Tag: rankings

Oklahoma’s next opponent moves into top 10 of US LBM Coaches Poll

The Oklahoma Sooners have a tough couple of games to finish the season. Where do their opponents rank in latest US LBM Coaches Poll?

The Oklahoma Sooners have a bye week to lick their wounds from a disappointing finish in their loss to the Missouri Tigers. But that’s the only reprieve they’ll get over the final three weeks of the regular season.

Coming after the bye, the Sooners will host a red-hot Alabama Crimson Tide team that has absolutely dominated their last two opponents. In their last two games, Alabama beat Missouri and LSU, a pair of top 25 opponents, with a combined score of 76-13.

That’s not an encouraging sign for an offense that’s struggled in SEC play and a defense that’s struggled in the second half of their last two games against Ole Miss and Mizzou.

After the Tide blew out LSU, Alabama moved up to No. 9 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll. They’re back in the hunt for a College Football Playoff berth.

LSU, who suffered their third loss of the season, and Oklahoma’s opponent in the regular season finale fell to No. 22 in the nation.

After a record-setting day for former Sooner quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the Oregon Ducks are now the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation, earning every first-place vote from the coaches. That’s adding insult to injury as Dillon Gabriel and a coach rumored to be connected to the team after the departure of Lincoln Riley, Dan Lanning, look like the best team in the country after 11 weeks.

Ohio State moved back into the No. 2 spot this week. Their only loss on the season came by one point to the Ducks in Eugene. The Texas Longhorns are at No. 3 after their rout of Florida, followed by Tennessee at No. 4, and Penn State at No. 5.

In addition to Oregon, there are three other undefeated teams in the poll. Indiana moved up to No. 6, BYU to No. 8, and Army’s incredible season continues as they moved up to No. 17 in the nation.

More: SEC Power Rankings updated after week 11

Complete US LBM Coaches Poll after week 11

Rank Team Record Points
1 Oregon Ducks 10-0 1,375 (55)
2 Ohio State Buckeyes 8-1 1,314
3 Texas Longhorns 8-1 1,262
4 Tennessee Volunteers 8-1 1,138
5 Penn State Nittany Lions 8-1 1,113
6 Indiana Hoosiers 10-0 1,057
7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 8-1 1,038
8 BYU Cougars 9-0 994
9 Alabama Crimson Tide 7-2 899
10 Georgia Bulldogs 7-2 887
11 Ole Miss Rebels 8-2 877
12 Miami Hurricanes 9-1 820
13 SMU Mustangs 8-1 691
13 Boise State Broncos 8-1 691
15 Texas A&M Aggies 7-2 597
16 Clemson Tigers 7-2 536
17 Army Black Knights 9-0 466
18 Washington State Cougars 8-1 385
19 Kansas State Wildcats 7-2 332
20 Colorado Buffaloes 7-2 329
21 Missouri Tigers 7-2 277
22 LSU Tigers 6-3 257
23 South Carolina Gamecocks 6-3 118
24 Louisville Cardinals 6-3 109
25 Iowa State Cyclones 7-2 92

Schools Dropped Out

No. 23 Pittsburgh; No. 25 Vanderbilt;

Others Receiving Votes

Tulane 85; Louisiana 42; Arizona State 30; Pittsburgh 28; UNLV 17; Memphis 11; Navy 3; James Madison 2; Illinois 2; Duke 1;

List Of Voters

The US LBM Board of Coaches for the 2024 season: Tim Albin, Ohio; Major Applewhite, South Alabama; Tim Beck, Coastal Carolina; Mike Bloomgren, Rice; David Braun, Northwestern; Jeff Brohm, Louisville; Fran Brown, Syracuse; Neal Brown, West Virginia; Troy Calhoun, Air Force; Jamey Chadwell, Liberty; Bob Chesney, James Madison; Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan; Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech; Spencer Danielson, Boise State; Ryan Day, Ohio State; Kalen DeBoer, Alabama; Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State; Eliah Drinkwitz, Missouri; Mike Elko, Texas A&M; Tony Elliott, Virginia; Jedd Fisch, Washington; James Franklin, Penn State; Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame; Willie Fritz, Houston; Alex Golesh, South Florida; Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky; Mike Houston, East Carolina; Butch Jones, Arkansas State; Brent Key, Georgia Tech; GJ Kinne, Texas State; Chris Klieman, Kansas State; Dan Lanning, Oregon; Rhett Lashlee, SMU; Clark Lea, Vanderbilt; Lance Leipold, Kansas; Pete Lembo, Buffalo; Sean Lewis, San Diego State; Mike Locksley, Maryland; Mike MacIntyre, Florida International; Gus Malzahn, Central Florida; Chuck Martin, Miami (Ohio); Derek Mason, Middle Tennessee; Joey McGuire, Texas Tech; Bronco Mendenhall, New Mexico; Jeff Monken, Army; Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh; Ken Niumatalolo, San Jose State; Barry Odom, UNLV; Gerad Parker, Troy; Brent Pry, Virginia Tech; Kirby Smart, Georgia; Mark Stoops, Kentucky; Jon Sumrall, Tulane; Lance Taylor, Western Michigan; Jeff Traylor, Texas-San Antonio.

