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Against what seemed like insurmountable odds a couple of months ago, the Southeastern Conference and Florida Gators successfully kicked off their 2020 football schedules on Saturday, with both emerging victorious as all 14 teams saw action this weekend.
On that note, USA TODAY Sports Network writers talk about how the opening of SEC’s season was like no other. The article takes a look at all of the aspects of the strangest start ever to conference play.
In rankings news, UCF and Florida surge ahead in the latest polls while Oklahoma and LSU tumble. The first week of conference play in the SEC and Big 12 produced several upsets and a few more close calls that caused considerable shuffling in the Amway Coaches Poll.
The Sooners’ big upset gives Dan Wolken reason to think that the Big 12 is in trouble. So far, the conference isn’t merely living up to its reputation as the league most susceptible to chaos and parity; it’s signaling that the bad teams are really bad and the good teams aren’t particularly good.
In COVID-19 news, Georgia State says the positive COVID-19 test that led to the postponed game was the result of an error. The results from Thursday’s batch of tests came in Friday, before the team was scheduled to travel to Charlotte.
Finally, Paul Myerberg re-ranks the SEC based on what he saw this past weekend. One thing is certain: The picture isn’t any clearer.
Around the Swamp
- Gators rise up to No. 3 in latest Amway Coaches Poll: UF jumped No. 4 Georgia, who trailed at halftime 7-5 to Arkansas in its season opener before pulling away to a 37-10 win. It also jumped Oklahoma and LSU, who each suffered major upsets at the hands of Kansas State and Mississippi State, respectively.
- Latest AP Poll agrees with Amway Coaches Poll, puts Florida at No. 3: The Gators were ranked third in the USA TODAY Amway Coaches Poll, released earlier today, and now they’re up to third in the AP Poll, as well.
- SEC Roundup Week 1: Gators start strong, Miss St upsets LSU: Featuring a steady blend of barnburners, shootouts, and upsets, Week 1 of the conference-only slate lived up to the league’s “It Just Means More” tagline.
- Florida Gators nearly unanimous pick by ESPN for College Football Playoff: ESPN published its Week 4 College Football Playoff picks on Sunday morning after the opening act of Southeastern Conference gridiron action this fall and things are looking good for the Florida Gators in the eyes of its experts.
- Florida Gators move up two spots in ESPN’s latest FPI rankings: Week 1 of Southeastern Conference football is officially in the books after a wild opening weekend for the prestigious league which saw close games, high-scoring affairs and even an unexpected upset of last season’s national champions.
It’s great to be a Florida Gator
📈3⃣ in both polls. pic.twitter.com/AR9wW0qZfX
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 27, 2020
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