Allen Barney will team up with our “championship team” to cover the Gators, along with relative newcomer Eddie Gilley and veterans Franz Beard, Loren Meadows and Carlton Reese   Allen Barney joins our team (Chris Spears Photo) President Brenden Martin and co-owner, editor/columnist Buddy Martin made these announcements Saturday about BuddyMartinMedia, and   GatorBaitMedia.com , which have become a “championship team” about to celebrate 50 years of covering the Gators. Dan Bond is also a major contributor. Chris Spears continues as chief videographer and photographer. Gilley is a lifelong sports fanatic. He played football from peewee to high school. Started baseball as a toddler and was fortunate to play at Samford University. He has served teams as a volunteer coach and chaplain. He’s been around athletes his whole life. Since 1987, he has missed just two college home football games for the universities he has served. He has mentored many athletes over the years and he’s a fan of all sports, but “the only colors you will find in his closet are orange and blue.” Eddie Gilley: You'll see him more (Chris Spears Photo Growing up in Ocala, Barney was exposed to Gator sports often and quickly became a fan of their athletic teams. As he was choosing his career path before college, he knew covering sports would be the way to go because sports have always been “a big part of my life.” He began playing T-ball in Anthony Little League when he was five years old and continued in athletics until graduating high school from North Marion High. Barney graduated College of Central Florida before transferring to the University of Florida, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism during the fall of 2022. He formerly interned at InsidetheGators.com as a writer/reporter, covered high school sports in Marion County for the Ocala Gazette/Ocala Star-Banner as a writer/reporter and was a play-by- play announcer for the College of Central Florida. Allen is a proud father of two daughters (1 and 7 years old) and has been with his fiancé Kylie for 12 years. “I promise to deliver the best coverage of Gator sports a fan deserves,” Barney vowed. “I’m excited to be back!” Brenden Martin's role as a national force in turn-key podcasting with other key major figures has expanded recently, including Rob Browne of SEC Sidelines, but he continues to produce The Buddy Martin Show and focus on streaming in which has been a pioneer. Buddy's show has grown into new markets like the Florida Panhandle where he now resides part-time, while also maintaining an Ocala residence. Beard, Reese and Spears are months away from publishing a book on Florida's basketball championship season for GatorBait Publications.

The question that should live rent-free in the mind of every Florida fan as the Gators prep for the 2025 season is: which defense is going to show up? In four of Florida’s five losses in 2024 (No. 19 Miami, Texas A&M, No. 2 Georgia, and No. 5 Texas), the defense was essentially a no-show. The Gators gave up chunks of yardage—508.5 yards—and way too many points—39.25 points—per game. They managed only four sacks and forced five turnovers in those losses. A Glimmer of Hope Against Tennessee The only loss of 2024 where the defense played winning football was in overtime against Tennessee in Knoxville. The Gators held the Vols to 23 points and 312 yards. They forced two turnovers and sacked QB Nico Iamaleava three times. Had Graham Mertz not gone down with a torn ACL, it’s likely the Gators would have won that game against the then 8th-ranked Vols. The way the defense played in the loss to Tennessee is how the Gators performed in seven of their eight wins. The only aberration was against Mississippi State. In that 45-28 victory, the Gators allowed 480 yards—240 on the ground and 240 through the air. In the other seven wins, the Gators allowed just 296.29 yards and 13.14 points per game. They forced 18 turnovers in those wins and got to opposing quarterbacks for 32 of their 39 sacks for the season. In the final four games, the Gators allowed 321.75 yards and 52 points. They forced 12 turnovers and recorded 19 sacks. When all the numbers are crunched, Florida finished 15th in the SEC in total defense (376.9 yards per game), 14th in run defense (149.46 yards per game), 11th in pass defense (227.5 yards per game), and 12th in scoring defense (23.1 points allowed). However, the Gators excelled in some areas, finishing fourth in sacks (39), fourth in interceptions (14), and second in fumbles recovered (11). The Big Question for 2025 So which defense will we see in 2025? Is it the one that couldn’t get off the field in four of the five losses? Or is it the one that played so well at the end of the year? Offensive Powerhouse Offensively, Florida should be one of the better teams in the country this season. The Gators have one of the top five quarterbacks in DJ Lagway, a loaded running backs room, and more speed at wide receiver than they’ve had since the Urban Meyer years. Their offensive line ranks among the two best in the Southeastern Conference and one of the five best in the country. With skill players that collectively rank among the best and an O-line that allowed only 20 sacks last year, scoring won’t be an issue for Florida. The concerns lie on the other side of the football. But is this an overreaction? Are those last four games a better indicator of future performance than the lack of defensive productivity in four losses and the win over Mississippi State? A Fierce Defense on the Horizon I believe Florida’s defense is going to be fierce. If there’s an area of concern, it’s the experienced depth on the defensive line. There’s talent, but beyond the starters, there aren’t many bodies with experience. Breakdown of the Defense D-Line Starters: DE Tyreak Sapp (6-3, 274, RSR) NT Michai Boireau (6-5, 355, SO) DT Caleb Banks (6-6, 329, RSR) If Banks can replicate his performance in the wins over LSU, Ole Miss, and Florida State, he could make All-America. Sapp went beast mode in the last four games, excelling against the run and rushing the passer. Boireau has immense talent but was inconsistent last year. Kamran James (6-6, 272, JR) seems poised to be an impactful player as Sapp’s backup. Jamari Lyons (6-4, 308, RJR) is recovering from knee surgery, but if he’s fully back, he’ll provide a serious boost to the D-line. The Gators suffered a significant loss in the offseason when freshman Stephon Shivers (6-4, 390) was dismissed from the team. They did, however, pick up Baylor transfer Brendan Bett (6-5, 300, RSO) in the portal. He’ll need to contribute immediately. EDGE Rusher: George Gumbs Jr. (6-4, 253, RSR) Gumbs had five sacks and eight tackles for loss among his 35 stops last year. He’s capable of much more. Behind him is LJ McCray (6-6, 267, SO), a former 5-star who will see plenty of action in the front seven. UMass transfer Kofi Asare (6-5, 246, RJR) and true freshman Jayden Woods (6-3, 240) will also factor into a deep rotation. Linebackers: Grayson Howard (6-4, 232, JR) Myles Graham (6-1, 227, SO) Until injured in the Texas game, Howard played exceptionally well, especially against the run. Graham is an All-American in waiting; it’s just