Florida moved up one spot to No. 6 in the BCS rankings on Sunday, as LSU dropped from No. 5 to No. 7 after a 21-17 loss to No. 1 Alabama.
The Gators are the second highest-ranked one-loss team. Georgia is No. 5.
Four of the five remaining undefeated teams — Alabama, Kansas State, Oregon and Notre Dame — are the top four in the BCS. Undefeated Lousiville is ranked No. 9.
UF ranks No. 4 in the BCS computer rankings, ahead of all but Alabama, Notre Dame and Kansas State.
Florida also moved from No. 8 to No. 7 in the AP Poll, again passing LSU.
Injury update: Between a flu bug that ripped through the Gators locker room during the week and the normal nicks and bruises that come with a grueling schedule, Saturday’s 14-7 win against Missouri was one of Florida’s most physically taxing this season.
“Everybody is fighting through stuff,” linebacker Jon Bostic said.
Florida won Saturday’s game without key pieces of its pass rush and pass protection, as Buck linebacker Lerentee McCray (ankle) and left tackle Xavier Nixon (knee) both did not dress.
“[They] were game-time decisions,” coach Will Muschamp said. “I didn’t feel that they could go.”
Freshmen Dante Fowler Jr. and Jonathan Bullard provided a pass rush in McCray’s absence, while freshman D.J. Humphries filled in for Nixon.
“No matter what, we feel like we can always pull close,” right tackle Chaz Green said. “Man down, man up. No matter who is in there, we have the utmost faith that they’re going to pull through.”
Andre Debose did not dress for the game after suffering a knee injury during practice on Thursday.
Kicker Caleb Sturgis suffered an injury that led to swelling in the ankle on his kicking foot during the week of practice. Sturgis attempted a 47-yard field goal during the second quarter but could not generate the proper elevation, leading to a blocked kick.
Safety Matt Elam also left Saturday’s game due to injury.
“He just strained his groin,” Muschamp said. “He’s going to be fine.”
“With Matt being back there, that’s a big help,” Bostic said. “Him, me; there’s a lot of guys on defense that are fighting through things today. Hopefully he’s healthy for next week.”
Guards Jon Halapio and James Wilson also suffered undisclosed injuries on Saturday, as did running back Mack Brown. Muschamp did not know the extent of the injuries.
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
Offensive lineman James Wilson gets helped off the field Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida beat Missouri 14-7.
