Florida Gators return to AP Top-25 for first time since 2013

The No. 25 Florida Gators (4-0, 2-0 SEC) are ranked inside the AP Top-25 poll for the first time since a 36-17 loss to Missouri on October 19, 2013 — a span of 708 days.

The Florida Gators entered the top-25 with a thrilling 28-27 fourth quarter comeback victory over the Tennessee Volunteers (2-2, 0-1 SEC) on Saturday night. The Gators victory over Kentucky was also bolstered as the Wildcats were able to beat the previously undefeated and top-25 ranked Missouri Tigers.

Florida has been ranked as the No. 25 team in the AP Poll four times and are 2-0 (two bye weeks) as the last team in the poll.

The Gators prize for earning their first nomination as one of the top-25 teams in the country is a date with No. 3 Ole Miss (4-0, 2-0 SEC) who narrowly avoided a defeat at the hands of Vanderbilt last Saturday. The Rebels do have a win over Alabama in Bryant Denney Stadium this season and combine a devastating defense with a high-octane offense.

This will be the first matchup between top-25 teams in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium since Florida defeated South Carolina on October 21, 2012.

The Florida Gators are 5-12-1 all-time against teams that enter the game as the AP No. 3 team in the country.

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC

3 COMMENTS

  1. This is a great start. I know there is a lot of football to be played before the rankings ‘set’. But last night in the Swamp I felt that magic that is the Gator Nation. The 4th quarter was truly incredible. Great teams need a little luck. Hope ours continues this week.