a matter of time before he becomes a dominant force. Behind them, the coaching staff loves Jaden Robinson (6-0, 232, JR) and Aaron Chiles (6-3, 241, JR). Both would start at most SEC schools. Freshman Ty Jackson (6-2, 216) will also be in the rotation. Secondary: STAR Sharif Denson (5-11, 191, JR) CB Devin Moore (6-3, 199, SR) CB Cormani McClain (6-2, 182, RSO) or Dijon Johnson (6-1, 196, JR) S Bryce Thornton (5-10, 212, JR) S Jordan Castell (6-2, 217, JR) If Devin Moore can stay healthy (he played only seven games last year) and Dijon Johnson’s legal issues are behind him, Florida’s secondary will be solid. Cormani McClain, a former 5-star from Lakeland, is now 20 pounds heavier than when he arrived. Whether as a starter or coming off the bench, he’ll make an impact now that he can handle the size and strength of SEC receivers. Sharif Denson is reliable, and if Aaron Gates (6-0, 189, RSO) is healthy, that position will be in good shape. Florida’s safety duo of Bryce Thornton (41 tackles, 3 interceptions) and Jordan Castell (55 tackles, 9 pass breakups) is among the best in the SEC. Southern Miss transfer Michael Carraway Jr. (6-1, 184, RSR) brings experience and versatility to the secondary. Freshmen Jamroc Grimsley (6-2, 193), Ben Hanks III (6-1, 180), and Drake Stubbs (6-1, 197) will need to be game-ready from day one. This is the best defensive roster the Gators have had since Billy Napier’s arrival. If they can compensate for the lack of experience in the middle of the D-line, this unit will thrive. There are concerns about youthful backups in the secondary, but there’s no denying that the backups are incredibly talented. Coaching Changes and Their Impact It cannot be overemphasized that Ron Roberts will be in the booth starting game one. When Napier made the switch, putting Roberts in the booth as the play caller and Austin Armstrong on the sidelines, Florida’s defense showed drastic improvement. Roberts is credited with inventing the “creeper” defense, variations of which are now used throughout the NFL. When executed perfectly, opposing quarterbacks see “ghosts.” They don’t know where the pass rush is coming from. Just ask LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier about that one! Strengths and Weaknesses Strengths: Pass rush Aggressiveness in the secondary Improved play at linebacker Weaknesses: Depth at nose tackle Youth in the secondary The Road Ahead The likelihood is that the Gators will control the clock offensively, limiting the defense's time on the field. If Florida can play ahead, which they should be able to do with their offensive capabilities, opponents will be forced to throw the ball more. This scenario plays right into Roberts’ hands. Expect the Gators to register between 40-50 sacks and force upwards of 30 turnovers. If they can achieve that, this is a team that could win 9-10 games and be in the hunt for an at-large playoff berth. In conclusion, as we gear up for the 2025 season, the anticipation is palpable. Will the Gators' defense rise to the occasion? Only time will tell, but I’m optimistic about what lies ahead!

As we gear up for the football season next week, let’s dive into the eleven reasons why Gator fans should feel optimistic about 2025. 1. DJ Lagway: The Quarterback of Our Dreams When it comes to quarterbacks, who could you possibly want more than DJ Lagway? His talent and potential are undeniable. He’s a game-changer, and I can’t wait to see him in action. 2. The SEC Streak Confusion I’m a bit puzzled. Are the Gators really picking up on the SEC’s longest current winning streak of four games from 2024? Either I’m missing something, or Google is playing tricks on me. Regardless, we have four potential stars returning on what many consider the best offensive line in the league. And let’s not forget Jake Slaughter, our returning All-American and Remington Award leader. He’s a force to be reckoned with! 3. A Well-Stocked Wide Receiver Room Our wide receiver room is brimming with talent! The two Wilsons, under the guidance of coach Billy Gonzales, are set to make waves this season. Their skills are impressive, and I can’t wait to see what they bring to the field. 4. Tight Ends to Watch The tight ends room features Hayden Hansen and Tony Livingston, both of whom are ready to shine. Their versatility will be key in our offensive strategy. 5. Star-Studded Running Backs We have an incredible lineup of running backs: Jadan Baugh, JaKobi Jackson, KD Daniels, and Trey Webb. Each one brings unique skills to the table, and together, they form a formidable force. 6. A Defense That’s Ready to Roar Under the leadership of Ron Roberts, our defense has vastly improved. With a better coaching staff, we can expect a more aggressive and effective defensive strategy this season. 7. Future Stars in the Linebacker Room Keep an eye on our linebacker room! It’s filled with future stars, including the impressive Myles Graham. His potential is sky-high, and I’m excited to see his development. 8. A Front Seven That Packs a Punch Our front seven includes sack master Caleb Banks and edge rusher Tyreak Sapp. They are ready to disrupt opposing offenses and make a significant impact on the game. 9. Special Teams Focused and Reliable Our special teams have been revamped and are more focused than ever. With reliable FG kicker Trey Smack, we can expect solid performances in crucial moments. 10. Stability in Coaching Staff Little to no turnover in the coaching staff means continuity and growth. Billy Napier is a year wiser, and that experience will undoubtedly benefit the team. Hey, just when I thought I might be overdosing on Kool-Aid, I saw Greg McElroy’s enthusiastic outlook on the Gators. His optimism might even surpass mine! So, I’m staying right here until further notice. Quick Jump Starts Believe it when I see it: REPORT: North Carolina is exploring a potential move from the ACC to the SEC, per @InsideCarolina. Clemson is also in the mix. Big Ten Delusion: Washington coach Jedd Fisch stated, “We are playing in the best conference in the country, with the toughest schedule in the country.” Big 12 is “not interested” in adding Memphis, despite the school offering $250 million in sponsorship to the league, says Brett McMurphy. Florida's $398.5 million renovation to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium has an updated completion date, moving from August 2029 to February 2030. I’m proudly serving as emcee of the Florida leg of Tony Barnhart’s retirement victory lap for his 50th year this Saturday at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille. I’ll have a surprising announcement for the Media Boys! Quotatious Moments “When you hear Dallas Wilson, you know his talent. He can make all the catches; he's one of the fastest out there.” — DJ Lagway. “He's got a crazy house, man! The market in Alabama is wild. His house is bigger than mine and cost less. Dang! He's got a good gig over there.” — Michael Penix Jr. on visiting Kalen DeBoer's house this summer in Tuscaloosa. The Good (?) Ol’ Days? Best tweet of the week: “Florida just won the national championship in basketball, had a player arrested this week, and has a dual-threat QB who talks about Jesus? The Gators might be