The Gators football team jumped to No. 12 in the weekly Associated Press top-25 poll following its 29-26 win over the then-No. 7 Utah Utes last weekend.
After beginning the season unranked, this marks Florida’s first appearance in the top 25 under head coach Billy Napier.
It’s the largest jump for an unranked team in the AP Poll since 2016, according to a tweet from Mark Long of the Associated Press. Long also noted it’s the biggest move for the Gators in the AP poll since 1966, when they were led by Heisman trophy winning quarterback Steve Spurrier.
Florida started last season ranked No. 20 and climbed as high as No. 10 before eventually crashing out of the top 25. The season collapsed under the watch of former head coach Dan Mullen and UF ended the season with a 6-7 record.
Voters were skeptical of UF to start this year. The Gators received just 14 points in the preseason ranking — 38th in the country.
Behind a superstar performance from sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson, Florida put college football on notice. The AP voters still have respect for the Gators’ week-one opponent, however. The Utes fell just six spots to No. 13, one behind the Gators. If Utah proceeds to have success throughout the remainder of its Pac-12 schedule, UF’s win could be looked at even more favorably down the line.
The weekly coaches poll was slightly less bullish on Florida. UF rose from receiving votes up to No. 19, just cracking the top 20. The Gators were still four spots below Utah, who fell seven spots to No. 15.
Following a week one victory over Miami (Ohio), Florida’s week two opponent the Kentucky Wildcats didn’t move in the latest AP poll. UK slotted in at No. 20.
The Gators’ quick rise in the rankings sets up a top-20 showdown Saturday when Florida hosts the Wildcats at 7 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Contact Topher Adams at tadams@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @Topher_Adams.
Topher Adams is a fourth-year communications major and in his fourth semester with the Alligator. He previously covered football, baseball and women's basketball. He also enjoys professional lacrosse and Major League Soccer.
