For the second straight week, Florida football prevailed over a top-25 opponent at home in the Swamp — a turn of events that has changed the trajectory of the 2024 campaign entirely for the Gators.
Two Saturdays ago, Billy Napier and Co. beat the LSU Tigers in an upset win that opened the door for a potential playoff berth. Last weekend, the Orange and Blue sealed the deal with a victory over the then-ninth-ranked Ole Miss Rebels.
It is great to be a Florida Gator again. Finally.
The Week 13 triumph gave the program another big boost in the rankings and computer models, including the Athletic’s college football rerank.
Florida’s re-rank after Week 13
Author Chris Vannini lifted the Gators 10 spots from No. 43 last week to No. 33 after upsetting the Rebs. That puts Florida between the No. 32 Pitt Panthers and No. 34 Baylor Bears.
Compare that with USA TODAY Sports, which re-ranked the Gators at No. 36 — up seven spots from the previous week.
As far as fellow SEC schools are concerned, the Gators are ahead of six other Southeastern Conference programs: Vanderbilt Commodores (No. 35); Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 38); Oklahoma Sooners (No. 46); Auburn Tigers (No. 57); Kentucky Wildcats (No. 66); Mississippi State Bulldogs (No. 102).
The Athletic’s Week 12 Top 10 re-rank
The top four schools in the rerank remained unchanged this week, headlined by the Oregon Ducks, followed by the Ohio State Buckeyes, Texas Longhorns and Penn State Nittany Lions, respectively. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish leaped four places to finish up the top five.
Next up are the Georgia Bulldogs, Tennessee Volunteers, SMU Mustangs, Indiana Hoosiers and Boise State Broncos to round out 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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