Billy Napier justified the Florida football program’s recent vote of confidence in its head coach with a signature win over the Ole Miss Rebels in the Swamp on Saturday, 24-17.
Along with a victory over the LSU Tigers last weekend, the Gators scored a one-two punch over a pair of top-25 teams to seal a bowl game appearance next month. Suffice it to say, things are trending in the right direction at the right time for the Orange and Blue.
The national sports media has taken notice of Florida’s late-season surge and has rewarded Napier and Co. for their efforts. Among them is USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg, who elevated the Gators this week in his college football re-rank.
Florida’s re-rank after Week 13
Myerberg lifted the Gators seven spots after the Week 13 dust settled, moving up from No. 43 to No. 36. That puts Florida between the No. 35 Minnesota Golden Gophers and No. 37 Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Napier’s crew is ahead of six other Southeastern Conference schools in the rankings: Vanderbilt Commodores (No. 39); Oklahoma Sooners (No. 41); Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 45); Auburn Tigers (No. 77); Kentucky Wildcats (No. 86); Mississippi State Bulldogs (No. 108).
USA TODAY Sports Week 13 re-rank top 10
The Oregon Ducks once again remained in the top perch this week while the Ohio State Buckeyes held onto the second spot this week. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish hopped up three places while the Texas Longhorns and Penn State Nittany Lions both fell a spot to Nos. 4 and 5, respectively.
The Georgia Bulldogs, Miami Hurricanes and SMU Mustangs all rose three places to sixth, seventh and eighth place, respectively, with the Indiana Hoosiers falling four spots to No. 9 before the Tennessee Volunteers — who gained two spots — wrap up the top 10.
Up next for the Gators
The Gators wrap up the 2024 regular season schedule in Tallahassee for their annual rivalry game against the Florida State Seminoles. The game will take place inside Doak Campbell Stadium and will kick off at either 7 or 7:30 p.m. ET; broadcast details have yet to be determined.
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