Florida football: How the Gators’ 2019 opponents fared in week 6

Florida football put on a show in the best environment in college football this past Saturday.

The Swamp was alive and a win against Auburn kicks off a critical stretch for a Gators team that is starting to remind me a bit of the 2006 national championship team led by a steady QB Chris Leak and a dominant defensive front.

Quick summary

As we hit the part of the week where the glow of the Auburn win starts to wane and our attention starts turns toward LSU, let’s take a moment to appreciate how far Mullen has brought this program in a year-and-a-half.

The Gators offense did its part against a talented Auburn front despite a couple of super-human moments from DT Derrick Brown and a brief injury (that looked much worse than it was) to starting QB Kyle Trask.

Two years ago, an injury to Florida’s starting quarterback spelled the end of all hope. Now Mullen trots out QB Emory Jones, the third quarterback to take snaps this year when Trask is in the locker room and Jones responds by leading the Gators to a field goal.

Is there any doubt that Jones could handle the starting role if called upon? The QB-depth has morphed from weakness under McElwain to strength under Mullen.

Anyway…no rest for the weary, on to LSU, where the Tigers continued their hot start with another blowout victory.

Miami almost pulled off a miracle comeback but posted an inexcusable loss to a down Virginia Tech team.

Tennessee surprised everyone…for one half. Vandy also chose to play one half of football.

Mizzou locked up a costly nonconference win.

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

Miami (2-3), L 42-32 vs Virginia Tech

The Hurricanes fell behind 28-0 in this one before storming back to tie it up at 35-35 with about three minutes left in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for Miami, the defense gave way on Va Tech’s final drive. QB N’Kosi Perry nearly led a drive for a tying score but failed to complete a pass in the end zone from 10 yards out at the end of regulation.
Next game: vs Virginia (10/11)
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Hurting – this was a bad home loss to a Hokies squad coming off a 45-10 loss at home to Duke. At this point, the Canes can move on from any hopes of sneaking into the ACC title game and focus solely on making a bowl game.

UT-Martin (3-2), W 38-28 at Eastern Kentucky

RB Peyton Logan ran for 112 yards and a touchdown as the Skyhawks topped the Colonels to improve to 2-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play.
Next game: at Tennessee Tech
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Hurting – FCS opponents do not help the strength of schedule perception.

Kentucky (2-3, 0-3), Bye

The Cats’ home game against Arkansas on Saturday in Lexington is a must-win if Kentucky intends to go bowling this season. A loss to the Razorbacks creates a tough road to .500
Next game: vs Arkansas
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Hurting – UF’s struggles at Kentucky will be frowned upon if the Wildcats miss a bowl game.

Tennessee (1-4, 0-2), L 43-14 vs Georgia

I can’t be the only one who gave Tennessee credit for hanging around in the first half, right? The Vols were completely outmatched and it showed in the second half as Georgia snuffed out a surprisingly scrappy effort.
Next game: vs Mississippi State
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Hurting – Tennessee continues to be a shell of its former self.

Towson (3-2), Bye

The Tigers took the week off after a trip to Gainesville. They’ll face the Great Danes on Saturday.
Next game: vs Albany
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Hurting – FCS opponents do not help the strength of schedule perception.

#12 Auburn (5-1, 2-1), L 24-13 at #7 Florida

The Tigers were swamped by the Gators defense, gaining only 269 total yards on the day. QB Bo Nix was 11-27 for 145 yards and a touchdown, but his three interceptions played a pivotal role in the game. Auburn had its chances in this one, however, Florida continued to make the right plays at the right time all day. On Tuesday, Auburn announced RB JaTarvious Whitlow will be out for 4-6 weeks after knee surgery that resulted from an injury sustained against Florida. The Tigers have plenty of playmakers but losing Whitlow will be a big blow for a team going to LSU in two weeks.
Next game: at Arkansas (10/19)
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Helping – the Gators locked down their first signature win of 2019.

Next up for the Gators

#5 LSU (5-0, 1-0), W 42-6 vs Utah State

LSU continued rolling with another 40+ point performance. QB Joe Burrow tacked on another 344 passing yards and five touchdowns to an already impressive resume becoming the first LSU quarterback to pass for 300 yards in four straight games. LSU faces a similar stretch to the Gators over the next month, hosting #7 Florida and #12 Auburn before heading to #1 Alabama in early November.

Next game: vs #7 Florida

South Carolina (2-3, 1-2), Bye

The Cocks took an extra week to prepare for their trip to Georgia. South Carolina has dropped four straight games to the Bulldogs and has not won in Athens since 2011.
Next game: at #3 Georgia

#3 Georgia (5-0, 2-0)

QB Jake Fromm was 24-29 passing for 288 yards and two touchdowns against the Volunteers on Saturday. The Dawgs defense gave up 273 yards through the air but held Tennessee to only 70 yards on the ground. No team has rushed for more than 116 total yards on the Georgia defense and, last season, UGA held the Gamecocks to only 54 yards on the ground.
Next game: vs South Carolina

Vanderbilt (1-4, 0-3), L 31-6 at Ole Miss

The Commodores kept it competitive through the first half and headed into the locker room facing only a 10-6 deficit to the Rebels. Ole Miss has some talent, but it wasn’t unreasonable to expect a better showing here from Vandy and a bowl game now looks to be out of reach.
Next game: vs UNLV

Missouri (4-1, 1-0), W 42-10 vs Troy

Mizzou, the sneaky tough road trip at the end of Florida’s SEC schedule, cruised in this one, but it was not without a cost. QB Kelly Bryant sprained his left knee and did not return in the second half. The grad transfer from Clemson is expected to play this weekend though. LB Cale Garrett, however, is likely done for the season after suffering a pectoral tendon injury.
Next game: vs Ole Miss

Florida State (3-3), Bye

FSU heads to the Clemson this weekend as nearly four-touchdown underdogs. The Noles have shown improvement in their last two performances and have a chance to make a big statement with a strong showing on Saturday.
Next game: at #2 Clemson

No. 5 LSU will host No. 7 Florida at 8 p.m. Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.