ESPN College Gameday/SEC Nation picks Ole Miss over Florida

The ESPN College Gameday and SEC Nation crews are unanimous picks Miss Ole to defeat Florida on Saturday.

“I love the job Billy Napier has done at Florida. I think he’s done a great job of keeping this team focused through some really difficult circumstances, I just think Ole Miss has given them too much firepower,” Nick Saban said. “But I think it will be a close game.”

Napier joined the Gameday team in the 9 o’clock block. He spoke about DJ Lagway’s positive influence on the younger players and their mentality. Napier also addressed what he believes is the biggest key to the game.

“You have to survive the script,” Napier said. “It’s important that you’re ready to start quickly. You’ve got to get the call in, get our cleats in the ground. We’ve got to be communicated, adjusted, play with the right leverage, have good eye discipline. If you can get through the script and settle in, adapt to the pace, I think that’s important.’

Pat McAfee challenged Billy Napier to a 35-yard throw where he would donate $1 million to hurricane relief if Napier hit the crossbar. Coach Napier put a good spiral on it but just missed the crossbar. Kirk Herbstreit tried to get a second try but McAfee quickly waved it off after seeing how close Napier was.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin later texted Herbstreit, joking about Napier saying he would have hit the crossbar.

SEC Nation picks Florida-Ole Miss

All four voters at SEC Nation — former Alabama safety Roman Harper, former Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers, Florida legend Tim Tebow and SEC insider Paul Finebaum — picked Ole Miss, but agreed that Florida is playing its best football of the season and could keep it up close to.

“I think Florida is on the mend,” Tebow said. “I think it’s so helpful to play at home. I think DJ is on the verge of being a star. I just think it’s the right time for Ole Miss. I think they’re peaking. I think they have their best player back ( Tre Harris), their front four has dominated the last few weeks healthy, I think it will be close, but the Rebels will be good enough.

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: ESPN College Gameday/SEC Nation picks Ole Miss over Florida