If only I could see into the future, I could have made a fortune this football season.
Yeah, I’ll take South Carolina and the points against Tennessee. Sure, I’ll take Vanderbilt and the points against Florida. Of course, I will wager my pension on Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Alas, I cannot see the future and until Stewie from Family Guy perfects his time machine, I’m guessing just like the rest of you.
But that’s a part of sports, isn’t it? Trying to figure out what will happen next pays a lot of salaries for radio and TV hosts, the city of Las Vegas and Andy Cohen.
Still, we press on with a little bit of knowledge mixed with past history and total guesses.
On the latest 12 things, let’s take a look at the alleged future with a dozen predictions about Gator sports during 2023.
1
The backup quarterback will be so popular
Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun
Especially if it is Jaden Rashada. Graham Mertz did not come here to be a backup so you would think he will start the season. But with all of the publicity of the recruitment of Rashada you know it is going to be an issue after the first incompletion.
The truth is that Gator fans have been in this mode for a while – insisting the next guy has to be better. After Tim Tebow, there has been only one success story at the position and Kyle Trask was forced into action by injury.
2
Anthony Richardson will go higher in the draft than you think
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
I know there are a lot of fans out there who think Richardson is not that good and the NFL will see right through it. The opposite is actually true.
He will wow them all at the combine. He will throw either there or at Pro Day in Gainesville where there are no decisions to make. He will be selected in the first round and even the haters will embrace him then.
3
Mike Holloway will win a national title
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Maybe more than one. It is a little bit of a luxury to have four chances and last year Mouse won three. The man knows how to get the right athletes to Florida, train them to be elite and keep on winning.
There is a trick to winning these championships. Some of it involves heavy math so we’ll leave that alone. The dude knows how to get hardware. So, this is actually an easy prediction.
4
Jenny Rowland will get her title
AP Photo/Gary McCullough
So close last year. This team is loaded once again, especially with Trinity Thomas coming back. Of course, gymnastics is a sport where there are rarely Cinderellas so the traditional powers are just as powerful as always.
I just have a hunch that things break Florida’s way this year.
5
Billy Napier will be a better play-caller
Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun
Look, Napier is a smart guy who has 345,219 staff members. They will figure out what went wrong this season with some of the play calls and clock management.
I also believe Napier will be more comfortable in his own skin and be more imaginative. And it’s not like Florida was bad on offense. It was just that Florida was bad at some crucial spots in some crucial games.
He’ll figure it out.
6
The Ring of Honor will remain a six-some
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Yeah, Urban Meyer was being eased back into the Gator Nation. Then came Jacksonville. Now, it seems that the only person who is eligible for the Ring is going to have to wait a while.
After he spoke to the Gainesville Quarterback Club and I saw the way people were so grateful to have him back, I realized that the guy who won two national titles and is responsible for many of Florida’s traditions (Gator Walk, singing the fight song, beating Tennessee) needs to go in.
But it may be a minute or two. The interesting thing will be to see if Florida does change the criteria at some point. It’s too restrictive.
7
Neither basketball team makes the NCAA Tournament
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sorry, but I just don’t see it. Every time either the men or the women play against a good team, it doesn’t go well.
That tells me that it won’t be different in SEC play where both face loaded schedules. The resumes are not worthy now of being in and there is a path, but both of them have to beat somebody first.
8
But baseball and softball go far
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union
Softball went all the way to Oklahoma City last year and there is no reason to think that can’t happen again. This is a stacked team, especially if the freshmen come through.
Same with baseball. Kevin O’Sullivan always has good pitching and this year it could be really special. It’s time for baseball to get out of the first round and this year should be a lock. Where they go from there depends as much on the regular season and hosting as much as anything.
9
The over/under for Florida football wins will be 7.5
Syndication: Argus Leader
That’s where I have it. When the boys in Vegas get serious about this stuff after this season, they will look at Florida’s schedule and have a difficult time finding eight wins.
In 2022, it was seven so we hope you had the under. Man, that Vanderbilt game changed a lot of things.
10
Florida wins more than six women’s soccer matches
AP Photo/The Island Packet, Jay Karr
Because that’s how many UF has won in two seasons under two different coaches. Total. It has to be better, right? Does Abby Wambach have any eligibility left?
I remember people standing on their heads to watch matches at the track. It would be nice to see some big events again.
11
Your faith will be restored
