Greg McElroy has an optimistic view of Billy Napier’s Florida program entering what many believe will be a challenging 2024 season.

McElroy on his “Always College Football” podcast noted that Florida’s win total in Las Vegas has been set at 5.5, and he acknowledged that the consensus is that the Gators will fall below that mark. Most people, understandably, don’t have a lot of faith in Gators, he said, partly because of the schedule. But also because of how Napier’s program “leaked oil down the stretch” in recruiting.

He recalled how many people didn’t expect Florida to beat Tennessee in 2023.

Having said all that, McElroy said he’s never seen Florida have such low expectations, and that’s why he reached this conclusion.

“Florida is going to weather the storm,” McElroy said. “… This is still Florida. They return their quarterback in Graham Mertz. Graham Mertz had a solid year last year, by the way.”

LJ McCray is also a newcomer on the defensive line.

McElroy admitted that the schedule is arguably the toughest in the country, but he expects the Gators to pull some upsets.