The Florida Gators climb the ESPN FPI | Latest recruiting updates

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In this episode of Gators Breakdown, David Waters engages with Gators Breakdown Plus members. They discuss the Florida Gators rising in the ESPN Football Power Index Rankings and the latest developments on the recruiting trail.
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[@ChristopherBullard-np5hz]

If nothing else, at the end of the season if this Florida team makes it to the CFP they will definitely be battle tested!!! GATORS BY A MILLION!!!!

[@ppearson35N]

49:17 I thought we were in it for Wilson at Tampa Tech

[@GatorsBreakdown]

We are

[@yeolebast4665]

Happy birthday Dave you beautiful bastard

[@halhenderson9020]

Yeah I am tired of hearing schedule too. Did this for reason, so Gators just need to toughen up. Maybe this will help. I’m tired of injuries , know part of it. But I believe haven’t prepared right over the years. Maybe all this staff can get these players ready. Mental toughness has to improve. Believe that is a huge issue over the last several years. Discipline and mental toughness .

[@Greedy17]

We need dat mock class 1.0 Dave

[@nicholasm3045]

I am so tired of hearing about this damn schedule. Florida plays 9 teams on this schedule with new quarterbacks. Florida plays 7 home games and 9 in the state of Florida out of 12. Florida has experience on the oline, experience in the secondary, linebacker, at cornerback. They have experience at tight end running back and at receiver and Quarterback. Stop crying about this damn schedule. I expect 8 or 9 games out of Florida. Period!! My prediction is 9. Let’s get it!!

[@GatorsBreakdown]

As I have said plenty of times. It is a hard schedule, but that shouldn't halt progress. If Florida goes on to win 8-9 games, a lot of credit will most likely need to be given. There are some angles you mentioned that can also pay off for teams. We saw a good Graham Mertz in year one at UF last season, so first year QBs don't really count as a hit too much to me as we have also seen it other places that guys can just fit right in. More wins will mostly come from that Florida improved drastically IMO, not that opponents failed to live up to expectations.

[@adammauer6424]

The ceiling with that schedule is 8 wins and that’s asking a lot from a defense that hasn’t shown it could play since 2019 and an o line that couldn’t block a 95 lb cheerleader last season

[@bullgator]

Prepare to be disappointed

[@nicholasm3045]

@@GatorsBreakdown i think it’s both David. I think opponents won’t live up to expectations and Florida will be much improved. I don’t think the schedule is tuff as far as strong opponents. I think it will be tuff because of the ware and tear. If this was last year with Florida state and lsu as strong as they were, then I would say it’s a little tuff. To many teams on this schedule lost to much. College football is about continuity. Florida has it, nine of the teams on this schedule don’t. Georgia, Texas and Ole miss does and those are the teams you will have to worry about.

[@michaelhoward4173]

But it’s frustrating considering the goal is to make the playoffs and it’s going to be much easier for teams with easier schedules.. the last 5 games with no bye is BRUTAL. But you’re right who cares let’s win 9!!!!!

[@mljrotag6343]

Not landing elite WRs, to me, is clearly an indictment of how our offense is generally perceived by WRs. Between, AR, Mertz, Lagway and our recent 2026 QB commitment, it is not about having good QB talent. Most of the time, having the QB automatically leads to elite WR recruiting....but not with us. A lot of public comments by talking heads have been made about unimaginative and pedestrian route combinations. I have to think that noise is part of the problem.

[@eliyawahamashi8310]

Yep! Been saying this. Offense is so lame and dull. Elite WRs are headed to OSU for a reason. Even FSU attracts elite WR talent. On top of that, I don't believe in Napier as a play caller at all. He's predictable and rhythm less and that's putting it mildly

[@tooquick20]

Tre Wilson is not an elite WR ?

[@eliyawahamashi8310]

@@tooquick20 elite meaning a WR1 type big bodied archetype

[@tooquick20]

@eliyawahamashi8310 All WR1s are not "big bodied", they come in all sizes/play styles and skillsets.

[@mljrotag6343]

@tooquick20 A very good prospect/ athlete who played great as a space after catch guy. Mostly catching screens and short passes. He is valuable, no doubt, but we are generally not landing the top WRs, especially in our own state despite having good QBs.

[@ltzJB]

Never thought I'd be defending Scott Stricklin, but part of his job is finding high profile matchups. There's no way he could have known that the SEC would give us the schedule we have. The ooc games are tough, but they're all winnable. I expect 7 wins, maybe more if we're lucky. Did I really hear someone complaining about playing ucf? I get it. They're much better than they used to be, but come on.

[@mizer9510]

5 at most. I have no confidence they will not continue to shoot themselves in the foot and lose games because of dumb plays.

[@dustinmorrison9559]

Explain Ricky pearsal then

[@JamesFerguson1313]

Go Gators 🐊

[@courtneypostlewaite9418]

Go Gators 🐊!!!!!.....

[@hardwiredtoself-destructio7614]

🐊🐊