Florida’s defensive line will have some holes to fill against Florida Atlantic.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — There were moments when the offense shined, and there were others that made Gator fans scratch their heads and wonder how the bright spots were possible.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — What a difference a year makes.
One game signaled the end of an era.
After a narrow 9-7 win over Vanderbilt on Homecoming on Saturday, the No. 11 Gators hit the road to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia, South Carolina, at noon on ESPN.
Marcus Maye’s season began watching Florida beat New Mexico State 61-13 on Sept. 5 from the sidelines, forced to sit out the season-opener because of a violation of team rules.
The No. 11 Florida Gators (8-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) travel to Columbia, South Carolina, to face the South Carolina Gamecocks (3-6, 1-6 SEC) in both teams’ final conference game of the year. The Gators already clinched the SEC East and are now focused on running the table for a potential College Football Playoff berth. The Gamecocks are on the outside looking in for the postseason, needing to win their final three games to become bowl eligible. Here’s a look at South Carolina’s season to this point and what the Gamecocks bring to the game:
Fresh off of clinching the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division for the first time since 2009, Florida’s next matchup is against a team that is currently trying to find its identity: South Carolina.
With less than two-and-a-half minutes left to play on Saturday and No. 10 Florida trailing Vanderbilt 7-6, UF kicker Austin Hardin trots out to the field.
Minutes after an ugly 9-7 victory over Vanderbilt, a win that clinched a berth in the Southeastern Conference title game for Florida, coach Jim McElwain uttered a phrase that summed up his thoughts on the day — and the season.
The Gators found themselves in a similar position – trailing to a seemingly inferior opponent, on Homecoming nonetheless.
"So I took an over-the-counter supplement that had something in it."
As Florida started its final drive against Vanderbilt in 2013, the Gators already knew the outcome.
With a trip to the Southeastern Conference Championship in clear sight, the No. 10 Florida Gators (7-1, 5-1 SEC) host Vanderbilt (3-5, 1-3 SEC) Saturday at noon for a homecoming showdown.
Sophomore defensive back Jalen Tabor isn’t shy about where he thinks his standing is in Florida’s secondary.
On "Special Treat Wednesday"’, Florida coach Jim McElwain said his team finished practice with a level of focus that was "pretty darn good."
With No. 10 Florida set to take on Vanderbilt at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, alligatorSports editor Graham Hall reached out to Ben Weinrib, sports editor at the Vanderbilt Hustler, for his thoughts on the Homecoming showdown and who he thinks will win on Saturday.
Prior to Florida’s 27-3 win against Georgia on Saturday, coach Jim McElwain stressed the importance of getting the running game going during the bye week.
Florida is ranked No. 10 in this season’s first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings, which were released on Tuesday night.
With Florida riding high following its 27-3 win against Georgia on Saturday, and the prospect of having the chance to clinch a spot in the Southeastern Conference title game this weekend, coach Jim McElwain is preaching one thing to his team this week.
Solutions by The State News
