Defensive back Tre'Vez Johnson reacts to a play in Saturday's game against Alabama at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Photo: Anissa Dimilta/UAA Communications)
Poll Watch: Gators Hold Steady, No. 11 in Both Major Polls
Sunday, September 19, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Gators held steady in the AP Top 25 on Sunday after losing 31-29 to No. 1-ranked Alabama.
Florida remained at No. 11 and is the third-highest ranked one-loss team in the poll behind No. 9 Clemson and No. 10 Ohio State.
Alabama stayed at No. 1 after beating an SEC East rival for the 32nd consecutive time.
For the Gators, Saturday's loss in front of 90,887 fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium provided a confidence boost that they are close to beating the Crimson Tide, setting up what could be an interesting rematch later this season should the teams advance to the SEC Championship Game in December. Florida has lost to Alabama by a combined eight points in two of its last four games dating back to last season's SEC Championship.
"The guys didn't flinch,'' head coach Dan Mullen said after the Gators nearly erased a 21-3 first-quarter deficit. "They kept battling and battling and battling. I'm really excited to see how we come out Monday because we need to build off this."
Meanwhile, in the USA Today/AFCA Coaches Poll, Florida's two-point loss dropped the Gators from ninth to 11th.
The Gators are the second-highest ranked one-loss team according to the coaches, behind No. 7 Clemson.
Florida returns to action on Saturday night when Tennessee visits "The Swamp." The Vols, in their first season under head coach Josh Heupel, defeated Tennessee Tech 56-0 at Neyland Stadium on Saturday to improve to 2-1.
Florida remained at No. 11 and is the third-highest ranked one-loss team in the poll behind No. 9 Clemson and No. 10 Ohio State.
Alabama stayed at No. 1 after beating an SEC East rival for the 32nd consecutive time.
For the Gators, Saturday's loss in front of 90,887 fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium provided a confidence boost that they are close to beating the Crimson Tide, setting up what could be an interesting rematch later this season should the teams advance to the SEC Championship Game in December. Florida has lost to Alabama by a combined eight points in two of its last four games dating back to last season's SEC Championship.
"The guys didn't flinch,'' head coach Dan Mullen said after the Gators nearly erased a 21-3 first-quarter deficit. "They kept battling and battling and battling. I'm really excited to see how we come out Monday because we need to build off this."
POLL ALERT: Clemson, Ohio State slip after weekend when lots of ranked teams had issues; Penn State jumps to No. 6.
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) September 19, 2021
Full poll presented by @askRegions >> https://t.co/gB26LaaZz5 pic.twitter.com/kfYUMyytKl
Meanwhile, in the USA Today/AFCA Coaches Poll, Florida's two-point loss dropped the Gators from ninth to 11th.
The Gators are the second-highest ranked one-loss team according to the coaches, behind No. 7 Clemson.
Florida returns to action on Saturday night when Tennessee visits "The Swamp." The Vols, in their first season under head coach Josh Heupel, defeated Tennessee Tech 56-0 at Neyland Stadium on Saturday to improve to 2-1.
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