Florida football is no stranger to tough schedules, but in 2025, the Gators are right in the middle of the national College Football Playoff conversation.
USA TODAY Sports highlighted Billy Napier’s team multiple times in its list of 25 games that will shape the CFP race, putting DJ Lagway and the Florida Gators squarely under the spotlight.
The story points to Florida’s brutal schedule, one that is already regarded as the toughest in the country. From early-season road trips to LSU and Miami, to a home showdown against Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns and the clash with Georgia, the Gators find themselves in the middle of nearly every major CFP conversation.
USA TODAY Sports’ Matt Hayes highlighted Florida’s Sept. 13 matchup at LSU as Lagway’s first true test in one of college football’s most intimidating environments. Just a week later, the Gators head down south to Miami for a matchup with huge CFP implications.
If the Hurricanes knock off Notre Dame in Week 1, beating Florida could lock Miami into playoff contention. But if the Gators steal the game on the road, the state of Florida might belong to the Orange and Blue.
It doesn’t stop there. On Oct. 4, Texas heads to the Swamp in what would be a defining moment for Florida’s season. And then, of course, comes Georgia.
The Nov. 1 showdown in Jacksonville has rarely gone the Gators’ way in recent years, but with Lagway at quarterback, this might be Florida’s best chance in half a decade to knock off Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs.
In his projected playoff field, Hayes left Florida out. But the Gators’ repeated presence in the list of games that “will shape the playoff” shows just how important this team is to the national narrative.
Here is everything Hayes said about Florida’s matchup this season that will be pivotal for the CFP picture in 2025.
How USA TODAY Sports views Florida’s pivotal CFP matchups
(Sept. 13) Florida at LSU:
“The first real test for Florida QB DJ Lagway, who has been protected all offseason with any number of injuries (shoulder, core, calf). How does he handle Death Valley — and a potentially desperate LSU team?”
(Sept. 20) Florida at Miami:
“If the Hurricanes beat Notre Dame, beating Florida could all but lock up a CFP spot. Because the ACC schedule is about as difficult as finding the beautiful people on South Beach.”
(Oct. 4) Texas at Florida:
“Gators coach Billy Napier has been saying ‘spot the ball’ all offseason in reference to a difficult schedule. After a stretch of games at LSU, at Miami, Texas and at Texas A&M, we’re going to see if this team is legit — or Napier was whistling through the coaching graveyard.”
(Nov. 1) Georgia vs. Florida:
“The last time Florida beat Georgia in 2020, the Gators did things to a Kirby Smart defense few have. The talent level is there again in Gainesville, and if Lagway stays healthy, this could be Georgia’s first loss of the season.”
USA TODAY Sports’ CFP prediction
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: USA TODAY Sports lists Florida football’s biggest games in 2025 CFP race
Reporting by Aidan Gallardo, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
