Florida Projected to Make Disappointing Bowl Game Against In-State Program

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There is a thought going around college football that the Florida Gators could have an outside shot to make the College Football Playoff in Jon Sumrall's first season as coach.

The Gators are returning substantial talent from a roster that was expected to compete for the CFP last year, but underwhelmed with a 4-8 finish. 

However, Florida has serious questions on the offensive line, the secondary, and with its quarterback battle between Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr.

CBS Sports has a sour bowl projection for the Gators, predicting them to play South Florida in the Cure Bowl.

Last year's Cure Bowl featured 9-3 Old Dominion against 9-3 South Florida.

Florida certainly wants to go to a better bowl than that, if not making the CFP. But given the caliber of schedule the Gators will play this season, that could be the type of game they're bound for this winter.

Sumrall was adamant this spring that he wanted Florida to make a bowl game this season. While 6-6 should be the floor, the Gators have the potential to be an eight or nine-win team.

Certainly, the fans base wants more this year. Napier said earlier this year that he wanted the results on the field to match the team's sell-outs at "The Swamp".

"To Gator Nation, part of why I chose Florida, as a head coach, you become in that role because they have to choose you, but you have to choose them back,'' Sumrall said. "Part of why I chose Florida was because of the passion of our fan base. 

"Football matters at the University of Florida. Our fan base cares deeply. We have 18 straight sell-outs through maybe not ideal on-the-field results. We have a long way to go to catch the record at Florida. So, we have to keep moving forward to keep that going."

Florida has a couple of early tests that will define its season. The Gators will travel to play Auburn on Sept. 19 before hosting No. 9 Ole Miss on Sept. 26. If Florida can win those games, it should be looking for a more prestigious postseason this winter.

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