A group of Gators defensive backs strike a pose during Saturday's home win over Southeastern Conference rival Auburn. (Photo: Kelly Chase/UAA Communications)
Win Over Auburn Boosts Gators in Polls
Sunday, October 6, 2019 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Safety Shawn Davis was asked following Saturday's win over Auburn if the Gators feel respect has come slow this season.
The undefeated Gators entered Saturday's top-10 matchup as a slight home underdog. Davis is agreeable to that line of thinking.
"So we just gonna make them respect us,'' he said.
The Gators (6-0, 3-0) took a step in the right direction with a 24-13 win over seventh-ranked Auburn (5-1, 2-1) at a sold-out Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. As a result, Florida moved up in both national polls Sunday.
In the Associated Press Top 25, the Gators jumped Wisconsin and Notre Dame to move from 10th to seventh. It's Florida's highest standing in the national media poll this season.
The Gators climbed one spot to seventh in the Amway Coaches Poll, also their highest position. The Gators were ranked No. 8 by the coaches a week ago.
Meanwhile, Auburn fell from seventh to No. 12, the five-spot drop the largest in the coaches poll.
Florida faces its next test on Saturday when it travels to No. 6 LSU (5-0, 2-0) for the first time since 2016. The Gators have won 10 consecutive games and beat the Tigers at home, 27-19, a season ago.
In their last trip to Baton Rouge, the Gators upset LSU and clinched the SEC East title. Dan Mullen was coach at Mississippi State then.
In preparation for his first trip to LSU as Florida's head coach, Mullen seeks a team that is ready to build off the victory over Auburn, not be satisfied from it.
"We're going to turn on that film on Monday and go watch LSU and know we've got to head to Death Valley and say, 'If we want to be [back among the elite], go do it.' It's up to the guys in this room,'' Mullen said. "When we get in here on Monday morning, the guys in this room will make that decision if we want to be there or not. If this year's team is going to be the team that's ready for us to be there."
The undefeated Gators entered Saturday's top-10 matchup as a slight home underdog. Davis is agreeable to that line of thinking.
"So we just gonna make them respect us,'' he said.
The Gators (6-0, 3-0) took a step in the right direction with a 24-13 win over seventh-ranked Auburn (5-1, 2-1) at a sold-out Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. As a result, Florida moved up in both national polls Sunday.
In the Associated Press Top 25, the Gators jumped Wisconsin and Notre Dame to move from 10th to seventh. It's Florida's highest standing in the national media poll this season.
The Gators climbed one spot to seventh in the Amway Coaches Poll, also their highest position. The Gators were ranked No. 8 by the coaches a week ago.
POLL ALERT: Ohio State and Georgia now tied at No. 3 in Top 25 poll presented by @askRegions. Florida climbs to No. 7, Penn State into top 10; Baylor, Memphis, Cincinnati in.
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) October 6, 2019
Full poll: https://t.co/DWCBw9xytP
More AP college football: https://t.co/lyS9Elfx0c pic.twitter.com/cVh1arPz6m
Meanwhile, Auburn fell from seventh to No. 12, the five-spot drop the largest in the coaches poll.
Florida faces its next test on Saturday when it travels to No. 6 LSU (5-0, 2-0) for the first time since 2016. The Gators have won 10 consecutive games and beat the Tigers at home, 27-19, a season ago.
In their last trip to Baton Rouge, the Gators upset LSU and clinched the SEC East title. Dan Mullen was coach at Mississippi State then.
In preparation for his first trip to LSU as Florida's head coach, Mullen seeks a team that is ready to build off the victory over Auburn, not be satisfied from it.
"We're going to turn on that film on Monday and go watch LSU and know we've got to head to Death Valley and say, 'If we want to be [back among the elite], go do it.' It's up to the guys in this room,'' Mullen said. "When we get in here on Monday morning, the guys in this room will make that decision if we want to be there or not. If this year's team is going to be the team that's ready for us to be there."
Players Mentioned
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