Florida climbs to No. 15 in AP poll; No. 12 in coaches’ poll

The Gators moved up to No. 15 in the newly released AP poll and No. 12 in the new USA Today coaches’ poll. Florida was previously slotted at No. 18 in the AP poll and No. 14 in the coaches’ poll. The Gators won their second homecoming game under Jim McElwain on Saturday, defeating Missouri 40-14, in a disorganized but dominant victory.

Florida benefited as the polls shifted due to other teams suffering additional losses; and either dropping down in, or exiting, the polls. But despite what concerns may linger from the Gators’ performances so far this season, Florida does only have one loss - and that loss was on the road to a ranked team. Only two one-loss teams (Louisville, Houston), and two two-loss teams (Wisconsin, Florida State), find themselves above the Gators in one, or both, of the polls.

Tennessee, Florida’s lone loss, drops out of the top-ten after being handily defeated by Alabama, and down to No. 18 in the AP and No. 19 in the coaches’. Miami dropped out of both polls after suffering their second straight loss. Virginia Tech and Arizona State also made their exits. The SEC has eight teams ranked in the top-25 in both polls; with Florida appearing as the third highest ranked team in each. Those ranked SEC teams are (AP ranking; coaches’ ranking): Alabama (No. 1 in both), Texas A&M (No. 6 in both), Florida (No. 15, No. 12), Arkansas (No. 17 in both), Tennessee (No. 18, No. 19), Mississippi (No. 23, No. 22) - still ranked despite being 3-3!, LSU (No. 25, No. 23), and Auburn (No. 21, No. 24).

Florida has three opponents who are currently ranked remaining on their schedule. Two-loss Arkansas is up to No. 17 in both polls after their victory over Ole Miss. Florida State inched back up to No. 15 in the coaches’ poll and No. 13 in the AP poll. LSU, who reentered the coaches’ poll after their shutdown win over Missouri two weeks ago, is at No. 23 in the coaches’ poll, and re-entered the AP poll at No. 25 after defeating Southern Miss yesterday.