Welcome to Glass Slipper! It’s officially Cal Raleigh’s year; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

I recently unveiled the 13 college football teams that have a chance of winning the national title. It’s time we break down each of those squads. Let’s turn our attention to the program I have ranked at No. 11, the Florida Gators.

Offense

The first thing I do when evaluating a young quarterback? I listen to them talk. Local news interviews, press conferences, podcast appearances, anything. Do you treat people with respect? Has the attention inflated your ego? Do you seem enjoyable to be around? Who are you as an individual?

DJ Lagway checks every single off-field box in existence. He’s a thoughtful kid, who never seems particularly interested in talking about himself. Did I mention that he also happens to be one of the five most talented players in America? There’s a reason why the entire state of Florida has rallied around DJ; Gators folks have been longing for an ascension back to national prominence, and their knight in shining armor is right there on campus.

His supporting cast is real, by the way. The offensive line features four returning starters, including future Rimington Trophy winner Jake Slaughter. That group will clear the way for a really promising tandem of rushers; both Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson reached 500 yards and seven touchdowns while participating in a three-back timeshare a season ago.

The receiving core possesses a pretty special ceiling, even though there’s no established first option at the moment. Eugene Wilson III corrected his congenital hip issue, and should be the healthiest he’s ever been. My onetime UCLA schoolmate J. Michael Sturdivant has a little juice. The numbers in Westwood weren’t gaudy, but he was All-Pac-12 as a redshirt freshman at Cal. Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson - each top-50 overall recruits - are entering the fold, as well.

Florida was held under 21 points six times in 2024. I’m not sure it happens once this fall.

Defense

Maybe this is greedy. Can we get another leap from Caleb Banks and Tyreak Sapp? Both of these dudes are a big campaign away from entering first-round status, and I want to see them go eat. Their disruption will give the other guys in the front seven plenty of chances to make momentum-swinging plays. In other words, it’s time for former four-stars Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles to blossom.

To me, the most important man on this side of the ball is safety Jordan Castell. I was about ready to build him a statue outside of the Swamp 18 months ago, but his performance in coverage got fairly shaky last year. The Gators desperately need consistency from Jordan. Those corners are gifted, but relatively inexperienced; someone has to be ready to conceal the mistakes. No more how-did-he-get-so-open moments from this secondary. A school that wants to claim the DBU moniker cannot be finishing 84th in passing yards allowed per game. Clean it up, and we’re looking at a really solid defense in Gainesville.

Season Outlook

Pre-Bowl Record Prediction: 9-3

Selection Sunday Fan Mood: We’re in, right? Yeah, we’re definitely in. We have to be. Please. I already have the Sam Ehlinger GIF waiting in the drafts. I need that beautiful green gator to show up on the screen right now.

Pressroom

Spin It

“Gold” by Sister Sparrow. A hidden gem.