Florida football kicked off the Jon Sumrall era with an absolute statement, dropping a 45-point thrashing on FAU last Saturday right there in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. That kind of Week 1 dominance had everyone talking and immediately launched the Gators into Athlon Sports’ first regular-season re-rank, landing them squarely at No. 25. Talk about making an entrance! They’re sitting just behind 24th-ranked Iowa and a step ahead of South Carolina, who barely missed the cut at No. 26.
The SEC Just Flexed Hard in Week 1
What’s wild is Florida isn’t alone in lighting it up. The entire Southeastern Conference saw every single member school emerge victorious in Week 1. That hasn’t happened since 1997, which is just insane to think about. This conference means business, and they proved it right out of the gate. We’re talking nine SEC teams landing in the Athlon top 25, with South Carolina at No. 26 and Missouri at No. 27 just missing the cut. The talent in this league is off the charts!
Leading the charge for the SEC is Georgia at No. 2, with Texas right on their heels at No. 3. Then you’ve got LSU (No. 8), Oklahoma (No. 9), and Texas A&M (No. 10) rounding out the top ten. It’s a who’s who of college football powerhouses. Beyond that, Ole Miss is at No. 11, Alabama is sitting at No. 14, and Tennessee is holding strong at No. 20. So, when Florida rolls in at No. 25, it tells you a lot about the company they’re keeping and the respect that 45-point win commanded.
What’s Next for Sumrall and Co.?
Now, the Gators get a chance to keep that momentum rolling before things get really gnarly. This Saturday, September 12, they’re back in the Swamp to face an FCS opponent, the Campbell Fighting Camels. Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. ET, and you can catch it on the SEC Network+. This is the kind of game where you fine-tune everything before the real battles begin. After Campbell, the SEC schedule looms large, and trust me, that’s where the rubber truly meets the road. Sumrall has his squad looking sharp early, and we’re all looking forward to seeing what they do when the conference play starts heating up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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