Tag: usa today sports

Florida hangs tight in latest USA TODAY Sports bracketology update

Here’s where Florida lands in USA TODAY Sports’ latest bracketology update.

The ball continues to bounce in Florida basketball’s favor as the end of January nears. The Gators have won three straight straight games en route to an 18-2 overall record while ranked fifth in the Associated Press Poll and sixth in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

The success Todd Golden’s gang experienced has the team on a trajectory for a high seeding in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Selection Sunday falls on March 16 this year, leaving a little more than a month and a half before the Big Dance begins.

USA TODAY Sports writers Eddie Timanus, Erick Smith and Paul Myerberg revised their tournament outlook in Wednesday’s bracketology update, which saw Florida remain the No. 2 seed in the East Region based in Newark. For the opening-round matchup, Todd Golden’s gang remains lined up with the 15th-seeded Cleveland State Vikings in Providence, Rhode Island.

SEC schools in bracketology

The SEC is once again represented by a bracketology-best 13 schools headlined, by the Auburn Tigers in the South Region for the second-straight update while the Alabama Crimson Tide switched places with the Tennessee Volunteers, taking over the top seed in the West.

That sent the Vols to the No. 2 seed in the Midwest, joining Florida as the two 2-seeds from the league in the bracketology. The Mississippi Bulldogs are right behind them with the No. 3 seed in the East, with the Kentucky Wildcats (Midwest) and Texas A&M Aggies (East) on their heels as No. 4 seeds.

The Missouri Tigers are a No. 5 seed in the South while the Ole Miss Rebels come in with a No. 6 seed in the West. The Vanderbilt Commodores are a No. 9 seed in the East, followed by SEC newcomers, the Oklahoma Sooners (South) and Texas Longhorns (West), who along with the Georgia Bulldogs (Midwest) hold onto No. 10 seeds.

USA TODAY Sports full bracketology

Last four in

Ohio State, San Diego State, North Carolina, Central Florida.

Last four out

Wake Forest, SMU, Arizona State, Brigham Young.

NCAA Tournament bids conference breakdown

Multi-bid leagues: SEC (13), Big Ten (9), Big 12 (8), ACC (5), Big East (4), Mountain West (2), West Coast (2).

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Where Florida lands in USA TODAY Sports’ first bracketology of 2025

USA TODAY Sports’ bracketology agrees with most of the others on where Florida should be seeded in the NCAA Tournament.

USA TODAY Sports writers Paul Myerberg, Eddie Timanus and Erick Smith published the first edition of their men’s college basketball bracketology outlook on Friday.

The Florida Gators have put together an impressive campaign so far during the 2024-25 season, amassing a 17-2 overall record that includes a 4-2 mark against fellow Southeastern Conference schools. Their success so far has them ranked among the top 10 in the major polls and rankings while also seeded near the top of the NCAA Tournament outlooks.

In USA TODAY Sports’ first stab at predicting the field of 68 teams that will compete this March, the Orange and Blue are seeded second in the East Region based in Newark. For the opening round, Todd Golden’s gang is lined up with the 15th-seeded Cleveland State Vikings in Providence, Rhode Island.

The SEC is represented by 13 schools — the most of any conference — headlined by the Auburn Tigers (South) and Tennessee Volunteers (West) who occupy two of the four No. 1 seeds. Florida and the Alabama Crimson Tide (Midwest) are the two No. 2 seeds from the league in the bracketology.

USA TODAY Sports full bracketology

Last four in

Central Florida, Texas, San Diego State, Virginia Commonwealth

Last four out

Wake Forest, Cincinnati, North Carolina, SMU

NCAA Tournament bids conference breakdown

Multi-bid leagues: SEC (13), Big Ten (9), Big 12 (8), Big East (4), ACC (4), Atlantic 10 (2), Mountain West (2), West Coast (2).

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USA TODAY Sports gives Florida high grade for 2024 season

USA TODAY Sports gives the Gators a fair grade for their 2024 college football season.

As the echoes of whistles fade and stadium lights dim on another intense and exciting college football season, Florida football has emerged with commendable recognition.

USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg graded all 134 teams in college football based on their performance during the 2024 season and decided to give the Gators a B-plus.

Florida’s journey through the season was a rollercoaster of thrilling victories and heart-wrenching defeats. With a roster brimming with talent and aspirations, the Gators showed flashes of brilliance that suggested potential for great things to come.

Offensively, the Gators showed substantial progress. The development of quarterback DJ Lagway, who found his rhythm midway through the season after stepping into the starting role because of Graham Mertz’s season-ending injury, was a big factor in their offense’s overall performance.

On defense, Florida managed to create crucial stops at pivotal times, showcasing a growth in defensive coordination as the season progressed.

In essence, this B-plus is not just a reflection of this past season, but a stepping stone to the greater heights the Florida Gators aim to achieve. They key for the Gators will be consistency if they hope to become one of the best teams in the SEC.

SEC season grades by USA TODAY Sports

Grade: D

  • Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-10)
  • Auburn Tigers (5-7)

Grade: D+

  • Kentucky Wildcats (4-8)

Grade: C-

  • Oklahoma Sooners (6-7)

Grade: C

  • Arkansas Razorbacks (7-6)
  • Alabama Crimson Tide (9-4)

Grade: C+

  • LSU Tigers (9-4)

Grade: B

  • Missouri Tigers (10-3)

Grade: B+

  • Texas A&M Aggies (8-5)
  • Ole Miss Rebels (10-3)
  • Florida Gators (8-5)

Grade: A-

  • Vanderbilt Commodores (7-6)
  • Texas Longhorns (13-3)
  • Tennessee Volunteers (10-3)
  • South Carolina Gamecocks (9-4)
  • Georgia Bulldogs (11-3)

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Florida football moves up 5 spots in USA TODAY Sports’ final re-rank

Here’s where USA TODAY Sports has the Gators in its final rerank of the 2024 campaign.

The college football season is officially over with the completion of the national championship game on Monday, in which the Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the Football Bowl Subdivision title.

Now that the dust has settled, it is time to look back and reflect upon the season that was, which includes a final ranking of the schools that participated in the 2024 campaign. The US LBM Coaches Poll and Associated Press Poll have both released their final tallies while others have published their final reranks.

USA TODAY Sports reporter Paul Myerberg issued his final college football rerank of all 134 FBS programs on Tuesday, including the Florida Gators. Here is where Billy Napier and Co. finished in his standings.

Florida’s final 2024 rerank

The Gators moved up five spots to No. 35 in the final USA TODAY Sports rerank, nestling them between the No. 34 Iowa Hawkeyes and No. 36 Marshall Thundering Herd.

Napier’s crew is ahead of six other Southeastern Conference schools in the rankings: Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 39); Vanderbilt Commodores (No. 40);   Oklahoma Sooners (No. 64); Auburn Tigers (No. 86); Kentucky Wildcats (No. 89); Mississippi State Bulldogs (No. 110).

USA TODAY Sports’ top 10 rerank

Ohio State claims the top spot in the final rankings followed by Notre Dame, the Oregon Ducks, Penn State Nittany Lions and Texas Longhorns, respectively, to wrap up the top five. The Georgia Bulldogs come in at No. 6 while the Arizona State Sun Devils, Boise State Broncos, Indiana Hoosiers and Tennessee Volunteers follow in order the round out the top 10.

SEC rerank changes from start to finish

Rank Team Record Preseason Rank Change
5 Texas Longhorns 11-3 3 -2
6 Georgia Bulldogs 11-3 1 -5
10 Tennessee Volunteers 10-3 14 +4
11 Ole Miss Rebels 10-3 10 -1
21 Alabama Crimson Tide 9-4 5 -16
22 South Carolina Gamecocks 9-4 69 +47
24 Missouri Tigers 10-3 22 -2
27 LSU Tigers 9-4 6 -21
33 Texas A&M Aggies 8-5 29 -4
35 Florida Gators 8-5 59 +24
39 Arkansas Razorbacks 7-6 68 +29
40 Vanderbilt Commodores 7-6 118 +78
64 Oklahoma Sooners 6-7 12 -52
86 Auburn Tigers 5-7 43 -43
89 Kentucky Wildcats 4-8 39 -50
110 Mississippi State Bulldogs 2-10 73 -37

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Where USA TODAY Sports has Florida in their way-too-early top 25

Gators crack the top 15 in college football’s way-too-early Top 25 rankings by USA TODAY Sports.

