The Gators make the clubhouse turn and head into the final third of the regular season and it’s time to talk about where this team stands relative to the expectations we had when the season began three months ago. There is, of course, both clear progress, but also some continuing areas of concern.

At 4 -4, Florida’s record is about where most reasonable fans expected it to be at this point. The seasoning opening win against a highly ranked Utah team prematurely recalibrated the expectations of the most impatient/least realistic Gator fans on social media. For those folks, fantasies of going 10-2 or 9-3 clouded their perspective and allowed them suspend the realities and limitations surrounding this team. Seven games later, the Gators have had great quarters and brutal quarters and are still striving to play a complete game. Inconsistency is the trademark of young/developing teams and Florida certainly fits this mold.

It is important, for context, to understand that the four Gators’ losses have come against teams that have all been ranked in the top twenty. Georgia and Tennessee are currently the number 1 and number 2 ranked teams. Kentucky and LSU reached numbers 7 and 15 respectively.

The competition in the SEC is intense every week and Florida still has three remaining opponents who are or have been nationally ranked this year. Even so, these last 4 games are all winnable for the Gators if the play well. They are also all losable if they don’t play well. A realistic goal is to finish 2-2 and be bowl eligible. This week, Florida is a 3.5 underdog at TexasAM. Of these last 4 games, the Gators may only be favored at Vanderbilt.

Florida fans have plenty to feel good about. Most indications are that the culture change that will be the basis for returning the program to prominence IS occurring. We see greater player accountability. We see less unfocused play. We see less selfish actions on the field. Clearly, there is some distance to still be covered and the talent gap (compared to top ten teams) remains, but measurable progress is being made.

Gator fans should be excited about this roster and the trends moving forward. Florida is only playing a handful of seniors. The entire two deep offense could return. Defensively, only Ventrell Miller, Amari Burney, and Trey Dean are seniors. This coaching staff is playing young guys for important minutes in critical situations. Etienne, Wilson, James, and McClellen are playing as true freshmen. Eight others are playing (on the two deep) as red shirt freshmen. Additionally, the 2023 committed recruiting class is already ranked in the top ten in the nation with several other highly regarded recruits still possible. Florida must finish strong to address the current depth and talent gap issues.

Of the other areas where there are concerns, inconsistent quarterback play is the biggest. There is no question about Anthony Richardson’s great attitude and his athleticism. His inability to manage games in the critical moments, however, is concerning. Hopefully, more experience will help. He simply can’t continue to do things that enable opponents. He has to learn things like staying in bounds when trying to run out the clock. He should know that throwing passes out of bounds on fourth downs, when trailing late in games isn’t useful. He can’t throw interceptions (especially on first and second down plays) and expect to win.

Richardson is at his best when he becomes an aggressive ball carrier. Somehow, perhaps injuries or perhaps a commitment to becoming more of a NFL type Quarterback, AR goes spells where he appears reluctant to carry the ball. He rarely keeps the ball on the read option until the offense is in desperation mode. He is this offense’s most dangerous playmaker and, assuming he is physically capable, he needs to embrace this role. Once he does, other things will come more easily.

This Florida team has shown a spirit to battle through adversity and stick together. That characteristic is encouraging. Special teams play and third down defense were improved in the Georgia game. Virtually everyone, including the coaching staff, seems willing to be accountable. This internal locus of control is also a key to sustained progress. There is no feel being displayed from the program of panic.

This week’s game in College Station will help define whether Florida is getting the corner turned and is ready to play a more consistent brand of winning football. Florida has the opportunity to make a statement with an away SEC game win as an underdog.