Florida’s latest stumble should send the Gators out of the AP Top 25, and it would be hard to argue otherwise after a 27-8 loss to Georgia that was even less competitive than the final score suggests.
This is the kind of defeat voters tend to punish, and Florida has already felt that sting twice this season. A third blowout loss ought to bring the same result. Meanwhile, Georgia keeps inching closer to the top of the rankings picture.
Projected AP Top 25 for Week 10:
- Miami Hurricanes, 38-35 win over North Carolina
- Georgia Bulldogs, 27-8 win over Florida
- Indiana Hoosiers, 23-16 win over Minnesota
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 35-13 win over Navy
- Utah Utes, 49-25 win over Cincinnati
- UCLA Bruins, 27-0 win over Nevada
- BYU Cougars, 27-20 win over Arizona State
- Kentucky Wildcats did not play
- Ohio State Buckeyes lost 30-18 to USC
- Alabama Crimson Tide did not play
- Texas Longhorns, 31-3 win over Mississippi State
- Ole Miss Rebels, 45-15 win over Auburn
- Texas Tech Red Raiders, 34-26 win over Arixona
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 51-7 win over Virginia
- LSU Tigers did not play
- Tennessee Volunteers did not play
- Florida Gators lost 27-8 to Georgia
- Houston Cougars did not play
- Boise State Broncos, 46-45 win over Texas State
- Iowa Hawkeyes, 30-0 win over Wisconsin
- USC Trojans, 30-18 win over Ohio State
- Missouri Tigers, 34-10 win over Arkansas
- Duke Blue Devils, 47-2 win over Boston College
- South Carolina Gamecocks, 42-25 win over Oklahoma
- Arizona Wildcats lost 34-26 to Texas Tech
- New Mexico Lobos, 21-16 win over San Jose State
Still, the AP poll may turn out to be the least important ranking release of the week. The real attention shifts to Tuesday, when the first College Football Playoff rankings come out.
Florida not making this AP Top 25 wouldn’t be a shock, but the Gators could still sneak into the CFP’s first set of rankings at No. 25.
Those opening rankings always bring a little chaos, and they have a habit of leaning toward the SEC. That could even mean Georgia climbs to No. 1 over Miami.
It’s a possibility that would hardly raise eyebrows.
If the playoff committee mirrors this projection, the SEC would place five teams in the initial top 12. That feels like a solid bet, though Ole Miss is the one team that may not hold its spot. Texas Tech and Wake Forest could jump the Rebels when the committee unveils its first rankings.
Perception matters, and there’s a sense the committee may not want the optics of an SEC-heavy reveal on the network that is contractually obligated to love on the conference.
One thing feels clearer than most in this wild season: South Carolina should come out as the highest-ranked three-loss team in the country. Beyond that, just about everything is still up for grabs.
In Other News...
Florida Suddenly Has A Bigger Vernell Brown Problem Than Expected
Floridas offense took a hit before kickoff against Georgia when Vernell Brown III was ruled out after aggravating a knee injury in practice. Head coach Jon Sumrall had initially listed Brown as probable, but swelling in the knee changed the picture and kept him out of the game, leaving the Gators without one of their more important receiving options at a time when they needed every available weapon.
Browns absence was felt quickly as Florida struggled to get much going on offense. For a team already trying to find consistency, losing a receiver who had been trending toward playing only to have the injury flare up again only added to the frustration, and it now leaves the Gators waiting to see how quickly he can get back to full strength. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Blew Another Georgia Shot Before The Game Even Started
The quarterback decision was the first big storyline of Floridas matchup with Georgia, and it did not take long for it to become a problem. Jon Sumrall went with Aaron Philo to start the game, even though there were questions about whether he was ready for that stage, and the move quickly put the Gators in a hole as the offense struggled to find any rhythm.
After Philo threw his second interception, Sumrall turned to Tramell Jones in search of a spark, but by then Florida was already fighting uphill. Turnovers helped drive the 31-8 loss, and the early switch only underscored how much the Gators had left on the table before the game even settled in. [Read more 🡒]
Floridas No. 1 Start Gets An Immediate Test From Miami
Florida opens the season with the kind of spotlight game that can shape a November resume before the calendar even gets moving. The Gators, ranked No. 1 in the preseason, head to Tampa to face No. 14 Miami in a matchup that comes with plenty of early-season weight, especially for a Florida team bringing back most of its scoring from last years SEC championship squad.
Miami has its own agenda after rebuilding the roster and landing in a top-15 spot of its own. The teams already know each other well after meeting twice last season, with Florida winning both, but this one offers a fresh test for both sides and an immediate chance to see whether the Gators lofty ranking holds up under real pressure. [Read more 🡒]