ESPN analyst Greg McElroy believes Florida should be in top 4 of CFP rankings
In the first edition of this season’s College Football Playoff rankings, Florida was at No. 6. That would leave the Gators out of the four-team field that currently has only one SEC team in it (Alabama).
On Tuesday, the updated CFP rankings will be released. And ESPN analyst Greg McElroy believes Florida should be on the rise, which he explained during an appearance on SportsCenter.
“Florida withstood what was a decent effort from Kentucky early on, and eventually, they pulled away. I didn’t think they had anywhere near their best performance,” McElroy said on the show (h/t Riley Gates of 247Sports.com). “But what they did as opposed to the other two teams you would consider ranking in the 4 spot — those two teams being Texas A&M and Ohio State — they played, and they played relatively well. I would, actually, this week move Florida into the top four. Move Ohio State and Texas A&M back after missing a game and, obviously, a disappointing performance against LSU.”
Florida beat Kentucky, 34-10, to improve to 7-1 and extend its winning streak to five. Meanwhile, Ohio State didn’t play due to positive COVID-19 tests, while Texas A&M beat LSU, 20-7. In the first CFP rankings, the Buckeyes were at No. 4 followed by the Aggies at No. 5.
The Gators have two regular-season games remaining (at Tennessee on Saturday and vs. LSU on Dec. 12) before they likely advance to the SEC Championship Game for a probable matchup against Alabama. If Florida wins the SEC title, it would certainly reach the College Football Playoff.
But if McIlroy is right, the Gators could potentially move into the top four of the rankings before then.
After Tuesday’s CFP rankings reveal, Florida will look to keep its momentum going when it faces Tennessee on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
Gators should certainly be in the mix. Y’all have excelled against a sufficiently rigorous schedule to be considered already. We still need to see THE ohio state tested better. Beat Alabama in the SEC title game, you’re in. No question. Loose to Alabama and it’s in ohio states hands.
Agreed Rico, rankings don’t really matter right now. If we will out we’ll be ranked where we’re supposed to be. If not, it’s been a great season under Mullen again.
They must beat Bama to get in the playoff. The committee would take a one loss A&M team over a two loss UF team. They don’t want the outrage that would result from electing a two loss SEC non-conference champion team to the playoff.
The Gators look exceptionally good this season and the Kyles can flat out play. They should be in the CFP mix.
The SECCG will be fun to watch!
Go DAWGS!
At this point in the season I would agree that UF should occupy the 4th slot. TAMU fans probably wouldn’t agree.
How does that make any sense? TAMU beat UF head to head, they deserve the higher spot.
JMO. Means nothing. I just think UF is a better team at this point.
Head to head means nothing? UF had their shot and lost. UF must win out including the SECCG to get in the playoff. They’re not getting in with two losses over a one loss A&M team who beat them straight up. Ain’t gonna happen.
Also you have to consider how we lost. We were driving into field goal range with one of the best kickers in the country to win the game and then Davis fumbled. We were shredded on the ground in that game and did not deserve to win but if we play A&M 10 times we would win 8 of em.
I don’t disagree That at this point in the season, Florida is the better team, but the games have to mean something. A&M has one loss to Bama. Florida has one loss to A&M. The rankings are as they should be especially when you account for the fact that it really doesn’t matter right now. If Florida beats Bama, they are in and rightfully so. Typically if you just play the games this stuff has a way of working out.
UF should be at #5. Our defense hasn’t played a solid four quarters yet. However, at the beginning of this season we were predicted to lose 3 games by a majority of the prognosticators. Our offense is better than I thought they could be. I’m most impressed with our offensive line and they have had a lot to do with our success.
You said: “UF should be at #5”
You said: “Our defense hasn’t played a solid four quarters yet”
How are you going to square that circle?
Agreed Waycross. I’m happy to see that we haven’t played a complete game yet and sit at 6th. That’s where we deserve to be with a clear path, and no “what if” BS scenario to the playoff. I HOPE the defense peaks at the right time, and I honestly think CDM is holding the offense back right now. No way we deserve to be ranked 4th from what we have seen so far.
Cross, if you don’t understand the post, I can’t help you.
Both things can be true.
By this point in the year if they haven’t played a solid 4 quarters it aon’t gonna happen. Especially against Bama. 3rd and Grantham. Hell Bama won’t even need third downs.
And we still spanked Georgia by a lot. The team with the most talent in the country. Imagine if we put a full game together against them
Same number of losses and the team in front won the head to head. Like I said, I feel that right now, the Gators are the better team, however the games matter.
having said that, the difference in Florida vs A&M’s rankings really doesn’t matter. Win out, beat Bama and Florida is a one loss SEC champion which rightfully gets them in over A&M (and probably any other one loss playoff teams).
And as to squaring the circle, we are talking number 5, not number 1. Anyone below one or two has some question marks. Can the Gators D play well enough to let their offense beat a playoff team? that is their question mark. It will get answered one way or another in Atlanta assuming something crazy doesnt happen in their final 2 games. They control their destiny. A&M does not. Who’s shoes would you rather be in?
Honestly does it matter whose ranked higher in UF and A&M
The rankings are a joke each season. It’s a simple game, really. The perennial favorites – Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, etc. – get over-ranked in preseason, and then the weak teams they play get over-ranked too, so when the perennial favorites beat them, they get to maintain their artificially high rankings (e.g., Notre Dame’s recent win over “19” North Carolina).
Is that the North Carolina that lost to Florida State?
JTF, I thought UNC would be good with the QB they have. But their defense is woeful
It really doesnt matter, we all know what happens if UF handles their business. Personally dont care if they are 4 or 6 right now! and we dont have to listen to AM cry if UF was ahead of them!