Billy Napier may have scored the biggest — or at least, most important — win of his nearly three-year tenure as head coach of the Florida football program last Saturday with an epic 27-16 upset of the LSU Tigers in the Swamp.
It took a total team effort, but in the end, the Gators prevailed to win their fifth game this fall. Now with two games remaining, the prospect of a bowl bid is becoming a more likely reality than a few weeks ago.
Following last weekend’s gridiron action, USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg submitted his re-ranking of all 134 Football Bowl Subdivision schools. Here is how the Orange and Blue fared.
Florida’s re-rank after Week 12
Myerberg boosted the Gators 14 spots after the Week 12 dust settled, moving up from No. 57 to No. 43 and putting Florida between the No. 42 Michigan Wolverines and No. 44 Oklahoma Sooners.
Billy Napier and Co. are now ahead of five Southeastern Conference schools in the rankings: Oklahoma (No. 44); the Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 46); Kentucky Wildcats (No. 77); Auburn Tigers (No. 92); Mississippi State Bulldogs (No. 108).
USA TODAY Sports Week 12 re-rank top 10
The Oregon Ducks remained in the top perch this week while the Ohio State Buckeyes, Texas Longhorns and Penn State Nittany Lions held onto the second, third and fourth spots, respectively. The Indiana Hoosiers moved up two positions to take the No. 5 ranking.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish stood strong at No. 6, followed by the Alabama Crimson Tide, Ole Miss Rebels, Georgia Bulldogs and Miami Hurricanes, respectively, to wrap up the top 10.
Up next for the Gators
The Gators play their final home game of the season against the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, Nov. 23. Kickoff is set for noon ET and will be broadcast on ABC.
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