Florida football: How the Gators’ 2019 opponents fared in week 4

Florida football took another step toward setting up an unbeaten showdown with Auburn in two weeks.

The Gators’ dominant effort against Tennessee won’t do much for them nationally, but quarterback Kyle Trask and the defense showed that this team is capable of big things in 2019.

Jimmy Mac gave Miami a scare.

Kentucky came back to Earth and was handled on the road by Mississippi State.

Auburn and Georgia were the big winners on the weekend, knocking off A&M and Notre Dame respectively.

LSU put on another good show at Vandy.

Mizzou rode its defense and will keep the Mayor’s Cup at home in the battle of the Columbias.

Florida State faced their demons and overcame a potential second-half collapse.

Past opponents – helping or hurting Strength of Schedule (SOS)?

Miami (2-2), W 17-12 vs Central Michigan

Jim McElwain’s Chippewas hung around all night and made the Canes defense work til the very end. The stat lines favored Miami, but each team had remarkably similar performances: passing yards – UM 250, CMU 217 and rushing yards – UM 51, CMU 31. This is the same Central Michigan squad that lost 61-0 just two Saturdays ago in Madison against the Badgers. Up next is a big three-game ACC homestretch for Miami against Va Tech, UVA, and Georgia Tech. Win out and the Canes should control their own destiny in the ACC Coastal.
Next game: vs Virginia Tech
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Helping – chalk this up in the “a win is a win” category and move on. Miami has a big home game against UVA in two weeks that should set the tone for the rest of the season.

UT-Martin (1-2), Bye

The Skyhawks took the week off but will look to bounce back from a 28-14 loss at Southern Illinois on September 14.
Next game: vs Murray State
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Hurting – FCS opponent – perception won’t change throughout the year.

Kentucky (2-2, 0-2 SEC), L 28-13 at Mississippi State

An opening pick-six by Mississippi state would ensure that Kentucky would play from behind all day. The Cats fought back and made it competitive in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs put the game away late.
Next game: at South Carolina
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Hurting – the Bulldogs dusted Kentucky in the manner in which the Gators were expected to beat the Wildcats.

Tennessee (1-3, 0-1 SEC), L 34-3 at #9 Florida

As expected, Tennessee was a mess on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Gators QB Kyle Trask had his way with the Vols defense and life will only continue to get tougher for Pruitt during an October stretch of Georgia, Mississippi State, Alabama, and South Carolina. Tennessee needs to continue to commit to a youth movement as a bowl bid is looking very unlikely at this point.

Next game: vs #3 Georgia
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Hurting – it’s always nice to beat Tennessee, but this win will not bolster the Gators’ strength of schedule argument on the national level.

Next up for the Gators

Towson (3-1), L 52-45 vs Villanova

The FCS #5 Tigers dropped their first contest of the season to undefeated FCS #18 Villanova in a high-scoring overtime thriller. Towson QB Tom Flacco put up big numbers with 21-42 passing for 304 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Flacco also added 110 yards on the ground and one rushing touchdown for the Tigers. Florida is set to host Towson at 4:00 PM ET on Saturday in The Swamp.
Next game: at #9 Florida, 4:00 PM ET SECN

#8 Auburn (4-0, 1-0 SEC), W 28-20 at #17 Texas A&M

The Tigers are unbeaten against the Aggies at Kyle Field since A&M joined the SEC. This was a golden opportunity for Fisher and Texas A&M to take the next step and prove they can take care of business at home in a toss-up game, but this scrappy Auburn team found a way to control the game despite only passing for 106 total yards on the day. If the Tigers take care of Mississippi State at home this Saturday, Gainesville could be a strong candidate to host College GameDay for a battle of unbeatens.
Next game: vs Mississippi State

#4 LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC), W 66-38 at Vanderbilt

QB Joe Burrow is becoming entrenched as the Heisman front-runner after tossing a school-record six touchdowns on Saturday at Vandy. The senior standout racked up 357-yards passing…before halftime and finished with 398-yards passing on the day. LSU is rolling and Florida’s October 12 road trip to Death Valley looks to be the toughest test on the schedule in 2019.
Next game: Bye (vs Utah State 10/5)

South Carolina (1-3, 0-2 SEC), L 34-14 at Missouri

Down 24-14 in the third quarter, a USC drive inside of the Mizzou 5-yard line was derailed by a 100-yard pick-six for the Tigers. Carolina QB Ryan Hilinski struggled on the day, going 13-30 with only 166-yards passing, one touchdown, and one interception. Cocks QB Dakereon Joyner saw some playing time in this one as well. Both quarterbacks were offered no support by a rushing attack that posted 16 total yards on the day. Preseason expectations were low due to a brutal schedule and 2019 is shaping up to be a lost season for the Gamecocks.
Next game: vs Kentucky

#3 Georgia (4-0, 1-0 SEC), W 23-17 vs #7 Notre Dame

Much to the surprise of every SEC fan, the Irish hung around in this one. The Bulldogs did not score until right before the half and Notre Dame took a 10-7 lead into the locker room. Overall, both defenses put up strong performances. Two major differences in the game:

1. Georgia held Notre Dame to only 46 yards rushing on the night.
2. UGA turned two second-half Irish turnovers into two field goals.

Notre Dame earned some respect back after last season’s playoff disaster against Clemson. The Irish should be favorites in each game for the remainder of the season and, despite the loss, this game will likely help their resume.
Next game: Bye (at Tennessee 10/5)

Vanderbilt (0-3, 0-2 SEC), L 66-38 vs #4 LSU

The ‘Dores jumped out to a 7-0 lead in this one before giving up 28 consecutive first-quarter points. Vandy RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn was a bright spot on the day for the offense, rushing for 130 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns. Vanderbilt’s brutal opening stretch is over and the Commodores have a good chance to get back to .500 over the next three games against Northern Illinois, Ole Miss, and UNLV.
Next game: vs Northern Illinois

Missouri (3-1, 1-0 SEC) W 34-14 vs South Carolina

In what is sure to go down as one of the weirdest plays in college football this season, Missouri scored the first of two defensive touchdowns on the day off of a batted pass that was caught then thrown back into the end zone by USC QB Ryan Hilinski. Since the failed attempt to bat the ball down went backwards, it was considered a fumble. See the play here:

"“I could tell he had possession and actually made an effort to throw it down, and then it happened to be backwards. I got on it. That’s what we’re coached to do anyway when it’s on the ground, so it all makes sense.”– Missouri senior LB Cale Garrett via ESPN.com"

Next game: Bye (vs Troy 10/5)

Florida State (2-2), W 35-24 vs Louisville

Once again, FSU gave up a first-half lead in the second half, this time blowing a 21-0 start. However, the Noles did bounce back in the fourth quarter for two scores to secure their first ACC win of the season over an improved Cardinals squad. According to Noles 247, FSU QB James Blackmon suffered an MCL sprain in his left knee meaning Wisconsin transfer QB Alex Hornibrook should see more action in the coming weeks.

Next game: vs North Carolina State

Florida will play host to Towson in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday at 4:00 PM ET on the SEC Network.