GAINESVILLE — Florida looks to snap a four-game skid against Georgia with interim coach Billy Gonzales in charge, a new plan on offense, players still reeling after Billy Napier’s recent firing and a coaching search transpiring in the background.
While the Gators (3-4, 2-2 SEC) push to salvage a lost season with a November to remember, the No. 5 Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC) are in the hunt for their third SEC title in four years and fourth CFB berth in five seasons.
Questions about the current state and future of Florida’s program hang in the balance entering a rivalry game Georgia has dominated, winning seven of the past eight meetings.
How quickly can Florida hire a head coach?
After Napier’s Oct. 19 ouster, athletic director Scott Stricklin said time is on his side. Yet, the timetable is tricky, especially with Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin presumably the top target.
The No. 7 Rebels’ road to a CFP bid became considerably clearer after last Saturday’s 34-26 win at Oklahoma. Ole Miss has three consecutive games at home, where Kiffin has won 21 of his past 22 outings. Following a bye week, his team visits Mississippi State, currently losers of 16 straight SEC games.
UF athletic director Scott Stricklin, shown at a July 2024 football practice, faces a tricky timetable as he looks to hire a new coach, especially if Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin is the top target. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
The four remaining opponents, including Florida on Nov. 15, have a combined 16-18 record.
An 11-1 Ole Miss team would surely host a first-round playoff game Dec. 19 or 20. Win and the Rebels would play again New Year’s Day, with a Jan. 8 or 9 semifinals berth at stake. The title game is Jan. 19 in Miami.
If Ole Miss gets hot in the postseason, they’ll be chanting “Hotty Toddy” in Oxford while Florida’s search remains in limbo. Kiffin also could end the drama, ink a new deal and swear his allegiance to the Rebels. The 50-year-old, however, rarely shuns the spotlight or provides certainty.
Potential conflicts also arise with National Signing Day on Dec. 3 and the transfer portal opening Jan. 3.
The Gators could go in a surer direction. Stricklin, though, would have a hard time selling Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, Washington’s Jedd Fisch or another candidate if there’s a shot to steer the Lane Train to Gainesville.
Patience and confidence will be tested, especially with LSU suddenly in the mix after firing Brian Kelly.
Five games remain for Florida, but game within the game has everyone’s undivided attention.
Will the Gators truly look different on offense?
Gonzales is making changes to energize an attack averaging an SEC-low 17 points against FBS foes.
Quarterback analyst Ryan O’Hara will call plays. Offensive coordinator Russ Callaway, who gained experience in Chris Hatcher’s “Air Raid” at Samford, aims to open up the playbook. Even offensive analyst Steve Spurrier Jr. will be in on the action, working on the sideline with quarterback DJ Lagway while hoping to find some Fun n’ Gun magic.
Four-receiver sets could replace the two-tight end formations Napier relied heavily upon to his peril.
The key will be Lagway, who has been mired in a sophomore slump following an injury-filled offseason. Among SEC signal callers, his 127.84 rating is higher than only Auburn’s Jackson Arnold, who was benched during last Saturday’s comeback win at Arkansas.
Lagway showed signs of turning the corner during a 29-21 win against Texas. But Texas A&M shut him down after a fast start and Mississippi State intercepted him twice.
Gonzales, a longtime receivers coach, is optimistic.
“He’s progressing,” he said. “I just got done writing some notes … make great decisions and have a high completion percentage. Those are two things we talk about all the time. I’m excited for him.”
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, right, talks with former head coach Billy Napier, left, during a timeout of the Gators’ 34-17 loss Oct. 11 at Texas A&M. (Sam Craft/The Associated Press)
Could backup QB Trammel Jones Jr. see action?
If Lagway struggles, Jones could get his chance in his hometown.
The former Jacksonville Mandarin star was razor-sharp during the Gators’ season-opening win against Long Island University. Yet even when Lagway threw a pick-six for his fourth of five interceptions at LSU, Jones remained on the sideline.
“I don’t subscribe to that theory,” Napier said after the Sept. 13 loss. “DJ’s our quarterback.”
Gonzales might have different ideas. The 54-year-old in his 12th season at UF is loyal not only to Lagway, but to the Gators. If Florida’s offense struggles, Gonzales could decide shaking up the status quo is the way to go.
Is Georgia still Georgia?
The Bulldogs remain the SEC’s gold standard. This is also no longer the program in pursuit of a historic three-peat in 2023.
Smart noted recently he can no longer stockpile talent because of the portal, leaving Georgia with pedestrian running backs and without receiver depth, further exposed by Colbie Young’s broken leg. Tight end Lawson Luckie’s 3-touchdown performance against Ole Miss was an outlier for a unit featuring All-America Brock Bowers during the championship years.
Georgia’s defense, the backbone of Kirby Smart’s success, has an SEC-low 8 sacks, fewer takeaways (6) than only two teams and ranks 12th in pass defense.
Despite his team’s shortcomings, Smart has found a way to win. Georgia has trailed at halftime in four of five SEC games, but recovered in time to win all but one — a 24-21 loss to Alabama.
Even so, Georgia is as vulnerable as its been since the 2020 Gators beat the Bulldogs.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
