Kirk Herbstreit got a first-hand look at the Florida Gators in their 24-20 win over Miami during Week 0. He called the game with Chris Fowler and Maria Taylor.

It was ugly and sloppy, but Florida — thanks to 10 sacks — escaped with the win.

All eyes were on Feleipe Franks entering the season. Franks finished 2018 with a strong campaign and blowout wins over FSU and Michigan. He really played well down the stretch giving everyone hope that he’d pick up right where he left off.

However, Franks was up and down against the Hurricanes. He finished 17-of-27 for 254 yards, two passing touchdowns and two interceptions. He also added another rushing touchdown.

Franks’ antics frustrated some fans, including Florida fans. On his most recent podcast with David Pollack and Kevin Negandhi, Herbstreit offered some advice to Franks.

“The most disappointing thing for me was all we talked about was how much Feleipe Franks was going to flourish in his second year, right, in Dan Mullen’s system,” Herbstreit said. “And, the way he ended ’18 with his four best games at the end of the year, and here he comes in after an entire offseason, he’s really going to really pick up where he left off. He had some decent moments, but man, he kind of looked like the same ole Feleipe Franks where it was inconsistent, erratic, emotional, and I think that’s what they had hoped he would kind of work to eliminate in the offseason.

“Again, it’s one game. I’m not saying that’s who he is in 2019, but if I were a Florida fan, especially Dan Mullen and the staff, I would love to see him go back and watch that film, and I’d film how he even acted on the sidelines at times, and say, ‘Where can we get better? You had some moments that were good, but Feleipe where can you get better as a quarterback and a leader of this team?’ Kind of use those emotions that he plays with and kind of control those and still play with that same fire, but I don’t think he needs to be as demonstrative and up and down with his emotions as he was last Saturday.”

The good news for Florida is that Franks certainly improved throughout the course of last season. He also made a couple big throws in the win over Miami, too. There’s lots of room to grow and improve.

The Gators are going to need an improved Franks if they want to contend for the SEC East.