College football’s offseason buzz began to swell immediately after the final horn sounded on the national championship game. USA TODAY Sports has unveiled its way-too-early top 25 rankings, placing the Florida Gators in a promising position at No. 12.

Florida’s late-season surge in 2024 has not gone unnoticed, sparking anticipation for what the upcoming season may hold.

As the Gators gear up for what could be a transformative season, the blend of seasoned players and emerging talent sets the stage for an exciting chapter in 2025.

While the optimism is cautious, the foundation laid by the team’s late-season performance and the continued improvement and development of their young star quarterback DJ Lagway gives the Gators a solid footing in USA TODAY Sports’ early rankings.

This is what USA TODAY Sports writers Paul Myerberg and Erick Smith said about Florida football.

What USA TODAY Sports said about the Gators

“There’s going to be a lot of hype for the Gators after their strong finish in 2024. It’s also mindful to pump the brakes and not get too high on their prospects. Momentum doesn’t always carry over.

“That said, there are enough pieces to push for a place among the upper third of the league with QB DJ Lagway expected to improve in his sophomore season. RB Jadan Baugh will carry the running game. The defense made major strides in the second half of the season and will be led by linemen Tyreak Sapp and Caleb Banks.”

USA TODAY Sports way-too-early college football top 25

25. Louisville Cardinals

24. Ole Miss Rebels

23. UNLV Rebels

22. Nebraska Cornhuskers

21. Boise State Broncos

20. Iowa State Cyclones

19. SMU Mustangs

18. Michigan Wolverines

17. BYU Cougars

16. Miami Hurricanes

15. Kansas State Wildcats

14. South Carolina Gamecocks

13. Illinois Fighting Illini

12. Florida Gators

11. Oregon Ducks

10. Arizona State Sun Devils

9. Tennessee Volunteers

8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

7. Clemson Tigers

6. LSU Tigers

5. Georgia Bulldogs

4. Penn State Nittany Lions

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

2. Texas Longhorns

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

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Florida football among USA TODAY Sports winners from bowl season

The Gators emerged as one of the winners this bowl season according to USA TODAY Sports.

It was a rollercoaster 2024 campaign for the Florida football program, one that saw its head coach on the verge of an exit at one point during the season only to turn things around in 180-degree fashion during the late stretch.

By the end of the 12-game regular-season schedule and a Gasparilla Bowl appearance, the Gators defied many prognostications by finishing with a robust 8-5 overall record. Billy Napier and Co. began the fall with many expecting half of that win total, but he and his team proved the naysayers wrong with a four-game winning streak to close things out.

Those results pushed Florida up to No. 17 in the SP+ and No. 19 in the Football Power Index while climbing the other metrics. The strong finish also did not go unnoticed by USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg, who mentioned the Orange and Blue in his bowl season winners and losers column.

Florida among USA TODAY Sports winners

“It’s been quite a postseason for the SEC — more on that in a minute — but Florida’s win against Tulane caps a terrific second half and should inflate the Gators’ bandwagon heading into next season. Once on the brink of throwing in the towel on the Billy Napier era, the school’s decision to bring Napier back in 2025 sparked a major turnaround,” Myerberg notes.

“One of the biggest reasons for optimism, rising sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway, threw for 305 yards as Florida pulled away from the Green Wave in the third and fourth quarters to win eight games for the first since 2020.”

Other winners include the final four teams in the College Football Playoff, the American Athletic Conference, the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Michigan Wolverines.

SEC, other USA TODAY Sports losers

The losers from the bowl season were headlined by the Southeastern Conference, which saw its dominance evaporate in the opening two rounds of the CFP.