Here’s how US LBM Coaches Poll shakes out after Week 11

The SEC caused quite a stir in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll.

Week 11 of the 2024 college football season is officially in the books and the US LBM Coaches Poll following yet another exciting weekend of the nation’s favorite fall sport is out. Once again, the rankings saw a shakeup as the end of the regular-season schedule draws near.

The Oregon Ducks remain perched atop the poll, but this week have earned all 55 first-place votes. The Ohio State Buckeyes inched up a spot to No. 2 followed by the Texas Longhorns — who beat the Florida Gators last weekend — moved up two spots to No. 3.

The Tennessee Volunteers and Penn State Nittany Lions moved up two spots to claim the fourth and fifth positions, respectively, in the rankings.

SEC schools in Coaches Poll top 25

Besides Texas and Tennessee, the Southeastern Conference is represented by the Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 9), Georgia Bulldogs (No. 10), Ole Miss Rebels (No. 11), Texas A&M Aggies (No. 15), Missouri Tigers (No. 21), LSU Tigers (No. 22) and South Carolina Gamecocks (No. 23) in the top 25.

No other SEC school received votes. The Vanderbilt Commodores fell out of the top 25 from last week’s rankings.

Here are the rankings and votes for the Coaches Poll after Week 11.

US LBM Coaches Poll Week 11

Rank Team Record Points
1 Oregon Ducks 10-0 1,375 (55)
2 Ohio State Buckeyes 8-1 1,314
3 Texas Longhorns 8-1 1,262
4 Tennessee Volunteers 8-1 1,138
5 Penn State Nittany Lions 8-1 1,113
6 Indiana Hoosiers 10-0 1,057
7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 8-1 1,038
8 BYU Cougars 9-0 994
9 Alabama Crimson Tide 7-2 899
10 Georgia Bulldogs 7-2 887
11 Ole Miss Rebels 8-2 877
12 Miami Hurricanes 9-1 820
13 SMU Mustangs 8-1 691
13 Boise State Broncos 8-1 691
15 Texas A&M Aggies 7-2 597
16 Clemson Tigers 7-2 536
17 Army Black Knights 9-0 466
18 Washington State Cougars 8-1 385
19 Kansas State Wildcats 7-2 332
20 Colorado Buffaloes 7-2 329
21 Missouri Tigers 7-2 277
22 LSU Tigers 6-3 257
23 South Carolina Gamecocks 6-3 118
24 Louisville Cardinals 6-3 109
25 Iowa State Cyclones 7-2 92

Schools Dropped Out

No. 23 Pittsburgh; No. 25 Vanderbilt

Others Receiving Votes

Tulane 85; Louisiana 42; Arizona State 30; Pittsburgh 28; UNLV 17; Memphis 11; Navy 3; James Madison 2; Illinois 2; Duke 1

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Wisconsin upcoming opponent ranked No. 1 in first College Football Playoff rankings release

Wisconsin upcoming opponent ranked No. 1 in first College Football Playoff rankings release

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) are currently in line to host the No. 1 team in the country in Week 12 on Nov. 16.

That team is the Oregon Ducks (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten). Not only did they remain No. 1 in the AP Poll for the third consecutive week after a decisive win over Michigan, but the team was also the No. 1 seed in the season’s first College Football Playoff rankings release.

Related: Every Big Ten team’s bowl projection following Week 10

Those rankings now reflect the updated 12-team model, with auto-bids for the five highest-ranked conference champions and seven more at-large selections. In that expanded format, seeds 1-4 get first-round byes, while the rest of the field plays first-round games at the campus of the higher-ranked team.

Here is a full look at the first projected bracket, led by Wisconsin’s upcoming opponent:

Oregon is one of four Big Ten teams in the top 12 of the first rankings, joining Ohio State (No. 5 seed), Penn State (No. 7 seed) and Indiana (No. 8 seed).