back.” It’s A Big Month of Ruby Celebrations Happy Birthday this week to Billy Napier, who turns 46. He’s two years older than Steve Spurrier was when he became the head ball coach. Also, happy birthday to Jerri Spurrier this Saturday! (Ageless!) And let’s not forget this guy who celebrated a birthday a few days ago: From Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun: In winning the national title, Golden, who turned 40 on July 7, had his portrait painted by local artist and former Florida football standout James Bates. This portrait will hang in Spurrier Gridiron Grille's Hall of Champions. It’s portrait No. 20 and will join the likes of Billy Donovan, Urban Meyer, and Steve Spurrier himself, who attended the unveiling ceremony on July 24. Golden reflected on the honor: “You got me on the eyebrows, for sure. You got me on the gap; I've got a little gap. I can deal with that; I've got a little gap in my front teeth.” Waiter, I’ll Have A Mt. Rushmore Please Jack Nicklaus’s Mt. Rushmore of Golf: Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Tiger, and “I think I’ll join them.” Short Stuff Here’s a quick baseball nugget: More people have walked on the moon (12) than men who have scored against Mariano Rivera in the postseason. Former Gator catcher Brody Donay has signed with the Tampa Bay Rays. Newcomer Boogie Fland just underwent hernia surgery and will be out for 4-6 weeks but is expected to be ready for the start of fall basketball practice. I had a great conversation with my pal Jeffrey Meldon from Amsterdam. While he and his wife Patricia are enjoying their world tour, he’s off the charts pumped about football season! Bigger Than Big! From the AP: Florida basketball player Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center who played for the Under-19 Canadian national team this summer, recently worked out for the Gators' football team as a possible punt blocker. Rioux donned an orange helmet and took snaps on special teams, with Florida assistant coaches hoping his massive wingspan might be a game-changer for blocking field goals and extra points. “I like the idea,” Gators basketball coach Todd Golden said during a booster event on Thursday evening. “I give them credit for trying it.” However, there was one issue: Rioux has an 11-inch vertical, so even with his extra-long reach, he was unable to block any kicks during the workout.

You talking about Practice? A sunny day in The Swamp, so Billy and his troops went to work. (Chris Spears Photo) Longtime Gator football observer Eddie Gilley took his first writing assignment Saturday and said he felt a little awkward switching roles from fan to observer/writer. This is his report: Well it’s better to talk about practice than the empty space of collegiate sports that is late July and early August. The Gator football team practiced on Saturday on the beautiful green grass of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. In front of a select group of parents and Bull Gators, the 2025 Gators went through a couple of hours of grueling work in the hot Florida sun. Here are my observations from our brief period to watch Coach Napier’s most anticipated team in his tenure at the helm of Gator Nation: This team passed the eye test better than any other team in the last few years. The Strength and Conditioning Coach is the second most important coach. Guys looked bigger, stronger and badder! Yes, I’m aware that it isn’t good English, but it is good for Gator fans. This Gator team looks like an SEC contender. The backups look like they can play as well. That bodes well for Gator nation.  DJ Lagway looked impressive throwing the football. He wasn’t in a boot and participated in all the drills in the viewing period with the other QBs. He didn’t appear to be limited in his throws. He was impressive, to be honest. The backup QB’s who are competing for the number two spot appear to be in good shape as well. Last year’s No. 3 Aiden Warner might be ahead just because of familiarity with the offense. Graduate Transfer Harrison Bailey looks like a poised backup and has more experience than Warner. But the future looks to be with Freshmen Tramell Jones Jr. The Jacksonville Mandarin QB has all the arm talent you would want in an SEC Quarterback. The ball zipped off his hand. Time will tell if he can make the jump from a talented high school leader to a guy who can be counted on to run an offense in the SEC. The guys the coaches have been crowing about, look the part. On offense and defense, the leaders are setting the pace. There was an energy that was noticeable and different from past seasons. They were working but they were also having fun doing it. Some might even say, they were enjoying the process! The old adage is practice makes perfect, but that’s not quite correct. As Vince Lombardi put it “perfect practice makes perfect!” While the Gator practice wasn’t perfect, it was very good. There are still three more Saturdays until they need to be perfect against LIU. They appear to be well on their way to getting there by then.

(Photo by Chris Spears)   Dazed and confused. That’s what LSU’s vaunted offensive line and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier were when the clock flatlined at zero last November 16. Four on that O-line went on to be selected in the NFL Draft, but against the Florida Gators they played as if they had taken lessons from a mail order catalogue and the mail truck got lost on I-10 somewhere west of Leon Springs, Texas. The O-linemen and Nussmeier spent the day at The Swamp seeing ghosts. They knew Florida defensive coordinator Ron Roberts would be bringing the blitz, only problem was they saw blitz from one angle when it was actually coming from somewhere else.   Six times Nussmeier went down in a heap. Six more times he was hurried into a bad throw. The pressure was so intense that Nussmeier averaged a dismal 5.5 yards per pass attempt.   Think of the Gators’ 27-16 win that knocked LSU out of College Football Playoff contention as the game when the lights went on. Florida fans came to The Swamp expecting the worst and instead saw inspired defenders executing a brilliant game plan about as well as could be expected. Only seven days earlier in Austin, Texas lit up the Gators for 49 points and 562 yards. Against LSU, the fans saw what happens when the Gators execute Roberts’ “creeper” defense to perfection.   Starting with LSU, the Gators reeled off four straight wins to finish the season 8-5. In those four wins, the Gators gave up an average of 13 points and 321.75 yards. The Gators finished the 2024 season with 39 sacks, 19 of which came in the final four games. Nearly half (12) of the 25 turnovers the UF defense forced came in those four wins. In Florida’s five losses, the Gators gave up an average of 469.2 yards and 36 points per game. The Gators had only seven sacks and seven forced turnovers in the losses.   In the eyes of the national media, Florida’s offense is largely responsible for raised expectations for 2025. With DJ Lagway spreading the ball around to one of the more impressive collections of skill people and a physical, experienced offensive line providing the protection and opening gaping holes, the Gators are looked on as a team that can win games by shootout if necessary.   