In another of a long list of disastrous performances by the Gators under Billy Napier, Florida took a 20-10 loss in which the defense did enough to win, but DJ Lagway looked like a high school QB, throwing 5 interceptions and continually sabotaging any chance for a big road win at Death Valley.

Let’s get this out of the way first – Lagway was awful.  Don’t let the yards fool you – he looked uncomfortable most of the game, his mechanics – both footwork and arm angle – were terrible, and he telegraphed each interception while throwing repeatedly into double or triple coverage.  Lagway was channeling John Reaves at Auburn in 1969, when Reaves threw a NCAA-record 9 interceptions.  Lagway easily could have had 2-3 more, forcing the ball over and again into tight coverage.  He is simply not playing up to his salary, nor is he getting the tough and proper coaching he needs to improve.  Napier and Ryan O’Hara seem to coddle him and appear almost afraid to push him hard.  Honestly, If Napier had any guts, he should have sat Lagway down late in the 3rd quarter, bypassed true freshman Tramell Jones, and brought in an experienced QB with some P4 success – 5th year senior Harrison Bailey.

The running game was adequate, as Jaden Baugh was churning out some tough yards between the tackles.  Even more impressive is Baugh making himself some money in the future with his contribution to the passing game.  He was an outlet for Lagway all night, and also made some receptions downfield.  Still, he should have had 30+ touches.  He had only 10 carries as opposed to 49 pass attempts by Lagway.  The other reason the offense lost this game was an overrated O-line, which allowed pressure far too often and committed 6 holding penalties, one of which was essentially the turning point of the entire game.  Late in the 1st quarter, the Gators were pinned deep in their own territory and faced a 3rd down.  Lagway scrambled away from pressure – again – and found Baugh all alone downfield due to a busted coverage for an 87-yard TD and a 10-0 lead.  Or not……as a holding call negated the play.  A massive turnaround both on the scoreboard and in momentum.  Sloppy, undisciplined play, despite Napier touting how disciplined play would be a hallmark of this team.  The WR corps was ineffective less one downfield reception by Aidan Mizell and a few slant routes by Vernell Brown III.  All that offseason hype……and hardly anything to show for it……again.  We are well beyond the definition of insanity.

Incredibly, this game was still VERY winnable.  LSU’s offense did everything it could to give the game away, but Florida’s turnovers gutted any opportunity to take it.  Florida’s defense was competent if not spectacular, and played a sound game for the most part.  The D-line, bolstered by the return of Caleb Banks, essentially shut down the Tiger running game, and also were able to get occasional pressure on Garrett Nussmeier and force incompletions.  The DT rotation acquitted itself well – Jamari Lyons and Brendan Bett made plays and were stout at the point of attack.  Unfortunately, Banks left the game early in the 4th quarter after reinjuring his foot, and that didn’t shock me, as this was his first live action of 2025 and he likely came back early in a desperate team situation.  He’ll have surgery and could be out for a month up to the rest of the season.  It wouldn’t shock me if he decides to shut it down and prepare for the NFL Draft.  The LBs were flying around and tackling well, looking like the best LB group for years at Florida.  The only weakness was pass coverage in the intermediate zones between the hashmarks, as both the LBs and safeties struggled (again) to contain receivers there.  But you have to expect LSU’s talented receivers to make some plays against anyone.  Even so, the Tigers were struggling, the fans were nervous and starting to boo, and everything was set for a huge upset win……until it wasn’t.  Overall, LSU has some legit playmakers, and the Gators held up well in a tough environment.  Too bad the offense and QB didn’t do their part.  I will say that the Tigers look very much overrated right now, as their win at Clemson doesn’t look so impressive.  But that just makes Florida literally throwing this game away even worse.

So, another gut punch to the players and Gator Nation, and another nail in Napier’s coffin.  It really should be over for him already, but AD Scott Stricklin will seemingly have to be forced to fire him.  I mean, he and Napier are “culturally aligned”, which seems to mean more than winning games.  What’s alarming now is the apathy that is setting in even among the stalwart fans.  The damage to the brand is massive, making a return to championship-level football that much more difficult.  And now it’s on to Miami, against a team that looks better than LSU and can smell the blood in the water.  Another nationally-televised embarrassment likely on tap.  The long fall into irrelevance continues.