Gators storm to #8 in AP Top 25; FSU at #11

Clearly, for Florida the next two against LSU and Georgia games loom huge in the Gators return to the SEC elite teams.

Lock didn’t play like a hyped, stud freshman against Florida. They picked the Gators to finish well back in the Eastern Division race, partly because of the line’s problems. Harbaugh graded the whole effort on defense an “A-plus-plus”. “But now I really see that everything that he says, it carries over from football to life”, Tabor said. Along the defensive line, true freshman CeCe Jefferson, a five-star recruit in the 2015 class, has been a beast in the pass rush. “All three phases were at the highest levels”.

“It’s been one of those nights”, SEC Network commentator Jesse Palmer said after Nate Brown dropped what would’ve been a big Lock pass in the third quarter. The Missouri offense stalled, however, and after Lock almost gifted Florida an interception, kicker Andrew Baggett converted from 21 yards out to pull the Tigers within 7-3.

After knocking off Missouri 21-3 on Saturday, the Gators are 6-0, the first Southeastern Conference team bowl eligible and primed for a spot in the conference championship game for the first time since 2009.

Florida plays at Missouri (4-1, 1-1) on Saturday night.

While other big-name schools already falling out of contention for the College Football Playoff (Auburn, Oregon, USC), the Jimmys have their first-year teams looking like playoff contenders. Did you see that? Tennessee doesn’t have a receiver with more than 157 yards receiving.

No. 11 Florida has chance to go to 6-0.

As the Gator OL and young QB improve, you can be sure that McElwain will continue to add different variations to his offense and find ways to plug in Floridian skill players around them in ways that opponents will not enjoy. Amusing how one week changes everything.

Florida’s defense never allowed Missouri’s offense to settle into a rhythm. Now, let’s let Strong do his job in peace. The Aggies missed on two field goal attempts. It missed; the Huskies ran out the clock.

“You’re supposed to do that”, McElwain said.

I could go on here, and I could act like I know for certain how good Florida might be at this point in the season, but I’ll be honest: I really have no idea.

“I thought we started a little bit rough in terms of our rhythm, but I think we regained that”, coach Becky Burleigh said. Oh, and his team lost a heartbreaker. “We have to get back to where we used to be”. “That’s all media bull…”

The UNDER is 5-0 in Mizzou’s past five games. McCarney exits with a record of 22-32 at the school. These are pretty much the same players Will Muschamp had. Georgia’s Nick Chubb has rushed for at least 100 yards in 13 straight games…. Earlier in the week, West Virginia safety Karl Joseph, playing at an All-American level, suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice.

They are, after all, the reigning two-time SEC East champ. Hard to believe, except … The Gators’ defense – second in the SEC in sacks entering Saturday – was credited with three sacks, but hurried Lock five more times and hit him often throughout the game.

“I’m honestly not surprised at all”, Halter said. His list of long plays now includes an 87-yard touchdown run against South Carolina. He’s making this a two-man Heisman race, with 301 passing yards and 124 rushing yards in the win at Kansas State.

McCallister, and linebackers Antonio Morrison and Jarrad Davis are all tied for eighth in the SEC in tackles for a loss, with 6.5. This week’s game vs. Alabama provides another showcase.

Without that goal looming, this season turns into more of a rare rebuilding year for Gary Pinkel. “This guy’s maybe as good as anyone who’s played the position”. Voltz impressed with his recognition, stout anchor and agility.

From there, though, the Tigers’ passing game struggled to sustain drives.

Grier has completed 86 of 128 passes for 966 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.