It is the defense where there are the most question marks. Will it be the Gators who were pounded into submission in five losses or the ones at the end of the year who put LSU and Ole Miss out of their misery on consecutive Saturdays?   From what he has seen during the offseason, Ron Roberts feels confident there will be carryover from the end of 2024 to the season that begins in 29 days against Long Island University.   “You go right there, you go into spring and you go into identity period in the weight room, off-season training, goes to spring ball and all that stuff,” Roberts said Tuesday. “I think our guys have done a tremendous job with that as far as setting the standard of the work ethic, what's acceptable on a day-to-day basis, how you're supposed to go about your business, how do you handle every situation, and I think our guys have done a tremendous job of that in the off season, of preparing themselves to get ready.  “I think our summer was outstanding. I really do. I'm real excited about this season, just like where we are as a standpoint right now as a football team, as a defense, as a staff continuity, all those things. I'm real excited about the season, looking forward to getting in fall camp.” Roberts began the 2024 season on the sidelines with then co-defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong making the play calls from the press box. Midway through the season when head coach Billy Napier put Roberts in the press box. That’s when Florida’s defense began its turnaround. Roberts will be in the booth again this year. He retained D-line coach Gerald Chatman and EDGE coach Mike Peterson from last year’s staff, adding Robert Bala (from Washington) to coach inside linebackers, Vinnie Sunseri (from Washington) to coach safeties and Deron Wilson (from Arkansas) to coach the corners. If there is consensus among the national media regarding Florida’s defense, it is the depth on the defensive line, in particular at nose tackle. Roberts doesn’t share their concern. “We have plenty of guys,” Roberts said. “We got about … we got about seven that can play, so it’s going to come down to competition, healthy and who can do that and who becomes the impact players and who's going to turn it up a notch. But we got about seven competing and fighting for jobs. Our depth is a lot deeper. We lost some impact guys that had some experience and played and stuff, but our depth is – we're a lot deeper in our depth chart, especially up front. ”   The way Caleb Banks (6-6, 330, RSR) finished last season, he’s expected to be one of those impact guys on the inside. The other big guys who will play tackle and on the nose are Michai Boireau (6-5, 349, SO), Jamari Lyons (6-4, 318, RJR), Brien Taylor Jr. (6-5, 294, SR), Baylor transfer Brendan Bett (6-5, 308, RSO), Joseph Mbatchou (6-5, 300, FR) and Jeramiah McCloud (6-3, 294, FR).   “I think we have seven guys inside … I would definitely not say we have a depth issue at nose guard,” Roberts said.     There is talent and speed on the edge where Tyreak Sapp (6-3, 274, RSR) expects to pick up in 2025 where he left off at the end of last year. George Gumbs Jr. (6-4, 250, RSR), LJ McCray (6-6, 268, SO) and Kamran James (6-6, 270, JR) are joined by UMass transfer Kofi Asare (6-5, 251, RJR), Jayden Woods (6-3, 248, FR) and Jalen Wiggins (6-5, 268, FR).   Woods drew rave reviews from strength coordinator Tyler Miles. Gumbs, McCray and James have added muscle and speed. Sapp, however, is the standout among that group in Roberts’ opinion.   “He's just such a high motor guy,” Roberts said. “His motor never stops. He's going to go full throttle no matter what you do. I don't care if it's Tuesday or Saturday, he's going. And really the biggest impact -- he's a great player. The biggest impact he can do is what he does by demanding it from other people in the room and making sure his voice is heard and they all need to match that and play at that level. ”   The strength of the defense will be at linebacker where four experienced guys are backed by two outstanding freshmen. Grayson “Pup” Howard (6-4, 236, JR), Myles Graham (6-1, 228, SO), Jaden Robinson (6-0, 226, JR) and Aaron Chiles (6-3, 244, SO) give Roberts experience, speed and toughness. Freshmen Ty Jackson (6-2, 221) and Myles Johnson (6-1, 224) are good enough that Roberts will have to find ways to work them into the rotation.   Roberts doesn’t hide his belief that he has linebackers who can compete with anyone in the country.   “Our linebacker room is about as deep as anybody in the country,” Roberts said. “I think we're sitting on, whatever, three, four guys that are NFL guys. You know what I mean? They're all going to have an opportunity. Where does that go? Depending how their career goes, but how well they produce and how well they perform and how well they stay healthy, whether they go in the second round or fourth, but those are all guys that are going to be high draft picks that are going to play extremely well. So we're extremely deep.  “And then we got two freshmen which came in that are exciting. They're going to have to fight their way to get in the lineup because what we have are pretty deep, but they're both extremely athletic, can run and make plays. So we just gotta get them comfortable, and as we go through the season, put them in situations they can handle and have success.” There is experience and depth in the secondary where Roberts can count on Devin Moore (6-3, 198, SR), Cormani McClain (6-2, 189, RSO), Dijon Johnson (6-1, 204, JR). Jamroc Grimsley (6-2, 198, RFR), Teddy Foster (6-1, 188, RFR), Ben Hanks III (6-1, 192, FR) and Onis Konanbanny (6-0, 184, FR) at the corners. At STAR he’s got Sharif Denson (5-11, 195, JR), Aaron Gates (6-0, 198, RSO) and Josiah Davis (6-1, 199, RFR). The starters at safety – Jordan Castell (6-2, 213, JR) and Bryce Thornton (5-10, 211, JR) – have plenty of experience, but there are a lot of new faces behind them. Micheal Carraway Jr. (6-1, 196, RSR) transferred in from Southern Miss while Drake Stubbs (6-1, 207, FR) was a highly regarded recruit. The goal of all Roberts-coached defenses is to stuff the run and force teams to be one-dimensional. If the Gators can neutralize opponents’ running game, that’s when the creeper comes into play and quarterbacks and the guys who protect them start seeing ghosts. “It starts up front because if you can't stop the run, you can't do those things. Part of that credit last year obviously went to Gerald Chatman, what he did as far as development of those guys, learning how to play blocks and strikes and doing the things we wanted to do and allowed us at times in the back half of the season to play light box and help us in the back end coverage wise and kind of put it on the big guys up front and do those things. “… We would like to be more aggressive and those type of things, but again, I think every year you gotta call it to where, at the end of the day it's how are we winning. How are we going to win? Whether I gotta go after them every snap or we gotta high pressure, or is it, hey, we gotta play, we can't afford to give up a big play, let's go, we gotta stop it.”

