How much heat is on UF’s Napier among burning questions heading to LSU

GAINESVILLE — That didn’t take long.

Billy Napier is back on the hot seat as Florida (1-1) opens SEC play at No. 3 LSU after the Gators’ staggering loss to unranked USF Saturday night in the Swamp.

The Tigers (2-0) are a tough out at home, where the Gators have won just twice in 10 tries since 2003.

The questions entering Saturday night’s visit to storied Tiger Stadium begin with the obvious.

How much heat is on Napier?

Plenty, yet a lot of football also remains. But so do the same problems that have plagued Napier in the past.

Napier’s play-calling was at times predictable and execution too often spotty against USF. Tempo and rhythm were MIA.

Of UF’s 71 plays, 24 gained a yard or fewer.

Meanwhile, the leadership, discipline and accountability touted throughout the offseason were absent during a mistake-filled performance featuring 11 penalties for 103 yards — two negating touchdowns and two more committed on the Bulls’ game-winning drive.

Veteran long-snapper Rocco Underwood sailed one, leading to a safety for USF. A couple of critical dropped passes cost the Gators a touchdown and a critical third-down conversion late in the game.

Sloppy, undisciplined football in Year 4 is hard to justify. So is a clunky, unimaginative offense as Napier insists on calling plays.

UF athletic director Scott Stricklin gave Napier a vote of confidence in November, and UF responded with a season-ending four-game winning streak. This time, Napier might have to save himself.

Is this the toughest three-game stretch in school history?

Not quite, but close.

The meat of a schedule considered perhaps the toughest in the nation has lived up to its billing.

Based on the current AP Top 25, the Gators are set to face a gauntlet almost unlike any other. A night game in Tiger Stadium followed by a visit to No. 5 Miami precede a Sept. 27 bye. Next is an Oct. 4 home date with No. 7 Texas.

Only once has UF faced three consecutive opponents with a lower combined ranking (15). In 1996, UF twice played No. 1 Florida State, including in the Gators’ Sugar Bowl win to earn the national championship, and No. 11 Alabama in the SEC title game — a 45-30 win.

Just three other times have three consecutive Florida foes featured a combined ranking of 20 or lower — in 1959, 1994 and 1999.

Those times it wasn’t so pretty; UF amassed a winning percentage of just 11%.

Bob Woodruff’s ’59 squad faced No. 1 LSU, No. 8 Auburn and No. 11 Georgia, going 0-3 by a combined score of 36-10. Steve Spurrier’s ’99 team also was winless against No. 1 Florida State, No. 7 Alabama and No. 9 Michigan State, a 37-34 loss in the Citrus Bowl.

Spurrier’s ’94 Gators were a respectable 1-1-1 against No. 7 Florida State, No. 3 Alabama and No. 7 FSU in the Sugar Bowl, with the win a 24-23 decision in the SEC title game against Bama. But the tie was in the infamous 31-31 Choke at Doak, where UF allowed 28 unanswered fourth-quarter points.

Based on history alone, Napier faces long odds during the next three games. And don’t forget a trip to No. 16 Texas A&M follows this demanding trifecta.

Can lightning strike twice?

Florida been here before under Napier, who has never started 2-0 in four seasons. Twice, slow starts ended in losing 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 2024, things got worse before better, with changes made during a Week 5 bye week spurring a surprising turnaround culminating with a four-game winning streak for an 8-5 finish.

If nothing else, UF has a template.

“‘Do we take the lessons that we learned?’” Napier said. “I’m anxious to see this group and how we are going to respond. It’s not just me. It’s the leadership.

“So far, so good, but you don’t know until you play again.”

The Gators veterans will lean into last season’s experience and push younger players to dig the Gators out of another unexpected early-season hole.

“There’s definitely a calling among older guys,” fifth-year senior Jake Slaughter said.

UF’s All-American center recalled fifth-year senior Tyreak Sapp’s fiery postgame locker room speech, “inspiring guys who are just as competitive and passionate as he is.”

Whether Slaughter, Sapp and shared history will get the Gators on track will depend on whether the two veterans can elevate their own play and their units can perform to the levels expected entering the season.

Every position on the offensive line picked up a penalty against USF, and the Gators struggled to contain dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown (66 rushing yards) and could not get him on the ground (one sack).

“Any time you go out there, that’s the easiest way to lose is to beat yourself,” Slaughter said. “Very frustrating.”

Where’s the Gators’ edge?

Sapp, George Gumbs Jr. and Co. were supposed to chase down quarterbacks and set the tone for an improved defense as the Gators’ edge rushers did to end last season. Instead, Florida has two sacks in two games, tied for fewest in the SEC.

“You’ve got to create opportunities,” Napier said. “You’ve got to try to play well on first and second down and try to create advantageous [down and distance] on second-and-long, third-and-long.”

Napier noted Week 1 foe Long Island University played a triple option. Additionally, USF’s Brown is as mobile as any quarterback UF might face until A&M’s Marcel Reed.

A season ago, UF’s pass rush was so-so until it came alive against LSU, with 7 sacks of Garrett Nussmeier — more than the Tigers had given up all season. UF would record 19 sacks during an ensuing four-game winning streak.

“It’s a two-game sample size, so don’t panic on the edge room just yet,” Napier said.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at moc.lenitnesodnalro@nospmohtge

Up next …

UF (1-1) at No. 3 LSU (2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge

TV: ABC

Favorite: LSU by 9.5 points