Florida returns to ESPN’s top 25 power rankings after win at Texas
The Gators enter ESPN’s latest college football power rankings at No. 21 after a 27-24 road win, while Texas falls from No. 10 to No. 22.
Florida entered ESPN’s college football power rankings at No. 21 on October 19 after a 27-24 road win at Texas, giving the Gators a place in the outlet’s top 25 after being unranked. Texas fell from No. 10 to No. 22 on the same list.
The ranking is the latest consequence of Florida’s win over Texas, which Gators Wire reported was the team’s second victory over a top-10 opponent this season. ESPN’s list reflects its assessment of the teams after Week 7; the Gators’ rise and the Longhorns’ fall describe movement within that list.
How Florida beat Texas
ESPN pointed to a defensive performance that contrasted with Florida’s No. 110 defensive ranking. The Gators held Texas to 272 total yards and sacked Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning five times on the road, according to ESPN’s account of the game.
Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. made his first career start for Florida in place of the injured Aaron Philo. Jones threw two touchdown passes to tight end Lacota Dippre and kept drives alive during the second half as the Gators came back to take the lead, ESPN reported.
The result followed consecutive Florida losses to Missouri and South Carolina, making the Texas game a change in direction for Jon Sumrall’s team. Gators Wire reported that the win also took Florida past its total number of victories from last season.
Florida’s next game against Georgia
Florida has a bye week before facing Georgia in Atlanta on October 31, Gators Wire reported. ESPN placed Georgia at No. 4 in the same power rankings, setting up another game against a highly ranked opponent for the Gators after their win in Texas.
Georgia’s position also changed amid an unsettled week near the top of college football: Gators Wire reported that five of the previous top seven teams lost in Week 7. That turnover provides context for Florida’s return to the top 25, while the No. 21 ranking identifies where ESPN placed the Gators after this particular round of games.
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Sources and context
- Florida returns to ESPN power top 25 rankings after upsetting TexasGators Wire (republished by Yahoo Sports)
- College football Power Rankings: How a wild Week 7 changed top 25ESPN
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.