The Gators have all the tools to navigate the nation's toughest schedule. By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com Football Analyst, Host-The Lowdown with Loren Meadows The Florida Gators, one of college football’s most storied programs, are entering this season with a renewed sense of purpose and an air of determination. While many look at the nation’s toughest schedule as a reason the Gators will struggle to win eight games this season, there are compelling reasons to believe that the Gators are poised to clinch at least eight victories this year. From a young emerging talent at the quarterback position, some of the SEC’s best skill players, a confident defense, and a coach who has the full support of his locker room, here are eight reasons why the 2025 Florida Gators will rise to the occasion and take home eight or more wins this season. Coach Billy Napier (Chris Spears photo) 1. Dynamic Quarterback Play Quarterback performance is the engine that drives any successful college football team, and the Gators are better than good in that department. DJ Lagway started six of the last seven games and carried the Gators to victory in every game that he finished. Lagway has a unique blend of size, quickness, and arm talent that has him on the doorstep of generational greatness. Lagway brings not only a strong arm and quick feet but also a year of invaluable experience under his belt. With improved decision-making and command of the offense, Lagway looks to make huge strides in his second year and first as the unquestioned leader of the team. 2. Experienced Offensive Line Last season, the Gators' offensive line struggled with consistency, this season the group is healthy and features All-American Jake Slaughter at center and ALL-SEC Preseason selection Austin Barber. As a whole, the offensive line returns four starters has played over 4,000 snaps at the collegiate level and features quality depth as well. The improved O-line should give Lagway more time to operate and open running lanes for a talented group of backs. Ranked as one of the nation’s best, look for this confident group to take protecting the cargo personally and dominate the line of scrimmage this season.  3. Explosive Skill Position Players The Group reads like competing law firms at receiver there is Wilson, Wilson, Mizell and Sturdivant. At running back there is Baugh, Jackson, Daniels and Webb. Lastly, we have the financial advisors in tight ends Livingston and Hansen. This group gives Lagway a collection of legit playmakers with experience and youthful exuberance. Florida was the only team to sign three five-star receivers in the class of 2026 and the addition of J. Michael Sturdivant is Van Jefferson in a bigger package.    4. Improved Defense Defense wins championships, and the Gators have made changes in their defensive coaching staff adding Robert Bala (linebackers), Vinny Sunseri (Safeties) and Deron Wilson (cornerbacks). Coordinator Ron Roberts returns as the primary play-caller while stalwarts Tyreak Sapp, and Caleb Banks return upfront.  Much maligned early in 2024, the defense improved over the second half of the season to finish in the top ten in sacks and double the number of takeaways from the previous season. If the defense remains connected throughout the season the talent is there to be one of the SEC’s best defenses. 5. Favorable Home Schedule While an early trip to LSU and midseason ride to A&M loom large, The Gators get their two toughest opponents, Texas and Georgia, at home and on a neutral field in the state of Florida. As bonus, a trip to Miami will most likely feel like a home game as well. The Gators also welcome rivals Tennessee and FSU to The Swamp to finish the season. The Swamp has long been one of the most intimidating venues in college football, where the raucous home crowd provides a distinct advantage. The Gators have played some of their best ball at home under Napier and if that trend holds true life could be hard for the opponents that dare enter.  6. Experience and Leadership This year’s squad features a core of upperclassmen who have been through the rigors of SEC play. The offensive line is built with experience, the defense features several third-, fourth-, and fifth-year players and a quarterback with 7 starts under his belt and 12 career games played. Napier and his assistants including strength coach Tyler Miles, noted the improvements in leadership in the weight room and on the practice field and how this team is ready to handle the physical and mental expectations of the SEC.  Names like Baugh, Barber and cornerback Devin Moore were applauded for their improvements both on and off the field.  7. Emergence of Young Talent Recruiting is the lifeblood of any college football program, and the Gators’ recent classes have injected the team with a wave of young talent. The last two seasons have seen multiple highly ranked prospects make their way to Gainesville. Sophomores Myles Graham, LJ McCray and Jaden Baugh all made an impact in their first season and look to take the next step. The freshmen talent, particularly at receiver, is SEC ready and will be called upon to contribute early. Not out of necessity, but because they are just that good.  In the words of one Florida staffer “Those young receivers will play.” 8. Coach Billy Napier The players love Billy Napier. Let’s start there. He has enhanced the player experience at Florida, and the team has totally bought into what Napier is preaching. This was on full display after disappointing losses to Georgia and Texas. For all that was said after those games by the players, to a man all were adamant that they “believe in Napier.” The improvement that was seen over the last four games of the season is a direct reflection of the belief in the system and that this team is led by the right person. Napier is noted for his attention to detail, a family atmosphere amongst his staff and an open-door policy with the players. The team may falter, but the belief in their leader will never wain.   No college football season is easy, especially in the talent-rich and fiercely competitive SEC. However, the 2025 Florida Gators are armed with the tools, talent and tenacity to win eight games and perhaps even exceed those expectations. With dynamic quarterback play, an improved offensive line, explosive weapons, a revamped defense and the intangible advantages of home-field support and experience, the Gators’ prospects look bright. If the team can mesh quickly and stay healthy, there will be plenty to cheer about as the victories accumulate. The schedule features some of the nation’s best, or as my nephew Jackson puts it’ “Florida plays the Avengers.” The Gators are poised to take the next step and have the tools in the shed to get it done. As camp begins there is work to do and if the work is right, a 9-3 record is a solid bet.

At Media Day presser conference, the 275-pound edge rusher told us he was going to break the sack record. He drew rave reviews from his coaches for his summer workouts and remarkable conditioning, having sculpted his body into a chiseled specimen. More on the Gators and their new roster this week coming from our GatorBait team, including an announcement about our new writer/reporter who will be joining us.

