Aug 31, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws a pass against Miami Hurricanes linebacker Chase Smith (41) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
None of the AP Top 25 Poll voters included Florida in their Week 1 submission, but that’s not much of a surprise to anyone who watched the Gators get throttled by the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, 41-17.
However, Florida wasn’t the only Power Four team to struggle through Week 1, and those eight ranked teams on the Gators’ schedule have become six. That’s not to say Florida’s schedule is no longer the most difficult in the country but rather to point out that a few games are less daunting than originally believed.
Skipping over FCS Samford, which is next on Florida’s schedule, the Gators face Texas A&M in Week 3. The Aggies didn’t look great against Notre Dame on Saturday, dropping them out of the top 25. Still, TAMU is the unofficial No. 26 team in the country.
Both Mississippi State and UCF remain unranked, but a few weeks could change things after both teams started the season with a win. Week 7 is where things get really challenging for Florida, with Tennessee ranked No. 14 in the latest AP Poll. Kentucky could also be ranked by the time Florida hosts in Week 8, but for now, the Wildcats only earned two poll points.
Then comes the gauntlet — No. 1 Georgia in Jacksonville, at No. 3 Texas, No. 18 LSU and No. 6 Ole Miss.
The good news is Florida State might be struggling more than UF at 0-2. It’s going to be tough for the ‘Noles to climb back up the rankings, but the in-state rivalry is still 12 weeks away.
Here is the complete AP Top 25 following Week 1 of the college football season
Rank
Team
Record
Points
Change
1
Georgia
1-0
1,545 (57)
–
2
Ohio State
1-0
1,478…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/where-floridas-opponents-rank-ap-232912993.html
Author : Gators Wire
Publish date : 2024-09-03 23:29:12
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