The Ducks host a struggling Maryland team in Week 11 before traveling to Wisconsin for the Week 12 matchup. The team isn’t expected to have any trouble improving to 10-0 and maintaining its No. 1 ranking — it’s playing the best football of any team in the sport currently, with three recent wins by a combined margin of 85 points.

Wisconsin is idle in Week 11 before hosting the No. 1-ranked Ducks. All likely signs point to a 10-0, No. 1-ranked Oregon team facing the 5-4 Badgers.

Wisconsin has had several AP top-five home matchups in 2024. Week 12 vs. Oregon projects to be the biggest of them all, and should give Wisconsin its first chance at a win over the No. 1 team since it defeated then-No. 1 Ohio State in 2010.

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CFP rankings release show: Where to watch, live stream for Texas A&M football

Where will Texas A&M rank in the first official College Football Playoff reveal?

Texas A&M’s (7-2, 5-1 SEC) 2024 season hit a bump in the road amid the Aggies improbable seven-game winning streak, running into the buzzsaw inside a backs Williams-Brice Stadium, as South Carolina dismantled the Aggies 44-20 behind a 24-0 second half run by the Gamecocks.

Despite the loss, the Aggies are still tied for first in the SEC standings, with the Georiga Bulldogs at 5-1 heading into the second bye week of the season. While A&M’s chances to make the 12-team College Football Playoff remain intact, Tuesday’s first official rankings reveal will paint a clearer picture.

However, Monday’s news that star running back Le’Veon Moss will miss the rest of the season placed a hole in A&M’s offense as the junior leads the Aggies with 765 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns through nine games.

With Moss shelved, junior back Amari Daniels steps in as the lead back, while senior EJ Smith will now have an even more significant role in the backfield.

How to watch College Football Playoff rankings show

TV Channel: ESPN

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch CFP rankings reveal live on Fubo (free trial)” link=”https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191261?irad=399332&irmp=1205322&subId1=SMG&subId2=NCAAF&subId3=2024″]

College Football Playoff rankings release date:

Date: Tuesday, November 5th

What time is CFP rankings release?

Start Time: 7 p.m. ET.

Texas A&M CFP rankings projection

Texas A&M moved down to No. 15 in the newest AP Top 25 rankings after losing to South Carolina, so expect the Aggies to be on the outside looking in. If A&M wins out, including a win over the Texas Longhorns, head coach Mike Elko and his team are almost guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, on paper, at least.

How many teams are in the College Football Playoff 2024?

For the first time, 12 teams will participate in the College Football Playoffs. Five automatic bids will go to each of the Power Four conference champions and one to the highest-ranked Group of Five champions. The remaining seven slots will go to the seven at-large teams.

How does the College Football Playoff format work?

The top four seeds will be on a bye as the CFP kicks off. The next four highest-seeded teams will host on-campus playoff games as follows:

  • No. 5 vs No. 12, winner will play No. 4
  • No. 6 vs No. 11, winner will play No. 3
  • No. 7 vs No. 10, winner will play No. 2
  • No. 8 vs No. 9, winner will play No. 1

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Gators slip out of SP+ rankings top 25 after UGA loss, but just barely

The Gators come in at No. 26 in ESPN’s SP+ rankings while the special teams somehow leapt up the standings.

Week 10 of the college football schedule was not kind to the Florida Gators. In fact, the sports gods were downright cruel to the Orange and Blue over the course of the 34-20 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in Jacksonville.

After [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s squad came out strong both on offense and defense, the absolute worst-case scenario occurred — true freshman quarterback [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag], who is replacing incumbent starter [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag], went down with an injury that ended the game and possibly the season for the former five-star recruit.

Third-string walk-on QB [autotag]Aidan Warner[/autotag] did his best to pace the Gators on offense while the defense continued its dominant afternoon, but alas, it was not enough to outlast the deep UGA talent pool.

The good news is that the media appears to have judged Florida on a sliding scale based on their performance rather than just the cold, hard results. This includes ESPN’s SP+ ranking, which employs a computer model to determine its standings each week.

Florida football’s SP+ ranking, rating

Last update, Napier and Co. were ranked No. 21 out of 134 Football Bowl Subdivision schools with a 13.0 overall rating following its Week 9 bye. Following Saturday’s results, Florida slipped five spots to No. 26 with an 11.5 overall rating.