(Photo by Chris Spears) “Who am I? Why am I here?” – Admiral James Stockdale, 1992 vice presidential debate. With the exception of DJ Lagway, who was an all-interplanetary 5-star high school stud ranked the best high school quarterback in the country, we might ask those same questions of the very talented roster that Billy Napier has assembled. From top to bottom, the Gators have a roster that is as deep and talented as anything at the University of Florida in years but it has been quietly, methodically assembled. The Gators may not have an abundance of household names but they have plenty enough to make a rather large splash on the national scene in the fall. It is good enough that when asked Tuesday if the Gators are capable of making the College Football Playoff this year, Napier replied, “We absolutely have aspirations to be a playoff team. That's the intention of coming here is to win championships.” When he answered that question, Napier bore the look of a coach who is quite content with a mostly homegrown ball club that has the look of a contender. In three years on the Florida job, Napier has become the master of the deadpan response. Tuesday, he didn’t exactly bubble over with enthusiasm but there was no mistaking the confidence. He has recruited players who fit the profile of what he expects athletically, academically and culturally. This is a very impressive bunch, recruited to Florida without the fanfare of those high profile classes at Georgia, Alabama, Texas and Ohio State. For all their success on the recruiting trail, those four schools were forced to dip heavily into the transfer portal to fill holes in their 5-star studded rosters. Without many 5-stars and only a bare minimum of outside help – only seven players – brought in from the portal, Napier can field a Florida team that can play with any team in the nation. Despite what some sources describe as a calf strain that will prevent Lagway from fully participating in the first few days of fall camp, Florida has a triggerman capable of spreading the ball around to one of the best collections of skill people to be found anywhere in the country. Up front there is one of the better offensives in the country, led by All-American center Jake Slaughter and left tackle Austin Barber – two of only seven holdovers from the first Florida team Napier sent running out the tunnel in 2022. Slaughter and Barber could hear their names called in the first round when the NFL drafts next fall. They weren’t on everybody’s recruiting radar when they came to UF, but they’ve been developed and now they enter their senior seasons among the top lineman prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft according to Pro Football Focus. Slaughter stayed the course, didn’t transfer and instead chose to outwork everybody on the practice field, weight room and meeting rooms.   This is typical of how the Gators have built the roster to the point that Florida is capable of playing with and beating any team in the country. Napier has excelled in recruiting players who stick around and develop.   “Got a lot of players that are in year two, three, four in this program, these systems, offense, defense and special teams,” Napier said. “And when I look around the room, I see individuals that I have extensive experience with, going all the way back to the recruiting process. So know their story, have been to their schools, have sat in their homes, know their parents and they chose us to some degree as well. So I think it’s a positive in that regard. “I think that college football, the on-boarding process of rookie players is really important and when you have veteran players that have a good understanding of expectations and know what you want and can be a good example to young players, I think that's really important. And I think we've benefited from that. I thought last year's team benefited from that, and I think this year has been probably two or three times as impactful because there's strength in numbers, and I think we have that.” Florida’s recruiting classes lack pizzazz and drool factor but credit Napier and his staff for developing players who evolve into SEC capable standouts. Careful roster construction has resulted in a team that hasn’t a lot of weaknesses and isn’t a patchwork of transfers. The Gators carry a 4-game winning streak into September, which happens to be the longest streak in the SEC heading into 2025, is reason for optimism, but Napier is quick to point out that any success the Gators have in the future will be forged by what goes on in fall camp leading up to the season opener on August 31 with Long Island. Between now and August 31, it is critical for the Gators to establish trust among both teammates and coaches. “So one of the things we're trying to do this month is establish trust,” Napier said. “Each individual has gotta earn confidence himself. He's also trying to earn the confidence of the staff and the confidence of his teammates and I think you do it right out there on the grass between the lines. So I think that's where you prove it to everybody that you can do your job, that we can trust you.”   Trust is one of those intangibles that separates the great teams from those that have this habit of losing games that, on paper at least, they should win. For example, if the quarterback doesn’t trust a certain receiver he will be hesitant to throw him the ball even when he’s open. It is that way on both sides of the football. Coordinators would rather trust the outcome of a play to a lesser talent they believe in rather than put the ball or the game in the hands of someone who doesn’t go about earning trust every single day. So what is the secret? How do players go about earning the trust of both their teammates and their coaches? “It's about the work we do,” Napier said. “It's about today, okay. It’s not about yesterday or tomorrow. It's about today. A good today leads to a good week, leads to a good month, leads to a good season, and you look up and count them up at the end of the year.  “I think for us it's about getting the most out of this group. It's the best thing about coaching football is the challenge of taking, okay, I'm a position coach, I'm going to take this player or this position group and get the most …  I'm the coordinator, I got this unit. How can we get the most out of this group? And for me, it's the team and organization as a whole, right? So I think for us we know that the results will be a product of really buying into the process, being present, stacking good days and creating habits that will hold up on game day. So we got a lot of guys that need to establish that we can trust them, and this next month will present that opportunity.”   Of course, now that the Gators are practicing all eyes will be on Lagway. Healthy, he’s one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. With him there is reason to believe as Napier does that the Gators could be a playoff team, perhaps even a team that makes it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game. Napier didn’t seem ready to sound any alarm bells but did point out that not having Lagway ready to go from day one isn’t the perfect scenario. “He [Lagway], I think, understands what's required to be ready,” Napier said. “It's not ideal, but I think ultimately we'll come up with the best plan we can to have him ready. ” Napier clearly likes the talent with which he can surround Lagway. His is a personnel driven offensive scheme and now he has the trigger, the running backs, the speed at receiver and the bulk up front to build on last year’s end of the season winning streak. “You build your system around what your quarterback can do and what he does well,” Napier said. “And then you build it around the skill players that you have.” The Gators have the skill people to run a real 50-50 balance. With Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson, he has two running backs as good as you will find in the SEC. At wide receiver Dallas Wilson, J. Michael Sturdivant, Tre Wilson, Vernell Brown III, Tank Hawkins, TJ Abrams, Naeshaun Montgomery and Aidan Mizell, there is more speed than the Gators have had since the Tebow years.   There is that teensy matter of defense. In seven of Florida’s eight wins last year and one of the four losses, the defense played very well. It was the Texas game that the defense was the last no-show by the defense. In the four games after that, Florida played at a very high level and there is expected carryover into 2025 under Ron Roberts, who will be in the booth the entire season making the play calls. There have been questions about Florida’s defensive depth but neither Napier nor Roberts seemed particularly concerned. “When I think about our defense, I think about building depth in the secondary, working contingency plans; who's the fourth corner, who's the fourth, fifth, sixth safety. You know, we've gotta develop these two young backers (Myles Graham, Aaron Chiles) and build some depth there at that position. And then after Caleb Banks and Michai Boireau, who else has played some significant snaps in a game? BT (Brien Taylor), Brendan Bett, Tarvorise Brown … and then the rookies obviously have a chance to impact the team: (Joseph) Mbatchou, (Jeremiah) McCloud, (Jayden) Woods.  “So … how many guys can we get ready to play winning football on that side of the ball. We're going to need them. So I think that's the important part of training camp. And, look, we've been working on these things since January. So it's go time now. I think it's time for them to go prove it.”

