Gators quarterback Graham Mertz eyes a pass during Saturday's win over Tennessee at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Photo: Molly Kaiser/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Gators Make Their Return to AP Top 25
Monday, September 18, 2023 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The last time the Gators were ranked in the AP Top 25 was last season's game at Tennessee. The 20th-ranked Gators lost and dropped from the national polls the rest of the season.
Florida's 29-16 victory over the Vols on Saturday at "The Swamp" put them back into the national rankings. The Gators entered the AP Top 25 on Sunday, ranked No. 25 heading into this week's home game against Charlotte.
Gators head coach Billy Napier needed only one game at Florida to enter the rankings. Unranked at the start of his first season, Florida's upset of No. 7 Utah in the 2022 season opener boosted Florida to No. 12 in the national polls.
However, the Gators lost to Kentucky the following week and started to drop, eventually falling out for good after the 38-33 loss to Tennessee at Neyland Stadium.
The Gators seek to move in the opposite direction in 2023, starting Saturday night when Charlotte visits.
The Gators won their SEC opener for the first time since 2020 as they thumped Tennessee for the 10th consecutive time at home.
"I'm proud of the players," Napier said following Saturday's win. "You know, you go back a couple weeks ago, we went to Utah, [and] we did not play our best football. There was no finger pointing. I didn't hear one guy in that locker room complain or make an excuse. They took ownership and ultimately responded the right way. And we've been working ever since."
Florida's 29-16 victory over the Vols on Saturday at "The Swamp" put them back into the national rankings. The Gators entered the AP Top 25 on Sunday, ranked No. 25 heading into this week's home game against Charlotte.
Gators head coach Billy Napier needed only one game at Florida to enter the rankings. Unranked at the start of his first season, Florida's upset of No. 7 Utah in the 2022 season opener boosted Florida to No. 12 in the national polls.
However, the Gators lost to Kentucky the following week and started to drop, eventually falling out for good after the 38-33 loss to Tennessee at Neyland Stadium.
The Gators seek to move in the opposite direction in 2023, starting Saturday night when Charlotte visits.
The Gators won their SEC opener for the first time since 2020 as they thumped Tennessee for the 10th consecutive time at home.
"I'm proud of the players," Napier said following Saturday's win. "You know, you go back a couple weeks ago, we went to Utah, [and] we did not play our best football. There was no finger pointing. I didn't hear one guy in that locker room complain or make an excuse. They took ownership and ultimately responded the right way. And we've been working ever since."
The Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles and Miami Hurricanes are all ranked in the top 25 for the first time since 2017. https://t.co/I4wYb2LREb
— FOX29WFLX (@FOX29WFLX) September 17, 2023
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