On offense, the team inched up a spot from No. 21 and a 35.3 rating to No. 20 and a 34.4 rating; the defense remained at No. 41 while its rating increased from 22.7 to 23.2.

The special teams unit, which spent a few weeks as the top-rated corps in the country at the start of the schedule, somehow jumped back up from No. 11 to No. 4 with a 0.4 rating — the same it has had all season — despite a major field goal attempt mishap.

SP+ rankings top 10 teams

The Ohio State Buckeyes claimed the top spot in the rankings this week, edging out the Texas Longhorns, who held the pole position last week, by just 0.3 points (29.0 vs. 28.7); Georgia, the Ole Miss Rebels and Oregon Ducks round out the top five, respectively. 

The Alabama Crimson Tide come in at No. 6, followed by the Miami Hurricanes, Penn State Nittany Lions, Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Tennessee Volunteers, respectively, to round out the top 10 schools.

About SP+ predictions

“SP+ is intended to be predictive and forward-facing,” according to ESPN. “It is not a résumé ranking that gives credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling — no good predictive system is.

“It is simply a measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football. If you’re lucky or unimpressive in a win, your rating will probably fall. If you’re strong and unlucky in a loss, it will probably rise.”

What’s next for the Gators?

Florida hits the road to face Texas in Austin on Saturday, Nov. 9. Kickoff is set for noon ET and will be broadcast on ABC.

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What the AP Poll looks like after college football’s Week 9

The Southeastern Conference is represented by seven schools un this week’s college football AP Poll.

Florida football sat out during college football’s Week 9 schedule, taking its second bye of the fall ahead of one of the most grueling stretches of games imaginable. Meanwhile, the show — as always — went on with most of the nation active on the gridiron last weekend.

This week’s edition of the Associated Press Poll saw no changes among the top four teams, with the Oregon Ducks remaining perched atop the nation with 1,549 points and 61 of the 62 first-place votes. Next up are the second-ranked Georgia Bulldogs, followed by the Penn State Nittany Lions and Ohio State Buckeyes, respectively, while the Miami Hurricanes snuck into the top 5.

SEC teams in AP Poll Top 25

The Texas Longhorns, who were bumped by Miami down to No. 6, are next up after the ‘Dawgs, with the Texas A&M Aggies joining them among the top 10 at No. 10. The Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 14), LSU Tigers (No. 16), Ole Miss Rebels (No. 19) and Missouri Tigers (No. 25) wrap up the top 25, giving the SEC seven schools in the upper echelon. 

The Vanderbilt Commodores fell out of the top 25 but remain at a de facto No. 26 ranking with 41 votes. The Arkansas Razorbacks also earned four votes while the South Carolina Gamecocks reeled in one.

AP Poll Top 25 full rankings

1. Oregon | 8-0 | Big Ten

2. Georgia | 6-1 | SEC

3. Penn State | 7-0 | Big Ten

4. Ohio State | 6-1 | Big Ten

5. Miami | 8-0 | ACC

6. Texas | 7-1 | SEC

7. Tennessee | 6-1 | SEC

8. Notre Dame | 7-1 | FBS Independent

9. BYU | 8-0 | Big 12

10. Texas A&M | 7-1 | SEC

11. Clemson | 6-1 | ACC

11. Iowa State | 7-0 | Big 12

13. Indiana | 8-0 | Big Ten

14. Alabama | 6-2 | SEC

15. Boise State | 6-1 | Mountain West

16. LSU | 6-2 | SEC

17. Kansas State | 7-1 | Big 12

18. Pitt | 7-0 | ACC

19. Ole Miss | 6-2 | SEC

20. SMU | 7-1 | ACC

21. Army West Point | 7-0 | AAC

22. Washington State | 7-1 | Pac-12

23. Colorado | 6-2 | Big 12

24. Illinois | 6-2 | Big Ten

25. Missouri | 6-1 | SEC

Others receiving votes

Vanderbilt 41, Memphis 34, Tulane 28, Navy 23, Louisville 5, Arkansas 4, UNLV 4, Louisiana-Lafayette 3, South Carolina 1

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Gators slip, still among top 25 in ESPN’s SP+ rankings after Week 9 bye

Florida lost a little ground in SP+ rankings after taking the week off but ESPN’s computer model is still bullish on the Orange and Blue.

Billy Napier and the Florida Gators had a bye during college football’s Week 9 but that does not mean there was not plenty of gridiron action going on.

