Florida has had a bye week to come down from the high left after the thrilling comeback win over South Carolina. Fourth quarter touchdown grabs from Arlis Boardingham and Ricky Pearsall helped Florida overcome a 10-point deficit with under 10 minutes go to beat the Gamecocks 41-39

In a key year for the Billy Napier era in Gainesville, the Gators sit at 5-2 heading into Week 9 against Georgia.

It will come down to the last few games of the regular season to determine if Napier can reach a second straight bowl game appearance. Things are looking much improved from year 1 to year 2, but there is a tough stretch of games coming up to close out the year.

Florida has to go face Georgia, Arkansas, LSU, Missouri, and Florida State in its last five games.

Here are Florida’s chances of reaching the postseason:

Week 9: Georgia

This game being in Florida won’t do the Gators any good against the number one team in the country. This game could be a little closer than people would think with the rivalry aspect in mind, but the Bulldogs will still be favored in Jacksonville.

Florida ranks towards the bottom of the conference in rushing and passing yards per game, while Georgia is in the top five among SEC schools in run and pass defense.

The Bulldogs’ two-game winning streak will likely move to three over Florida come Saturday, but don’t be surprised if the Gators make it a close one. The rivalry game won’t be as one sided compared to last year.

Prediction: Georgia 31, Florida 22

Week 10: Arkansas

Sam Pittman has fallen off at Arkansas. The Razorbacks are one of the only teams in the conference that don’t have an SEC win this season. Don’t expect Arkansas to break its losing streak against Florida.

Arkansas ranks 10th in the SEC in rushing yards allowed with 131.6. The Florida ground game should get back on track against the Hogs in Week 10.

The last time that Florida and Arkansas played was in 2020 with the Gators stomping the Razorbacks 63-35. Don’t expect the game to be that one sided. Florida should move to 6-3 after a bounce-back win over Pittman’s squad.

Prediction: Florida 27, Arkansas 20

Week 11: LSU

The final three games of the regular season are tricky to predict because of the competition Florida will face. The first team in that gauntlet is going to be a ranked LSU team.

The Tigers may have multiple losses, but the offense in Baton Rouge in clicking on all cylinders. Brian Kelly has the best passing offense in the SEC and second-best rushing offense behind only Tennessee. Jayden Daniels has 2,573 yards passing and 30 total touchdowns heading into Week 9 and could have even better stats before facing Florida.

The Tigers have beaten the Gators four games in a row and that should move to five in Baton Rouge on Nov. 11. Florida may lose to LSU by a few scores for its fourth loss of the season.

Prediction: LSU 42, Florida 20

Week 12: Missouri

After a tough loss in Baton Rouge Florida must go on the road again in Week 12. The Tigers will not be an easy team to beat in Columbia.

The Missouri defense has looked shaky at times. Missouri gave up 27 points to Memphis earlier in the season after some late defensive blunders in the fourth quarter. However, Brady Cook and Luther Burden have also been a tough combo to deal with.

There is hope Florida fans.

This game sounds a lot like the Tennessee matchup in Gainesville. The question was how Florida can stop the Volunteers’ offense and the Gators did just that. If the Gators can keep the Missouri offense off the field much like they did against Tennessee, Napier could steal a game from the Tigers at Faurot Field.

Florida wins a close game with an in-state rivalry up next with the hated Florida State Seminoles.

Prediction: Florida 24, Missouri 21

Week 13: Florida State

A bowl spot will already have been clinched for Florida, but the chance to spoil Florida State’s season will be hard to pass up.

Rivalry games also have an added level of competitiveness for both teams. However, Florida just doesn’t have enough firepower to upset the Seminoles in Gainesville.

Jordan Travis, Johnny Wilson, and Keon Coleman could prove too much to handle for the Florida defense. Even if the defense makes a valiant effort, the offense can’t win a shootout with Florida State. Florida may keep the game close early on, but Florida State should eventually pull away with the ACC title game on the horizon.

Billy Napier will be playing in a bowl game once again after losing talent like Anthony Richardson to the NFL Draft. Florida will finish with one more win than it did last season with a 7-5 finish to the 2023 regular season.

Florida will ultimately go 2-3 in its last five games to reach a bowl game.

Prediction: Florida State 34, Florida 17

Final 2023 record prediction: 7-5