Gators see massive drop in USA TODAY re-rank after LSU loss

The Gators tumbled 14 spots in the latest USA TODAY rankings.

After a two-point loss to Alabama in September, this looked like it could be the Florida team that finally breaks through and competes for a spot in the College Football Playoff. But after losses against Kentucky and LSU in two of the last three games, those hopes are long gone.

The Gators may not even finish in the top three of the division, and with the next game being against No. 1 Georgia, Florida is likely to fall to .500 on the season after that.

While analytics metrics still like this team, USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerburg does not. On his rankings of the FBS teams from 1-130, the Gators fell 14 spots to just No. 35.

UF now ranks behind teams like Boston College, Pittsburgh and Arizona State, and it’s hard to believe that the same team that was once a two-point conversion away from forcing overtime against Alabama is now not even among the top 30.

It’s been a rough season in Gainesville, and it could get even rougher in Jacksonville after the bye. But coach Dan Mullen and Co. will look to salvage whatever they can from what is otherwise a lost season.

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