Florida football: How the Gators’ 2019 opponents fared in week 7

Florida football put up a good fight in Baton Rouge on Saturday night but came up short against a Heisman-worthy quarterback.

Florida football will head up to Columbia to face a .500 South Carolina team fresh off of college football’s biggest upset of 2019.

It took two overtimes and the Gamecocks almost pulled a South Carolina, but they managed to hold on and knock off the heavily favored-Georgia Bulldogs in Athens.

How will Florida respond to their first loss? Does Carolina have enough in the tank for a follow-up performance?

Miami was somehow a home favorite and after watching Virginia attempt to play offense, I understand why.

Arkansas put up a fight in Lexington, but the Cats prevailed.

Tennessee decided to play some “bawl” this weekend.

Auburn rested up and will head to Arkansas before their showdown with LSU in two weeks.

Vandy had a disappointing loss.

Mizzou found its way to the top of the East and should stay put for a few weeks.

Florida State fans were reminded just how far they’ve slid from the elite class of college football.

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

Miami (3-3), W 17-9 vs #20 Virginia

Four of this ugly game’s six scores came in the fourth quarter and, Virginia, a team that many expected to be the runner-up to Clemson in the ACC, looked unimpressive against a stout Miami defense. The Canes have a solid chance to jump above .500 for the first time on the year when lowly Georgia Tech comes to visit this weekend.
Next game: vs Georgia Tech
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Helping – Virginia had lofty preseason expectations and can still win the ACC Coastal. This quality win bolsters Miami, therefore, it bolsters UF’s SOS.

UT-Martin (4-2), W 55-14 vs Tennessee Tech

QB John Bachus III threw for a season-high 331 yards and five touchdowns as the Skyhawks dismantled Tennessee Tech.
Next game: vs Eastern Illinois
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Hurting – FCS foe never helps SOS.

Kentucky (3-3, 1-3), W 24-20 vs Arkansas

Arkansas gave Kentucky a fight. The Wildcats trailed until halfway through the fourth quarter before pulling out their first SEC win on the season. The Razorbacks have been competitive in each game this season and should no longer be overlooked by mid-level SEC opponents. UK heads to Athens next week and will likely be a victim of an angry Georgia, but they should be able to find three wins on the rest of the schedule and make a bowl.
Next game: at #10 Georgia
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Helping – a strong performance at Georgia may give the Cats the boost they need for a big finish to the season.

Tennessee (2-3, 1-2), W 20-10 vs Mississippi State

The Vols defense showed up and played well in this one, but unfortunately for Smokey, the chance to build momentum is slim with a trip to Alabama up next.
Next game: at #1 Alabama
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Hurting – The Vols finally got on the right side of a result, but one home win won’t solve all of their problems.

Towson (3-3), L 38-21 vs Albany

The Tigers were outscored 21-7 by the Great Danes in the second half.
Next game: vs Bucknell
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception:  Hurting – FCS foe never helps SOS.

#12 Auburn (5-1, 2-1), Bye

The Razorbacks have been scrappy this season, but the Tigers are a level up from A&M and Kentucky. Auburn needs to stay focused on this game and not look ahead to LSU.
Next game: at Arkansas
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Helping – the Tigers boosted UF’s national profile, but do they have another couple losses on the schedule?

#5 LSU (6-0,2-0), W 42-28 vs #7 Florida

LSU proved that their offense will not be slowed down this season. QB Joe Burrow is my Heisman leader at this point in the season. The Florida defense missed Greenard and Zuniga, but the offense gave the Gators a chance. LSU created a turnover in the red zone and got a stop late to help inch past Florida. Next up for the Tigers- a trip to Starkville, which is looking much easier after the Bulldogs’ debacle at Rocky Top.
Next game: at Mississippi State
Helping or hurting  UF SOS perception: Helping – a loss in Tiger Stadium may have done more for the perception of the Gators than the win over Auburn.

Next up for the Gators

South Carolina (3-3, 2-2), W 20-17 at #3 Georgia

Muschamp finally landed his signature win in Columbia as the Cocks prevailed in double overtime thanks to a missed field goal by one of the better kickers in the nation. Credit to Carolina for creating turnovers and outplaying Georgia, but I see little hope in a strong follow-up to this performance.
Next game: vs #9 Florida

#3 Georgia (5-1, 2-1), L 17-20 vs South Carolina

QB Jake Fromm threw three interceptions and Georgia turned the ball over four times on the day. Despite the mistakes and being outplayed, the Bulldogs had multiple chances to win this game. Look for head coach Kirby Smart to tone down the super conservative play-calling against the Cats in Georgia’s last action until the Florida game in a few weeks.
Next game: vs Kentucky

Vanderbilt (1-5, 0-3), L 34-10  vs UNLV

A 1-4 UNLV team rolled into Nashville and jumped out to a 24-10 lead before the half. The Rebels shut out Vandy in the second half. The Dores only managed 306 yards of total offense and 12 first downs on the day against a school that has not stayed within two touchdowns against another FBS school. 2019 continues to be a rough year at Vandy.
Next game: vs #22 Missouri

Missouri (5-1, 2-1), W 38-27 vs Ole Miss

Ole Miss struck first, but the Tigers followed with 28 straight points and stayed within control

throughout in this game. QB Kelly Bryant was 23-35 passing for 329 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The win gave the Tigers first-place in the SEC East and with upcoming games against Vandy and Kentucky, Mizzou should hold on to the top spot until mid-November matchups against Georgia and Florida.
Next game: at Vanderbilt

Florida State (3-4), L 42-7 at #2 Clemson

Clemson put the talent-gap between these two schools on full display by jumping out to a 28-0 lead in the first half. The Tigers put up 552 total yards of total offense and if the Seminoles lose to Wake next week, they will be on the edge of missing a bowl game.
Next game: at Wake Forest

Remember, No. 9 Florida will take on South Carolina in Columbia at 12 p.m. Saturday