Florida football: How the Gators’ 2019 opponents fared in week 10

Florida football had a difficult weekend, but there is still plenty to play for in 2019.

Miami put the final nail in the Taggart era at Florida State. (Of which Florida football fans can joke about the rest of the season)

Tennessee continues to improve.

Auburn and South Carolina took care of business and Mizzou will head between the hedges after a bye.

LSU rested up before another “Game of the Century” in Tuscaloosa.

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

Miami (5-4), W 27-10 at Florida State

The Canes jumped an outmatched FSU team early and took a 17-3 lead into the locker room. The defense held the Noles to only 203 total yards on the day and created two turnovers. Despite Florida State’s struggles, a win over their biggest rival stands as the signature win of the Manny Diaz era. Miami is technically in the hunt for the ACC Coastal but needs help to get to Charlotte.
Next game: vs Louisville
Helping or hurting UF SOS perception: Helping – the Canes finally get their head above water in 2019. Can they finish strong against a winnable stretch?

UT-Martin (6-3), W 22-17 vs Jacksonville State

QB John Bachus III had two touchdowns on the day and the Skyhawks returned a 65-yard punt for a touchdown in a big Ohio Valley Conference win over the Gamecocks.
Next game: at Austin Peay
Helping or hurting UF SOS perception: Hurting – FCS foes do not help SOS.

Kentucky (4-4, 2-4), Bye

The Cats had the week off after crucial win against Missouri. Now they just have to lock up two wins against the Vols, Vandy, UT-Martin, and Louisville, to secure bowl eligibility in 2019.
Next game: vs Tennessee
Helping or hurting UF SOS perception: Helping – UK has a scrappy group that’s played well above their talent level in 2019. Stoops should be considered for the FSU job.

Tennessee (4-5, 2-3), W 30-7 vs UAB

The Vols put together another solid performance and a bowl bid is starting to look likely. Tennessee’s defense should match up well against Kentucky and head coach Jeremy Pruitt should start seeing some credit for an incredible bounce back after the disastrous start to the season.
Next game: at Kentucky
Helping or hurting UF SOS perception: Helping – The Vols suddenly have life and every win locked up as the season winds down is a plus for the Gators.

Towson (5-4), W 31-24 vs Delaware

RB Yeedee Thaenrat had three touchdowns and QB Tom Flacco threw for 294 yards and a touchdown as the Tigers notched a big win against the Blue Hens.
Next game: at Stony Brook
Helping or hurting UF SOS perception: Hurting – FCS foes do not help SOS.

#11 Auburn (7-2, 4-2), W 20-14 vs Ole Miss

A week after QB Joey Gatewood announced his intention to transfer, QB Box Nix went 30-44 for 340 yards through the air. RB D.J. Williams added 93 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries and the Tigers’ defense held the Rebels to 266 total yards on the day. Auburn goes on bye next week before attempting to play the role of spoiler for the rest of the season.
Next game: vs #6 Georgia
Helping or hurting UF SOS perception: Helping – Gus Malzahn & Co. will likely go down as the Gators’ best win of the 2019 regular season.

#1 LSU (8-0, 4-0), Bye

It’s that time of year again. Can the Purple & Gold finally get over the Alabama hump?
Next game: at #2 Alabama
Helping or hurting UF SOS perception: Helping – A close road loss against the LSU machine helped UF’s stock on a national level.

South Carolina (4-5, 3-4), W 24-7 vs Vanderbilt

QB Ryan Hilinski led a balanced attack on the night with 24-31 passing for 235 yards and two touchdowns. After trailing 7-0 in the first quarter, South Carolina scored 24 consecutive points and completely shut down the Vandy offense. The ‘Dores were held to 76 yards passing on 21 attempts. The Cocks welcome Appalachian State to Columbia this weekend in an interesting non-conference matchup. A win against the Mountaineers is an absolute must since Texas A&M and Clemson stand in the way of bowl eligibility for South Carolina.
Next game: vs Appalachian State
Helping or hurting UF SOS perception: Helping – Carolina has played well enough at times to be considered a good win for UF.

#8 Georgia (7-1, 4-1), W 24-17 vs #6 Florida

This one hurt. Despite being outplayed, the Gators found a way to hang around all day. Third down conversions made the headlines, but Florida lost this game up-front on both sides of the ball. On top of getting very little pressure on Fromm on the defensive side of the ball, Florida’s offensive line was leaky and Trask was under pressure all day. Barring a historic choke job from the Bulldogs, Georgia should be set to make the trip to Atlanta with a remaining SEC schedule of: vs Mizzou, at Auburn and vs Texas A&M.
Next game: vs Missouri
Helping or hurting UF SOS perception: Helping – Despite the distaste Florida has for Georgia, this was a hard-fought game against a strong Georgia program and showed that Mullen has Florida progressing in the right direction.

Next up for the Gators

Vanderbilt (2-6, 1-4), L 24-7 at South Carolina

Vandy came into this game hoping for a strong follow-up performance to the win over Mizzou. Instead, they failed to make much of an impact on offense. The leading stat lines in the game for the Commodores:

PASSING: 3-4, 46 yards, and 1 TD
RUSHING: 20 carries for 87 yards
RECEIVING: 1 reception, 26 yards, and 1 TD
Next game: at #10 Florida

Missouri (5-3, 2-2), Bye

Mizzou goes into Athens off of a much-needed bye week. The last two times out, the Tigers dropped games to SEC East bottom-feeders, Vanderbilt and Kentucky, scoring 21 combined points in those performances. Gator Nation is with the Tigers, but it’s hard to see a scenario where Mizzou-UGA is close.
Next game: at #6 Georgia

Florida State (4-5), L 27-10 vs Miami

Enough was enough. FSU cut ties with head coach Willie Taggart after another embarrassing big game performance. FSU RB Cam Akers had 22 carries for 66 yards to lead the Noles on the ground but his rushing total was cut into on the stat sheet since Miami recorded nine sacks for a total of 51 yards. Interim head coach Odell Haggins faces a must-win at Boston College on Saturday if the Noles plan on going bowling.
Next game: at Boston College

5 takeaways in Florida's loss to Georgia. dark. Next

No. 10 Florida football will host Vanderbilt at 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Home/Florida Gators Football