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College Football Expert Says Florida is Most Important Program in 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 12:05 AM ET

The Florida Gators have a tough road ahead of them in the 2025 season. With one of if not the toughest schedules in college football, UF will have a big impact on the outlook of the College Football Playoff come December.

Florida will face four teams who finished in the top 11 of the AP Poll at the end of last season and five of the top 25 this fall.

Because of this gauntlet of a schedule, On3's J.D. PicKell tabbed the Gators as "the most important team in college football in 2025."

PicKell said that because Florida plays several teams with CFP aspirations early in the season, UF could become a "course-setter" for the college football landscape."

After matchups against Long Island University and USF to begin the year, the Gators will play two straight road games against LSU and Miami before coming back to Gainesville to host the Texas Longhorns.

This three-week stretch will say a lot about both Florida's chances of making the 12-team playoff and its opponents' chances as well.

"If Florida ends up being a version of what they were in November from last year," PicKell said. "Florida could be not just a party crasher... might mess around, knock on the back door trying to get in the College Football Playoff [themselves]."

The Gators finished the 2024 season winners of four straight with victories over LSU, Ole Miss, Florida State and a Gasparilla Bowl win against Tulane.

There is no doubt it will be tough sledding for Florida in 2025, but, as PicKell said, there is a chance the Gators could play spoiler or make a run themselves.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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