While the Orange and Blue used its time off to regroup, the nation’s favorite fall sport once again delivered some exciting results that resulted in some changes in the media’s various polls and rankings. The US LBM Coaches Poll did not see much movement among its top six teams but down the ballot, there were a few shakeups.

Florida might not be making any appearances in the major polls this week, but they remained among the top 25 in ESPN’s Football Power Index rankings. After the weekend breather, the Gators saw their stock slip slightly in the SP+ rankings from ESPN, but are still a top-25 team according to that computer model.

Florida football’s SP+ ranking, rating

Last week, Napier and Co. were ranked 18th out of 134 Football Bowl Subdivision schools with a 13.7 overall rating after a big homecoming win over the Kentucky Wildcats. After the bye this weekend, Florida slipped three spots to No. 21 — still well within the top 25 — with a 13.0 overall rating.

On offense, the team slipped from No. 15 and a 36.1 rating to No. 21 and a 35.3 rating; the defense actually moved up from No. 44 with a 22.8 rating to No. 41, but this week’s rating fell 0.1 points to 22.7.

The special teams unit, which spent a few weeks as the top-rated corps in the country at the start of the schedule, inched back up from No. 13 to No. 11 with a 0.4 rating — the same it has had all season.

SP+ rankings top 10 teams

The Texas Longhorns reclaimed the top spot in the SP+ rankings from the now-second-place Ohio State Buckeyes, edging them by 0.5 points in the ratings. The Ole Miss Rebels, Oregon Ducks and Alabama Crimson Tide round out the top five, respectively.

The Georgia Bulldogs come at No. 6, followed by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Penn State Nittany Lions, Miami Hurricanes and Tennessee Volunteers, respectively, to round out the top 10 schools.

About SP+ predictions

“SP+ is intended to be predictive and forward-facing,” according to ESPN. “It is not a résumé ranking that gives credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling — no good predictive system is.

“It is simply a measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football. If you’re lucky or unimpressive in a win, your rating will probably fall. If you’re strong and unlucky in a loss, it will probably rise.”

Coming up for Florida

Florida and Georgia face off for a Week 10 rivalry battle in Jacksonville on Saturday, Nov. 2 with kickoff slated for 3:30 p.m. ET. The pregame festivities will be featured on SEC Nation and the game will be broadcast on ABC.

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Gators creeping up 247Sports SEC poll after beating Kentucky

Florida continues to move up the 247Sports SEC poll following a big win over Kentucky. The Gators are tied for 11th in the conference after Week 8.

The Florida Gators are tied for 11th in the SEC after eight weeks of play, according to the SEC beat writers at 247Sports.

Each week, the 247Sports SEC writers vote to rank each of the 16 teams in the conference and adjust the poll accordingly. Georgia moved ahead of Texas after taking down the Longhorns in convincing fashion, earning all 16 first-place votes.

Florida is tied for the biggest move up the rankings this week with a two-spot jump. Tennessee and South Carolina both moved up two places as well, ranking fourth and 10th, respectively.

Alabama is the big loser this week after looking undisciplined in its loss to Tennessee. The post-Nick Saban era hasn’t been a complete disaster, but it’s clear that the culture is changing in Tuscaloosa. Officials called 15 penalties against the Crimson Tide on Saturday, including a personal foul that turned a late fourth-and-7 into a fourth-and-22

Week 9 247Sports SEC poll

  1. Georgia (16) — +1
  2. Texas — – 1
  3. LSU — +1
  4. Tennessee — +2
  5. Texas A&M — 0
  6. Alabama — -3
  7. Ole Miss — 0
  8. Missouri — 0
  9. Vanderbilt — 0
  10. South Carolina — +2
  11. Arkansas — -1
  12. Florida — +2
  13. Kentucky — 0
  14. Oklahoma — -2
  15. Auburn — 0
  16. Mississippi State — 0

Coming up for the Gators

The Gators are off next week due to their bye week. The next matchup for Florida will be against Georgia on Nov. 2 in Jacksonville. That game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on ABC.

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Florida makes huge jump in The Athletic’s Week 8 SEC vibe check

For the first time this season, Florida is ranked higher than No. 14 on The Athletic’s weekly SEC vibe check. A four-touchdown win is the cause.

Florida’s Week 8 win over Kentucky sent waves of hope and positivity throughout the Gators’ fan base. So much so that even the biggest haters can’t deny the vibes in Gainesville are up.

The Athletic’s Seth Emerson, who puts together the weekly SEC vibe check, hasn’t ranked Florida higher than 14th at any point this year. But the Georgia Bulldogs beat writer couldn’t deny the Orange and Blue this week following a 48-20 win over the Wildcats.