“The league is 8-6 overall in the postseason, joining the Big Ten as the only Power Four leagues with a winning record in bowl play. The SEC can tout strong bowl wins by Florida, Arkansas (Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl), LSU (Baylor in the Texas Bowl) and Mississippi (Duke in the Gator Bowl), not to mention two playoff wins by Texas,” Myerberg points out.

“But the head-to-head results against the Big Ten are embarrassing: Missouri beat Iowa, but South Carolina lost to Illinois, the Alabama lost to Michigan, Texas A&M lost to Southern California and Ohio State creamed Tennessee.”

Other losers include the Atlantic Coast Conference, Alabama and the Colorado Buffaloes.

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Omarion Hampton a first-round 2025 NFL Draft pick according to USA TODAY Sports

Omarion Hampton will play in the NFL next fall, but which team will choose him in April’s draft?

The North Carolina Tar Heels played to another disappointing finish during their college football season, losing three-consecutive games to finish 6-7.

UNC went through three different starting quarterbacks in Max Johnson, Conner Harrell and Jacolby Criswell. North Carolina limped into the Fenway Bowl – and lost 27-14 to UConn, its fifth-straight defeat in bowl season.

Despite the Tar Heels’ continued struggles on the football field, there was one to keep watching them: star running back Omarion Hampton.

With the 2025 NFL Draft just three months away, Hampton is being mocked as a first-round pick – by two separate media outlets – in USA TODAY Sports’ collection of mock drafts.

The Draft Network has the Los Angeles Chargers taking Hampton 22nd overall, while NJ.com sees the Green Bay Packers choosing Hampton 24th overall.

Hampton would undoubtedly thrive in either the City of Angels or in cold, snowy Wisconsin, but the Chargers and Packers both have plenty of running back talent on their rosters.

Los Angeles is starting former Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins. Behind Dobbins is former Miami (FL) and Rutgers back Gus Edwards, former Michigan back Hassan Haskins and Troy standout Kimani Vidal.

Green Bay is starting one of the NFL’s best running backs in Josh Jacobs, but the depth behind him is thin in NFL experience with Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks and former USC back MarShawn Lloyd.

Hampton continued showing why he’s one of the best backs in college football this season, rushing for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns. Hampton climbed the UNC record books and collected his second-straight 1,000-yard season, which included a pair of 200-yard outings.

Whichever NFL team selects Hampton in April is getting a talented, hard-working back who’s just as good a person as he is a football player.

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USA TODAY Sports sees DJ Lagway in mix for 2025 Heisman Trophy

Just days after this season’s Heisman Trophy announcement the media is already looking ahead to next year. DJ Lagway’s name is consistently mentioned.

The Heisman Trophy is the most coveted award in college football, annually given to the top player in the sport. This past season saw Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter earn the honor after a phenomenal 2024 campaign.

But enough about him. What is in store next fall for the prestigious prize?

The sports media wasted no time looking ahead to 2025 for the next Heisman Trophy contender. Among them was USA TODAY Sports writer Austin Curtright, who penned his favorites for the award earlier this week.

Included among the 11 players listed was Florida Gators quarterback [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag], who is in the midst of a stellar true freshman campaign that has been anything but smooth sailing. However, with just a bowl game remaining, he did plenty to build his cred.

“Florida freshman quarterback DJ Lagway showed flashes of brilliance for the Gators after taking over the starting job after Graham Mertz suffered a season-ending injury,” Curtright begins.

“Lagway’s play was crucial for the Gators reaching seven wins, leading them to ranked victories against LSU and Mississippi in back-to-back weeks,” he continues.

“His stats have been solid entering Florida’s bowl game. He has completed 93 of 157 passes for 1,610 yards with 11 touchdowns to seven interceptions and will hope to build on a season of flashes as a sophomore.”

2025 Heisman Trophy contenders

Along with Lagway, quarterbacks Cade Klubnik (Clemson Tigers), Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee Volunteers), Arch Manning (Texas Longhorns), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU Tigers), Drew Allar (Penn State Nittany Lions), John Mateer (Washington State Cougars) and LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina Gamecocks) also made the cut.

