Napier Looking to Improve His October Record at Florida

Napier Looking to Improve His October Record at Florida
Fact Checked by Michael Peters

Billy Napier and the Florida Gators have rebounded nicely since their season-opening loss at Utah on Aug. 31, but how will they fare in the month ahead? Based on the Gators upcoming schedule and Napier’s track record, odds are they will have a successful month.

As we get into the heart of the CFB season, FloridaBet.com utilized records from Sports-Reference.com to see which SEC coaches have the best record in the month of October. Only coaches with three or more years of experience were evaluated, so that includes Napier, who coached for four years at Louisiana before taking over in Gainesville last season.

Whether there will be Florida sports betting available for those October games is still a question. A federal court ruling Thursday could open the door for wagering to resume in the state soon.

Best SEC Coaches in October

School Coach October RecordWinning %
AlabamaNick Saban 82-19 .812
GeorgiaKirby Smart 17-6 .739
AuburnHugh Freeze 29-11 .725
TennesseeJosh Heupel 13-5 .722
FloridaBilly Napier 12-5 .706
Texas A&MJimbo Fisher 33-17 .660
Ole MissLane Kiffin 24-16 .600
MissouriEli Drinkwitz 9-7 .563
KentuckyMark Stoops 17-20 .460
ArkansasSam Pittman 5-7 .417

Although there is no BetMGM Florida, nationally the operator lists Georgia as the overwhelming SEC Championship favorite at -125, followed by Alabama and LSU (+375). Florida is +3500.

October Schedule Favorable for Florida

Before October begins, Florida, currently ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press poll, must travel to Kentucky to face the Wildcats on Saturday. Despite being ranked, Florida travels to Lexington as a slight underdog in the contest nationally — there are no Florida betting apps.

Florida has three games on the schedule for October. The Gators host Vanderbilt on Oct. 7 before traveling to South Carolina the following week. After an off week, the Gators travel to Jacksonville to renew their rivalry against Georgia, and the Bulldogs are the two-time defending national champions and the current top-ranked team in the country. Even with a win over Tennessee earlier this season, oddsmakers aren’t bullish on the Gators chances to win the SEC. Hard Rock Bet has Florida as its sixth choice, with odds of 30-1 to take the conference title.

Hard Rock Bet Florida is currently not operating, but Thursday’s court ruling could change that soon. FloridaBet.com will update you on the latest developments in the case and when legal sports betting is allowed again.

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Author

Steve Bittenbender

Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.

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