Mr. College Football, Tony Barnhart wasn't uncomfortable surrounded by Gator greats (Photo by Chris Spears) A journey that began writing for the Union Daily Times in the thriving metropolis of Union, South Carolina, will come to an end this year. Tony Barnhart, known 49 years later as Mr. College Football, is about to call it a retirement well earned at the end of this college football season. Barnhart was honored Saturday evening at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grill in Gainesville, a gathering that included Steve and Jeri Spurrier and former Florida football greats Danny Wuerffel, Shane Matthews and Chris Doering. Barnhart is a Georgia graduate who staked his claim to journalistic fame working for the late, great Furman Bisher with the Atlanta Journal. There were some good-natured barbs about Georgia and mention was made of the fact that neither Wuerffel, Matthews nor Doering ever lost to the Bulldogs. As Florida’s football coach, Spurrier went 11-1 against Georgia, the greatest stretch of success against the Bulldogs in school history. From his start in the newspaper business, Barnhart ventured ever so successfully into broadcasting where he became known as the leading authority on college football while working for CBS, ESPN and the SEC Network. The word that sets him aside from everyone else in the print and broadcasting business is trust. Coaches trust Barnhart. Players trust Barnhart. Everyone associated with the college game trusts him and there is a reason. Tell him something in confidence and remains confidential, which is why he always has the best inside information. Because he can be trusted with their deepest and most personal thoughts, they are willing to share the kind of information no one else can gather. Steve Spurrier talks about his relationship with Tony Barnhart (Photo by Chris Spears) The relationship between Spurrier and Barnhart began when Spurrier was the offensive coordinator at Duke in the early 1980s. Barnhart was working for the late, great Smith Barrier at the Greensboro Daily News where he covered Atlantic Coast Conference football and basketball. In 1984, Barnhart was hired by Bisher to write for the Atlanta Journal. He wrote about the ACC until 1987 when he was promoted to college football editor. Furman Bisher, one of the great sports writers and columnists of our time, always showed up at ball games in coat and tie. Barnhart is known for always arriving at games in coat and tie, his way of honoring Bisher. Saturday night, Spurrier and Barnhart recalled several of the times their paths crossed such as Duke’s stunning 1989 ACC championship when the Blue Devils beat Clemson, the years Florida and Spurrier won six SEC titles and the 1996 national title, plus the South Carolina years. At South Carolina, Spurrier beat then No. 1-ranked Alabama in Columbia, 35-21, a game in which quarterback Stephen Garcia played what Barnhart described as the “greatest game of his career.”   Spurrier called Barnhart the “greatest non-Florida sports writer of all time.” Wuerffel, who won the Heisman Trophy while quarterbacking the Gators to the 1996 national championship, praised Barnhart for being a consistent and ardent supporter of Desire Street Ministries, which is now headquartered in Atlanta. Barnhart pointed out that he and his wife Maria are grateful always that Wuerffel is always willing to assist in any way possible with the many charities and projects in which they are involved.   Barnhart paid tribute to the late Norm Carlson, for decades the great sports information director at the University of Florida. Barnhart recalled when he was first sent to an assignment in Gainesville, Bisher told him that when he arrived go directly to Norm Carlson’s office, something he did that first time and repeated for years every time the assignment brought him to Gainesville for a game. Chris Doering gets a hug from Jeri Spurrier (Photo by Chris Spears)   ***   When the invitation came to be a part of this special evening, I quickly responded yes. I’ve had the chance to admire Tony’s work for decades. If my memory serves me correctly, I was first introduced to him by Claude Felton, the retired sports information director at Georgia and a former colleague of mine with the Savannah News-Press. Claude was the consummate SID. I already knew Tony’s work starting with his days writing ACC basketball. We shared a mutual friendship with the great Dean Smith and we loved the closeness of the Big Four rivals – UNC, Duke, North Carolina State and Wake Forest. It was at the Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville that I saw a side of Tony Barnhart that has always stuck with me. His presence in any press box reminds me of the days when Mr. Bisher arrived. It was like the Red Sea parting for Moses. Tony’s presence is similar but there is no arrogance. He is still the same guy he was growing up in Union Point, Georgia, the same one who started college at Georgia Southern before transferring to the University of Georgia. One of the things I’ve grown to admire most about him is the patience and thoughtfulness in which he takes the time to answer questions from young sports writers. Newspapers die off at a too rapid pace, replaced by websites that have few editors and mentors to help guide the young guys coming up. Tony has always had an encouraging word for the young guys and I think that is one of the reasons he is so revered as well as why he will be missed so much when he walks out of a press box one last time.   I am reminded watching Tony of how I have been so fortunate over the years. My newspaper career began in February 1964 when I was hired to write junior high school sports for the McComb Enterprise-Journal, which paid me the astounding sum of $3 for every story I churned out long hand. When my family was transferred back to Gainesville in December of 1967, I was sick with the flu for three or four days. Bored and stuck in the house on NE 18 th Terrace, I got my sister’s old typing book, my dad’s Remington typewriter and taught myself the basics of typing. It’s important to mention that because the first thing Joe Halberstein asked me when he hired me at the Gainesville Sun in August of 1968 was “can you type?” By then I could already do about 50 words a minute. In January of 1969, I was hired by the late Jack Hairston, then the sports editor of the Jacksonville Journal. Jack became my mentor until the day he died. In the spring of 1969 sitting at Perry Field watching the Gators play the Ole Miss Rebels and their stud shortstop Archie Manning, Jack gave me words that have stuck with me all my life: “Get the story. By the time you write it everybody will know the score. The story is the people who made the score possible. Your job is to get the story.” I had a chance to share that with Tony Barnhart Saturday night. He grinned and said, “Jack Hairston. He was one of the greats. Those are wise words that all of us abide by if we’re going to last in this business.” Tony has lasted 49 years in the business, the last 48 accompanied by his wife Maria, who was his high school sweetheart. She had to drive them to the junior prom because Tony wasn’t old enough to drive yet.    At every stop along the way as he makes it through the 50 th year, Tony Barnhart will be greeted with reverence for years of outstanding work, and sadness that Mr. College Football is calling it quits. He will be sorely missed. There is and will always be only one Mr. College Football.

