College football rankings: Florida Gators move up in AP Top 25, make Coaches Poll debut this season

Football

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Image Credit: UAA

Coming off a disappointing win inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the Florida Gators became an unanimous entry in the college football rankings for the first time this season. Florida’s 22-7 victory over Charlotte left a lot to be desired, but it did not stop voters from giving the Gators more respect when it came to their rankings.

Florida moved up three spots to No. 22 in the AP Top 25, gaining 132 points. The Gators also debuted at No. 23 in the Coaches Poll, gaining 93 points after finishing 29th among teams receiving votes last week.

UF is 1-1 against AP Top 25 opponents this season with a loss to Utah (previously ranked No. 7) to open the campaign and a win over Tennessee (previously ranked No. 11). Under head coach Billy Napier, the Gators are 2-6 against ranked teams, concluding the 2022 season with five straight such losses after knocking off Utah in Napier’s first game wearing orange and blue.

Georgia kept its hold on the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25, receiving 55 of 63 first-place votes, while Ohio State jumped Florida State for No. 4 in those rankings. The Bulldogs also received 62 of 64 first-place votes in the Coaches Poll, but the Seminoles remain ahead of the Buckeyes behind UGA and Michigan.

Florida, which entered the season with the nation’s toughest schedule, is set to face three more AP Top 25 teams before the season is out: No. 1 Georgia, No. 5 Florida State, No. 13 LSU.

AP Top 25

1. Georgia (55)
2. Michigan (1)
3. Texas (2)
4. Ohio State (1)
5. Florida State (3)
6. Penn State
7. Washington (1)
8. USC
9. Oregon
10. Utah
11. Notre Dame
12. Alabama
13. LSU
14. Oklahoma
15. North Carolina
16. Washington State
17. Duke
18. Miami
19. Oregon State
20. Ole Miss
21. Tennessee
25. Florida
23. Missouri
24. Kansas
25. Fresno State

Coaches Poll

1. Georgia (61)
2. Michigan
3. Ohio State (2)
4. Florida State
5. Texas
6. USC
7. Penn State
8. Washington
9. Oregon
10. Utah
11. Alabama
12. LSU
13. Notre Dame
14. Oklahoma
15. North Carolina
16. Duke
17. Washington State
18. Miami
19. Tennessee
20. Ole Miss
21. Oregon State
22. Missouri
23. Florida
24. Kansas
25. Kansas State State