3 ways Florida Gators can turn things around in Week 4 after disappointing losses
The Florida Gators have been among the most disappointing teams in college football through the early portion of the 2024 season. They sit at 1-2 through two games with their lone win coming against the Samford Bulldogs, who play in the FCS. Moreover, both of their losses have come in embarrassing blowout fashion at The Swamp.
The Gators lost their season opener 41-17 to the Miami Hurricanes. They kicked off their SEC play last weekend with a 33-20 loss to the Texas A&M Aggies. Things will likely not get much easier as they still have a brutal conference schedule that includes five opponents ranked in the top 16 – four of whom are ranked in the top six.
Florida will face another struggling SEC foe in Week 4 as they go on the road for the first time this season to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Here's a closer look at three ways they can turn things around and get back in the win column in Week 4.
3 ways Florida Gators can turn things around in Week 4
#1. Give Graham Mertz the majority, if not all, of the playing time
Graham Mertz has struggled this year as he has battled injury, causing him to miss a game. The sixth-year senior is also in his final year of collegiate eligibility. Meanwhile, DJ Lagway is a five-star prospect in his true freshman season. He also played well against the Samford Bulldogs when Mertz was sidelined.
That performance led Florida to split playing time between both quarterbacks against Texas A&M. The strategy did not pay off as both struggled tremendously. It is easy to see why the Gators want to give Lagway playing time, but he has shown that he still needs to develop.
In two games against FBS programs, he has completed an abysmal 47.4% of his passes for 85 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. While Mertz has not been great, he showed an ability to play in the SEC last season as he threw for 2,903 yards, 20 touchdowns and three interceptions in 10 games while completing a conference-leading 72.9% of his passes.
#2. Establish the running game
Florida and Mississippi both struggled tremendously on the defensive side of the football. Establishing the running game could allow the visitors to control the time of possession and keep their struggling defense on the sideline for as much as possible.
#3. Win the turnover battle
The Gators have not won the turnover battle in any of their three games this season. They have turned the ball over six times while forcing just two turnovers. If they are finally able to take care of the football, things should turn around in Week 4.
Who do you think will come out on top in the Week 4 clash between the Florida Gators and Mississippi State Bulldogs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.