Florida is back on the rise in ESPN’s latest power rankings, climbing three spots to No. 18 after its Week 8 bye.
That puts the Gators in a tight middle stretch of the poll, sandwiched between No. 17 Northwestern and No.
19 Boise State. For Jon Sumrall and Co., the jump comes with a week off after the open date, and ESPN’s Andrea Adelson tied that pause to Florida’s ability to reset for the biggest game on the schedule.
"The Gators had an open date to prepare for rival Georgia and to get healthy. Quarterback Aaron Philo missed the Oct. 17 victory at Texas with a shoulder injury, and wide receiver Vernell Brown III has been out three weeks with a knee injury," writer Andrea Adelson notes as she looks ahead to the UF-UGA matchup.
"Additionally, wideout Bailey Stockton was hurt against the Longhorns. Being at full strength to try to beat the Bulldogs this Saturday for the first time since 2020 will be perhaps the biggest key."
Florida’s next test comes against Georgia in the annual rivalry game on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Atlanta. ABC will carry the matchup at 3:30 p.m. ET.
The SEC continues to land heavily in ESPN’s rankings, with nine league teams included. Georgia is the highest-rated conference member at No. 3, followed by Kentucky at No.
8, Alabama at No. 10, LSU at No.
12, Texas at No. 13, Ole Miss at No.
14, Florida at No. 18, Tennessee at No. 20 and Missouri at No.
In Other News...
Floridas Biggest Georgia Question Still Has Playoff Stakes
With Floridas trip to Georgia looming, Jon Sumrall still has a significant decision to make at quarterback. Freshman Tramell Jones Jr. and returning starter Philo are both available for the matchup, and Sumrall said he expects to have a starter in place by Wednesday, though he has not made anything official yet.
It is the kind of choice that reaches beyond one game, especially with playoff implications hanging over the stretch run. Both quarterbacks have posted similar completion percentages and each has been part of the offense this season, which makes the decision less about finding a clear emergency option and more about settling on the one that best fits the moment. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Still Has One Massive Question Heading Into Georgia
Florida still has its biggest offensive decision hanging over the buildup to Georgia, with Jon Sumrall declining to name a starting quarterback for the matchup with the No. 3 Bulldogs. Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. are both available, both practiced, and both remain in the mix as the Gators try to settle on the best option for one of the seasons most important games.
Sumrall said he needs both quarterbacks ready and may wait until after he reviews practice film before making the call. However the choice goes, Florida knows it will need steady play at the position and continued production from Jadan Baugh, who remains a key part of the offense heading into the showdown. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Is Hiding The One Decision Georgia Fans Care About
With Georgia week looming, the quarterback question is still the biggest storyline around Florida as the Gators get ready for one of the most watched games on their schedule. Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. are both available, and Jon Sumrall has kept the competition open after Jones stepped in to lead Florida back to a comeback win while Philo sat out with an injury.
Sumrall said he expects to settle on a starter by midweek, but he does not plan to stage a formal announcement, which only adds to the interest on the other side of this rivalry. Georgia fans will be watching closely to see whether Florida goes with the quarterback who returned from injury or sticks with the one who just steadied the offense when the Gators needed it most. [Read more 🡒]