Gators rise to No. 3 in AP Top 25
The Florida Gators rose two spots to No. 3 in the Associated Press Top 25, their highest ranking since the 2012 season.
Coach Dan Mullen’s squad, also ranked No. 3 in the latest coaches poll, leapfrogged Georgia to reach No. 3 for the first time since October of 2012. The Bulldogs, the three-time reigning SEC East champions, are No. 4 in both polls.
UF opened the 2020 season with a 51-35 win at Ole Miss behind six touchdown passes from Kyle Trask, including four to tight end Kyle Pitts, as the Gators totaled 642 yards - a school record during an SEC game.
Following the game, Mullen was quick to acknowledge much work that lies ahead for his team.
Ole Miss behind first-year coach Lane Kiffin gained 613 yards, including 443 passing, leaving the Gators ranked 70th of 72 teams nationally in pass defense.
The Gators host South Carolina at noon Saturday in the Swamp. Coming off a 31-27 loss to Tennessee, the Gamecocks are in their fifth season under coach Will Muschamp, the Gators coach in 2012 when the program reached No. 3 for two weeks until losing to Georgia.
Two Power 5 conferences - the Big Ten and Pac-12 - have not kicked off their seasons due to the coronavirus pandemic and are not yet being considered in the national polls.
———
©2020 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.)
Visit The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) at www.OrlandoSentinel.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