Florida's Path to Success Can the Gators pick up where they left off last season? They beat LSU and Ole Miss on consecutive weekends, kicking off a 4-game winning streak that propelled UF to an 8-5 record. At the time of the LSU win, many fans called for the firing of Billy Napier. However, Scott Stricklin stuck with his guy. Now, Florida looks like a team that could contend for the playoffs, even with a brutal schedule ahead. CBS Sports assessed the Southeastern Conference. They provided best-case and worst-case scenarios for all teams, giving Florida a ceiling of 10 wins and a potential basement of 6 wins. Brad Crawford from CBS Sports shared his thoughts on Florida’s chances of winning nine or more games. He noted, “A year after staying above water through arguably the toughest schedule in college football history, Florida faces a similar challenge in 2025 -- though maybe not as daunting when you have DJ Lagway at quarterback. Ten wins against this slate would mean a near-automatic playoff berth as an at-large selection.” Achieving ten wins could not only secure the Gators a spot in the playoff. It would also position them as contenders for the SEC Championship Game. Challenges Ahead On the flip side, Crawford warns that the Gators could struggle to break even. He remarked, “There might not be a team in the country with two tougher road games than what the Gators must endure in September -- at LSU and Miami. Losing both would be catastrophic given a home bout with Texas comes just two weeks later.” Five games in November will also include challenges against Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. This is where the program found its momentum last fall. SEC Team Overview Alabama Lindy’s: 8 Athlon: 8 ESPN: 3 Sporting News: 8 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 12-0/8-4 Alabama had a 9-4 record last year, with Jalen Milroe at quarterback. This season, they’ll start Ty Simpson. Although he has previously thrown 50 passes in three years at Tuscaloosa, he remains untested. The running game is underwhelming. For Alabama to reach 10 wins, their defense must excel. Prediction: 9-3 Arkansas Lindy’s: 61 Athlon: 39 ESPN: 22 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 8-4/3-9 Arkansas finished last season 7-6. To improve, they will need to win shootouts, especially since only three starters return on offense. Quarterback Taylen Green has new receivers. The Hogs struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks last year. Prediction: 4-8 Auburn Lindy’s: 27 Auburn: 31 ESPN: 14 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 9-3/5-7 The predictions for Auburn are mixed. While a 9-3 record is possible, it seems improbable. New QB Jackson Arnold, an Oklahoma transfer, could provide stability. Auburn's O-line must control the game, especially since their defense looks vulnerable. Prediction: 7-5 Florida Lindy’s: 15 Athlon: 11 ESPN: 18 Sporting News: 11 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 10-2/6-6 Despite a brutal schedule, expectations are high for the Gators this year. DJ Lagway might emerge as the country’s best QB. Florida’s offensive line is projected to lead the SEC. With talented receivers and running backs like Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson, the offensive potential is immense. The real questions lie on defense. If they replicate last season's late pressure, they should excel. Prediction: 10-2 Georgia Lindy’s: 9 Athlon: 4 ESPN: 2 Sporting News: 3 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 12-0/8-4 Georgia faces changes on both sides of the ball. They need their restructured O-line to support quarterback Gunner Stockton. With a favorable non-conference schedule and key matches at home against Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas, they remain championship contenders. Prediction: 10-2 Kentucky Lindy’s: 64 Athlon: 46 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 6-6/3-9 Kentucky's offense struggled last season and shows few signs of improvement. The team relies heavily on their running game, and quarterback issues persist. Zach Calzada, an alum of Texas A&M, Auburn, and Incarnate Word, will lead the offense. Prediction: 2-10 LSU Lindy’s: 5 Athlon: 7 ESPN: 12 Sporting News: 9 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 11-1/6-6 Known for their talent, LSU needs to overcome a history of underperformance. They face tough matches early, including at Clemson and Florida. Their lineup needs to improve significantly to compete. Prediction: 8-4 Mississippi State Lindy’s: 84 Athlon: 66 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 5-7/2-10 Currently, Mississippi State is not positioned to compete effectively. New coaching changes and player challenges will make this year difficult. Prediction: 2-10 Missouri Lindy’s: 29 Athlon: 32 ESPN: 23 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 10-2/5-7 Missouri could surprise fans this season. Eli Drinkwitz typically exceeds expectations. With talented QB Beau Pribula leading the offensive charge, watch out for Missouri. Prediction: 9-3 Oklahoma Lindy’s: 12 Athlon: 20 ESPN: 16 Sporting News: 24 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 10-2/5-7 This season is pivotal for Brent Venables. With a strong QB like John Mateer, Oklahoma aims for higher achievements. The focus will be on improving the defense under Venables’ direct control. Prediction: 8-4 Ole Miss Lindy’s: 19 Athlon: 18 ESPN: 13 Sporting News: 15 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 10-2/6-6 Under Lane Kiffin's leadership, Ole Miss remains competitive. They will rely on their dynamic quarterback, sophomore Austin Simmons, as well as their offensive line's performance. Prediction: 8-4 South Carolina Lindy’s: 13 Athlon: 12 ESPN: 15 Sporting News: 13 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 10-2/5-7 LaNorris Sellers has fans excited, often comparing him to Cam Newton. The offense looks promising, but defensive weaknesses and heavy losses on the D-line could hinder their success. Prediction: 7-5 Tennessee Lindy’s: 32 Athlon: 21 ESPN: 10 Sporting News: 18 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 10-2/7-5 Expectations may be too high for Tennessee. Their quarterback situation is unsettled, with Joey Aguilar stepping in without spring practice. Improved defense is a must for any chance at a successful season. Prediction: 6-6 Texas Lindy’s: 1 Athlon: 2 ESPN: 1 Sporting News: 1 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 12-0/8-4 Arch Manning's debut is highly anticipated. He must deliver for Texas to be true championship contenders. The defense is already formidable, which bodes well for the Longhorns. Prediction: 11-1 Texas A&M Lindy’s: 34 Athlon: 19 ESPN: 8 Sporting News: 20 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 10-2/5-7 Texas A&M's reliance on transfers could limit their chances this season. They will need to find stability in their performance to avoid losing multiple games. Prediction: 6-6 Vanderbilt Lindy’s: 63 Athlon: 40 Best/Worst Case per CBS: 9-3/4-8 With QB Diego Pavia back for another year, Vanderbilt's competitiveness hinges on their O-line's performance. They need to keep Pavia protected to achieve a successful season. Prediction: 6-6