Running back Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame Fighting Irish) was also included along with wide receivers Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State Buckeyes) and Ryan Williams (Alabama Crimson Tide).

Other Heisman predictions for Lagway

CBS Sports writer Blake Brockermeyer also included Lagway in his list of 14 players who have a strong possibility of winning the 2025 Heisman Trophy.

“Lagway has been as advertised as the top-ranked QB in the 2024 class and just earned 247Sports True Freshman All-America Team honors,” Brockermeyer wrote.

“He’s trending towards being a very high pick in two seasons if he continues to develop but until then he’s got the chance to be the face of a Florida turnaround and one of the best QBs in the country. The big-framed dual-threat QB has plenty of big-name teams on the docket next year to deliver a Heisman moment or two.”

Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassand also included Florida’s signal-caller in his way-too-early outlook on the prestigious award.

“Lagway’s move into the starting lineup was instrumental in Florida’s late-season improvement that included big-time wins over LSU, Ole Miss, and Florida State and also likely saved coach Billy Napier’s job after a 3-3 start,” Lassan notes. “The sophomore-to-be has enormous upside and talent that will only get better with more snaps in ’25.”

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USA TODAY Sports unanimously picks Florida over Tulane in Gasparilla Bowl

The experts are feeling very bullish about the Gators in the Gasparilla Bowl next Friday.

Billy Napier and the Florida Gators are heading to a bowl game this year after missing out on college football’s postseason in 2023. This time around, the Orange and Blue will be playing in the Gasparilla Bowl for the second time in four years, with the Tulane Green Wave slated as their opponent.

The Green Wave went 9-4 this fall but faltered down the stretch, losing their last two including a blowout loss in the American Athletic Conference title game. The Gators finished just 7-5 but beat a pair of top-25 schools en route to three straight wins to wrap up the regular season.

So how do the experts feel about this game? Who has the edge in this battle between these two bayou-based schools?

USA TODAY Sports picks for Florida-Tulane

Six members of USA TODAY Sports’ writing staff consisting of Scooby Axson, Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus and Dan Wolken unanimously picked Florida to prevail over Tulane in Tampa.

Gasparilla Bowl game ranking

According to Timanus’ rankings of 35 non-playoff postseason matchups based on what he believes will have the highest entertainment value, the Florida-Tulane matchup in the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl comes in at No. 28.

“The matchup here is a lot less attractive than the records might indicate,” he notes. “The Green Wave’s promising year wound up in a series of disappointments including transfer exits, while the Gators made a surprising push late and will now look to carry that momentum into the offseason.”

How to watch Gasparilla Bowl

The Gators will face the Green Wave in the Gasparilla Bowl held inside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Friday, Dec. 20. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

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USA TODAY Sports ranks Florida-Tulane matchup in Gasparilla Bowl

The Gasparilla Bowl might be a bit of a mismatch — in Florida’s favor — according to USA TODAY Sports.

College football’s bowl season is finally here and this year the Florida Gators will face the Tulane Green Wave in the Gasparilla Bowl. For Billy Napier and Co., this game is the culmination of a monumental effort this season to get over the hump and back into the postseason.

The Orange and Blue finished with a 7-5 overall record thanks to three straight wins to wrap up the regular-season schedule — including two over-then-top-25 teams. The achievement ends a three-year losing streak, which was the longest the program had endured since the 1940s.

The Green Wave went 9-4 this fall including a blowout loss to the Army Black Knights in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game last weekend.

USA TODAY Sports writer Eddie Timanus recently put together his rankings of 35 non-playoff postseason matchups based on what he believes will have the highest entertainment value. His was pretty bearish overall.

Gasparilla Bowl ranking

According to Timanus’ rankings, the Florida-Tulane matchup in the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl comes in at No. 28 out of the 35 total games listed.

“The matchup here is a lot less attractive than the records might indicate,” he notes. “The Green Wave’s promising year wound up in a series of disappointments including transfer exits, while the Gators made a surprising push late and will now look to carry that momentum into the offseason.”

How to watch Gasparilla Bowl

The Gators will face the Green Wave in the Gasparilla Bowl held inside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 20. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

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