It would be great for the SEC to have Florida return to prominence.

The Gators are one of the conference’s power programs. The Gators’ struggles since Urban Meyer left are a big part of the weak perception of the SEC East.

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So the conference should rejoice that the Gators are 10-1 and playing in the SEC Championship Game, right?

Yes. If the Gators were truly back. But that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Instead, Florida’s 10-1 record is perceived as just another indication that the East Division is weak. The Gators’ game Saturday against Florida State and their performances in the SEC title game and the Playoff or bowl game that follows could either change the perception or add to it.

Though the Gators won Saturday against FAU, they dropped two spots in the AP Poll and remained behind Ohio State and Oklahoma State, two teams that lost.

And with good reason. The 2015 Gators can’t compare with Steve Spurrier’s Fun ‘n’ Gun teams that won six SEC titles in 11 years — seven in 12, if you count the ineligible 1990 team — and a national championship, or Meyer’s two national title teams.

Division champions shouldn’t have narrow escapes on their home field late in the season against Vanderbilt and Florida Atlantic.

Since losing Will Grier to PED suspension, the Gators have averaged only 20.4 points per game in regulation time.

But that’s deceiving. At Tiger Stadium, the Gators scored one touchdown on a punt return and another after taking over on the LSU 13. Against Georgia, they scored on a fumble recovery and a 5-yard drive. On Saturday, they took over on the FAU 2-yard-line while scoring one of only two TDs.

What you’re left with is a horrible offense — one that combined for 23 points in regulation time against Vanderbilt and FAU.

The Gators’ 10-1 record is great for the Florida program. Jim McElwain obviously has the Gators on the right track. They’re on the way back.

But they’re not there yet. By winning the East, the Gators have shown that the division has a long way to go.