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.
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.
Top 15 with a win over Ole Mess, you heard it here first
A win over Ole Miss would vault Florida into the top 15, I agree.