Sure, he managed to sneak some snark in, but moving the Gators up to No. 8 in the Week 8 vibe check had to be a tough swallow.

“(Looking around.) So we’re doing this? Yeah, we’re doing this. The vibes basement dweller early in the season, the team with the dead coach walking, is still hanging around and improving,” Emerson wrote. “By lasting this long, Billy Napier now gets an awkward reunion with Jaden Rashada before or after the team’s game against Georgia in Jacksonville. Hug it out, fellas.”

Thanks, I guess.

Rashada jokes aside, things are looking up for Florida, even with a daunting schedule looming. The defense has improved week by week, and a true freshman duo at quarterback and running back just put up 400-plus offensive yards against a top-3 defensive in the league (entering Week 8).

Beating one of Georgia, Texas, LSU and Ole Miss after the bye is key, though. Florida could fall right back to where it was if none of those games are competitive, and Billy Napier would almost certainly lose his job. A 6-6 finish is achievable though, with a floundering Florida State team at the end of the tunnel.

For now, the Gators get an extra week to enjoy the win with a bye coming up. Then comes that gauntlet of top-15 teams.

Week 8 SEC vibe check rankings

  1. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1)
  2. Tennessee Volunteers (6-1, 3-1)
  3. LSU Tigers (6-1, 3-0)
  4. Texas A&M Aggies (6-1, 4-0)
  5. Vanderbilt Commodores (5-2, 2-1)
  6. South Carolina Gamecocks (4-3, 2-3)
  7. Texas Longhorns (6-1, 2-1 SEC)
  8. Florida Gators (4-3, 2-2)
  9. Missouri Tigers (6-1, 2-1)
  10. Ole Miss Rebels (5-2, 1-2)
  11. Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-6, 0-4)
  12. Arkansas Razorbacks (4-3, 2-2)
  13. Alabama Crimson Tide (5-2, 2-2)
  14. Auburn Tigers (2-5, 0-4)
  15. Kentucky Wildcats (3-4, 1-4)
  16. Oklahoma Sooners (4-3, 1-3)

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Gators crack SP+ rankings top 20 after beating Kentucky in Week 8

Believe it or not, the computer models are feeling very bullish on the Florida Gators after the Kentucky win — specifically ESPN’s SP+.

Billy Napier finally got the results he had been looking for on Saturday, and it could not have been timed any better.

Coinciding with Florida football’s annual homecoming weekend, the Gators defended the Swamp against the Kentucky Wildcats in Week 8 and ran up a 48-20 final score to earn their fourth win of the season and second in Southeastern Conference play.

The Orange and Blue witnessed the true beginning of the [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag] era, whose arm pieced the ‘Cats defense with deep throws. The defense also came up strong for the squad including a pick-six to close out the scoring.

As a result of the key victory, Florida saw its stock rise significantly in the SP+ rankings from ESPN.

Florida football’s SP+ ranking, rating

Last week, Napier and Co. were ranked 25th out of 134 Football Bowl Subdivision schools, with an overall rating of 12.6. After the Week 8 win, Florida is now ranked 18th — an improvement of seven spots — with a 13.7 overall rating.

On offense, the team moved back from No. 17 with a 35.7 rating to No. 15 with a 36.1 rating while the defense inched up from No. 46 to No. 44 despite the rating falling from 23.2 to 22.8. The special teams unit, which spent a few weeks as the top-rated corps in the country at the start of the season, remained at No. 13 after a checkered performance against Kentucky.

SP+ Top 10 Teams

The Ohio State Buckeyes took over the top spot this week after the Texas Longhorns took their first loss of the season, falling to No. 2. The Ole Miss Rebels, Georgia Bulldogs — who beat Texas — and Oregon Ducks round out the top five, respectively.

The remainder of the top 10 is occupied by the Penn State Nittany Lions, Alabama Crimson Tide, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Tennessee Volunteers and Miami Hurricanes, respectively.

About SP+ predictions

“SP+ is intended to be predictive and forward-facing,” according to ESPN. “It is not a résumé ranking that gives credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling — no good predictive system is.

“It is simply a measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football. If you’re lucky or unimpressive in a win, your rating will probably fall. If you’re strong and unlucky in a loss, it will probably rise.”

Coming up for Florida

The Gators are off next week due to their bye week. The next matchup for Florida will be against the Georgia Bulldogs on Nov. 2 in Jacksonville. That game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on ABC.

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