FSU football fans seem like they deal with their fair share of opposing rival fanbases hyping their respective teams each season before making excuses of what “could have been” by Week 4.
Yes I’m referring to you, Miami Hurricane and Florida Gator fanbases.
Most recently, second-year head football coach Billy Napier and his Florida Gators squad were left searching for answers in their 2023 season opener against the Utah Utes, where they defeated by a score of 24-11. To make matters worse, the Utes started backup QB Bryson Barnes due to veteran Cam Rising still battling a season-ending knee injury suffered in the Rose Bowl last season.
Florida’s offensive unit looked discombobulated all night. While they finished with 346 total yards (out-gaining Utah 346-270), the Gators’ offense finished 1/13 on the third down conversions. Not to mention, they backed myself in a corner, with accumulating nine penalties for 46 yards.
FSU Twitter (X) has been absolutely ruthless in terms of letting opposing fanbases know when their teams are underperforming. On Thursday night and Friday morning, Nole Nation let the Gators know they were in deep trouble for the 2023 season.
UF-UTAH REACTIONS
Lmao 😭😭😭 the pettiness. Yesssssiirr!!! Cfb 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/KVxQWO4av0
— Nolehighlights (@Jaythealbum) September 1, 2023
1/13 on 3rd downs
— C.J. Wilson (@CjWilson850) September 1, 2023
The flagship way pic.twitter.com/FzuL6hscyj
I can't believe I'm looking this up, but because Taggart is trending...
— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) September 1, 2023
Billy Napier's first 14 games w/ #Gators : 6-8 w/ 0 wins over rivals
Taggart's first 14 games at #FSU: 6-8 w/ 0 wins over rivals. https://t.co/zVn9ZeZkFq
#Gator #UF #BillyNapier Fans not realizing Sunbelt Billy is Taggart 2.0
— The ACCs Funeral Procession - ℕ𝕠𝕝𝕖𝕋𝕚𝕘𝕚𝕥𝕪. (@Tigity11) September 1, 2023
We playing with 8 men now.🤣🤣🤣#GoGators pic.twitter.com/cS0BZ6cIMb
New Netflix docu series “ Swamp Ass” will premier November 1st
— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) September 1, 2023
This documentary will cover Billy Napier’s time in the Swamp pic.twitter.com/jKCxGKJsH6
Billy Napier trying to get into that facility this morning after last night’s performance 🤣🤣🤣pic.twitter.com/T4kbQcRJVj
— D.S.G.B 🐶 (@TheRealRashaud) September 1, 2023
On 4th and 3, Florida had 2 players on the field with the same number. Gave Utah a first down
— Nick Perkins (@NPerkins96) September 1, 2023
Billy Napier might get left at the airport pic.twitter.com/wdul1g7w78
Billy Napier at halftime pic.twitter.com/3abWDnF7xt
— Courtney McKinney (@CourtAnne1225) September 1, 2023
Billy Napier is 0-4 & has been outscored 130-76 in his last 4 games as Florida's head coach: 😬
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) September 1, 2023
- 31-24 Loss to Vanderbilt
- 45-38 Loss to Florida State
- 30-3 Loss to Oregon State
- 24-11 Loss to Utah pic.twitter.com/fkiXKDzPua
ANALYSIS
According to DraftKings, the Florida Gators list at a 5.5 over/under season win total. After finishing with a 6-7 record in 2022, Florida fans are searching for solutions to accomplish their first 10-win season since 2019.
The process seems to be a bit tedious, considering that they have notable remaining games on the docket, such as Tennessee, Kentucky, Vanderbilt (watch out), South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, LSU, Missouri, and Florida State.
The Seminoles have went through their set of difficulties with finding consistency in their program, where they suffered four straight losing seasons from 2018-2021. However, fourth-year head football coach Mike Norvell seems to have Florida State trending in the right direction. It’s funny how quickly the tables have turned.