Florida’s regular season-ending loss to Florida State didn’t do the Gators any favors in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, and UF finished the regular season without any support from the voters.
A 6-6 finish warrants such a response from the coaches that vote in the poll, but it’s hard not to wonder what Florida could have done if a few games had gone the other way. Four of UF’s six losses came against teams currently ranked in the top 15: No. 1 Georgia by 22, No. 8 Tennessee by five, No. 13 LSU by 10 and No. 14 Florida State by seven. The loss to Kentucky has aged poorly and falling to Vanderbilt was the kiss of death for the program, but Florida had plenty of quality losses this season.
Then there are the quality wins to consider. Florida’s season-opening win against Utah remains the team’s best victory of the season. The Utes have had a firm grasp on a ranked spot since then and currently sit at No. 12 on the Coaches Poll as they prepare to face USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Beating South Carolina also ended up being a good win for Florida. The Gamecocks took down Tennessee and Clemson in back-to-back weeks and are ranked No. 20 to end the regular season.
Had Florida figured things out against Kentucky and gotten the job done against Vanderbilt, the team could be looking at a top-20 ranking. Instead, they’ll play in a minor bowl game that the fan base won’t be too excited for (see 2021 Gasparilla Bowl).
It’s an unfortunate end to what was really a season of growth for this Florida team under Billy Napier. There’s plenty to look forward to in year two of the Napier era, but right now it’s understandable for Gator Nation to be frustrated.
Here’s a look at the poll in its entirety.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 1
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 3
Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 4
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 5
Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
Last Week: No. 2
Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 7
Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK
Last Week: No. 10
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
Last Week: No. 11
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 12
Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 13
Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 8
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 14
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 6
Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK
Last Week: No. 16
Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
Last Week: No. 9
© Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
Last Week: No. 22
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 18
Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
Last Week: No. 20
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 15
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: NR
Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 24
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 17
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: NR
John Gutierrez-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: No. 25
Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: NR
Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
No. 19 Mississippi; No. 21 Cincinnati; No. 23 Coastal Carolina.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!
Sign up for the Gators Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning
Wisconsin transfer quarterback Graham Mertz was a surprise visitor this weekend in the Swamp.
The Gators may be losing a good chunk of talent to the transfer portal, but Billy Napier is already bringing in players to restock the (…)
The Gators are hosting a ton of recruits on official visits this weekend. Here are the ones who have checked in from the Swamp.
© Copyright Gators Wire 2022
Powered by WordPress.com VIP
Please enter an email address.
Thanks for signing up.
Please check your email for a confirmation.
Something went wrong.