive performs.
Accidents have restricted the 20-year-old, who by all accounts is past shoulder and calf accidents that sidelined him.
“At the moment was most likely his finest day at follow since he began working towards,” Napier stated Wednesday.
The Gators will want greater than Lagway to boost his stage of play. UF is a 6.5-point residence underdog towards a group anticipated to the contend for a nationwide title.
One other loss would proceed a misplaced season and certain expedite the tip of Napier’s time in Gainesville.
“This group is extremely motivated,” he stated. “It means one thing to those guys to do their job for one another.”
Edgar Thompson may be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com