Florida Football team lineup chart and score predictions for the 2024 season

As head coach Billy Napier enters his third year with the Florida football team, he must show progress to maintain the trust of fans and his bosses.

With 14 returning starters and a more experienced, mature roster, the Florida Gators should make some progress. But with a schedule that ESPN’s Football Power Index ranks as the toughest in the country, they’re unlikely to rack up many more wins.

Florida should get enough wins to save Napier’s job for a fourth year and gain bowl eligibility again after a year away. Expect the Gators to get off to a fast start before injuries start to set in. The roster isn’t deep enough for the brutal final stretch of the schedule, when Florida faces five teams ranked in the top 12 of the US LBM preseason coaches poll to close out the regular season.

Here is a game-by-game prediction for the 2024 Florida football season:

Game 1: Florida Football 28, Miami 24

A revamped Florida defense will force Miami quarterback Cam Ward into three turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble) to gain an early lead. The Hurricanes will fight their way back into the game with their running game and defense, but the Gators will find a way to prevail and extend their home opener winning streak to 35 games.

Game 2: Florida 45, Samford 7

Graham Mertz will throw four touchdown passes before being subbed out midway through the third quarter for freshman quarterback DJ Lagway, who will score his first touchdown for the Gators on the ground. Florida’s defense will continue its solid play and shut down the Bulldogs.

Game 3: Florida 23, Texas A&M 14

The Gators will struggle in the red zone as head coach Mike Elko will bring an improved Texas A&M defense to the Swamp. But Florida will get three field goals from All-SEC kicker Trey Smack to keep the Aggies at bay.

Game 4: Florida 35, Mississippi State 24

Mertz will have another big day in Florida’s first SEC road game, scoring 4 touchdowns. The Gators defense will struggle early against an improved Mississippi State offense under head coach Jeff Lebby. But UF will end up forcing a key possession to silence the cowbells in Starkville and take the 4-0 win.

Game 5: Florida 38, UCF 24

Florida will avenge its Gasparilla Bowl loss to the Knights with another big game from Mertz, who will throw three more touchdowns. UF’s defense will continue to falter under co-coordinators Austin Armstrong and Ron Roberts, but will not crumble.

Game 6: Tennessee 37, Florida 28

Florida will suffer its first loss of the season at Rocky Top, as Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava will account for five touchdowns (three passing, two running). Mertz will play hard in the face of constant pressure, but UF’s offense will be no match for James Pearce Jr. and the rest of the Vols’ defensive front.

Game 7: Florida 28, Kentucky 17

A comeback game for Florida as the Gators return to the Swamp looking to end a three-game losing streak against the Wildcats. Florida will get another solid game from Mertz (3 TD passes) and some defensive turnovers to get the job done.

Game 8: Georgia 38, Florida 28

Florida will be more competitive in Napier’s third meeting with Georgia, coached by Kirby Smart, in Jacksonville, but the Bulldogs will again prove too physical on both sides of the ball for Florida to keep up. Carson Beck will throw four touchdown passes for Georgia, leading the Bulldogs to their seventh win in the last eight meetings of the border rivalry.

Game 9: Texas 34, Florida 20

Florida’s first trip to Austin since 1939 will not end well. The loss to Georgia will linger as Florida’s offense will struggle with a hostile crowd and lost the ball three times. Quinn Ewers will throw three touchdowns for the Longhorns.

Game 10: Florida 35, LSU 31

Florida will be happy to return to the Swamp and record its first win against LSU since 2018. The Gators will record three interceptions against LSU starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and Mertz will return to form and throw 4 touchdown passes for the Gators.

Game 11: Ole Miss 45, Florida 35

Florida will suffer its only loss of the season in the final home game at The Swamp, while Ole Miss will enter with a mission to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin will confuse the Florida defense with his plays. Former UF defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen will help Ole Miss secure the win with a big sack of Mertz in the fourth quarter.

Game 12: Florida State 28, Florida 24

Florida will play tough against its rival, but it won’t be enough in Tallahassee to avoid a third straight loss to the Seminoles. Mertz will last the entire season, despite being sacked three more times by FSU’s strong defense, led by Marvin Jones Jr. FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei will make just enough plays to decide the game.

Florida Football Projected Lineup

attack

QB- Graham Mertz Sr., DJ Lagway Fr.

WR —Eugene Wilson III So., Elijhah Badger, Sr.

WR — Kahleil Jackson Jr., Marcus Burke, Jr.

WR — Chimere Dike Sr., Aidan Mizell, So.

RB — Montrell Johnson Jr. Sr., Treyaun Webb, So.

T.E. — Arlis Boardingham So., Hayden Hansen, So.

LT- Austin Barber Jr., Devon Manuel Jr.

lg — Knijeah Harris So., Christian Williams, So.

C- Jake Slaughter Jr., Roderick Kearney, So.

RG — Dameion George Jr. Jr., Roderick Kearney, So.

RT- Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson Sr., Kamryn Waites, Jr.

defense

EDGE – TJ Searcy So., Kamran James, So.

DT- Cam Jackson Sr., Joey Slackman Sr.

DT — Caleb Banks Jr., Desmond Watson Sr.

EN —Tyreak Sapp Jr., Justus Boone, Jr.

POUND — Shemar James Jr., Derek Wingo Sr.

POUND — Grayson Howard So., RJ Moten Sr.

CB-CB — Jason Marshall Jr. Sr., Ja’Keem Jackson So.

CB-CB — Devin Moore Jr., Dijon Johnson So.

S – Asa Turner Sr., Bryce Thornton So.

S – Jordan Castell So., DJ Douglas, Sr.

STAR – Sharif Denson Sun, Aaron Gates Fr.

Special teams

P – Jeremy Crawshaw Sr., Jack Mose Fr.

K — Trey Smack Jr., Hunter Smith Jr.

LS- Rocco Underwood Jr., Gannon Burt Jr.

PR- Eugene Wilson III So., Chimere Dike Sr.

KR — Aidan Mizell So., Tank Hawkins Fr.