Florida hopes to contend but needs to do this
ESPN Names Florida’s ‘Ifs’ for 2025 National Title Contention originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The 2025 college football season is just over a month away. With this, fanatics around the sport are locking down their bets for who will be crowned national champions in Miami Gardens, Florida, in January. One team bettors may want to check out is the Florida Gators.
Florida is coming off an 8-5 season in 2024, but a four-game winning streak to close the year has many fans hopeful of contention this time around.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Bill Connelly released his "Ifs List" for the upcoming season, naming ways contenders can become viable College Football Playoff threats. In this, he labeled the Gators as one of 14 teams that can realistically win the title.
Connelly gave Florida, which currently has +4000 odds to win the national championship, per ESPN Bet, four "ifs" for its end-of-season contention.
"If... Lagway is what we think he is," was Connelly's first "if" for the Gators.
This is the biggest question for many Florida hopefuls this year. DJ Lagway, who is entering his sophomore season, started seven games at quarterback as a freshman last year. He had an astounding 6-1 record in those games, including a pair of ranked victories over the LSU Tigers and Ole Miss Rebels.
"If... he has receivers," was Connelly's second condition.
Lagway and the Gators lost their top two receiving threats from 2024 to the NFL, which leaves sophomores Eugene Wilson III and Aidan Mizell as the most intimidating returners. Florida also has some new faces in the wideout room in UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant and five-star freshmen Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown Jr.
"If... last season's sophomore defenders become steely-eyed veterans," was the third "if."
The Gators had a very young defensive group last year, with eight of 12 returning defenders still being underclassmen in 2025. Connelly especially called on nickel Sharif Denson and linebacker Grayson Howard to have big years if Florida wants to contend.
"If ... the Gators have the depth to survive this ridiculous schedule," was Connelly's final "if" for the 2025 Gators.
Florida has the toughest schedule in the country this season, according to ESPN. Because of this, even after the gauntlet Billy Napier's team had to go through last year, the Gators will need to have even more and better depth this season to contend.
While Florida is currently seen as a long shot to win the title this year, if the Gators can do these four things, they could produce exciting results come January.
Related: Florida Gators RB a 'Need to Know Name' in 2025
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
