Florida plummets in ESPN’s latest FPI ranking after Kentucky loss

The Florida Gators fall outside the top 25 in ESPN’s FPI rankings after Week 2.

After Saturday’s loss to SEC East division rival Kentucky Wildcats, Florida football has dropped 13 spots in ESPN’s latest FPI rankings. They come in at No. 37 nationally and as the No. 10 team in the SEC.

ESPN’s FPI rankings were developed in 2013 as a way to measure the overall strength of each team and to predict results as the season goes on. As the season goes on, the data used to determine a team’s FPI will come from the games played. At the beginning of the season, the previous season’s data is used to determine the rankings. Now that we have data for the 2022 season, the FPI will pull from that instead of last season.

The fall outside the ESPN FPI Top 25 was expected after the lackluster offensive performance against Kentucky. Because the FPI rankings are rooted in data, the stagnant offensive performance seems to have played a role in the rankings drop. The silver lining is that the tough schedule the Gators have gives them plenty of opportunities to improve their standing.

The next chance for the Orange and Blue to improve upon their rankings comes Saturday against in-state opponents USF. The Bulls are one of the worst teams in the nation, per FPI, giving the Gators a chance to work out their troubles before heading to Knoxville in two weeks’ time.

Kick-off for the Florida-USF game will be at 7:30 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network and played at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.

[mm-video type=video id=01g8v1f70be6kez83tmc playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g8v1f70be6kez83tmc/01g8v1f70be6kez83tmc-4ea15a2ee8b72cdb3d5b8e8bd6f23814.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=91866,91835,91748,91751,91735]

[listicle id=91678]

[listicle id=91619]

[listicle id=91707]

[listicle id=91716]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!