After back-to-back, uninspiring losses to Georgia and Oklahoam in consecutive seasons, Florida doesn't have a ton to play for. The Gators are out of the College Football Playoff hunt entirely, and need to win one more game to simply make it to a mediocre bowl game. While seeing the season go from dream to disaster isn't exactly how fans though Jon Sumrall's first season in Gainesville go, that's the unfortunate reality.
But there is one thing left for Florida to play for that could make the season a bit more bearable.
Florida can spoil Kentucky's College Football Playoff chances
Florida goes on the road to face Kentucky this week, and it will be a challenge for this struggling Gator team. The Florida offense has scored 10 points in the last two weeks, and despite making a switch from Aaron Philo to Tramell Jones, the play hasn't exactly gotten much better.
Although the defense played well early against Georgia two weeks ago, the Gators allowed Oklahoma to put up 351 total yards of offense and hold the ball for 37:50 in game time.
How Jon Sumrall's first season at Florida compares to previous Gator coaching hires
Florida faces a Kentucky team that has just two losses this year, to Alabama earlier in the season and to Tennessee just last week. The Wildcats are also coming off a tough offensive outing, as the Vols defense held the Wildcats to a season-low six points. Kentucky reached the red zone just twice all night, and had to settle for a pair of field goals.
While the Gators' struggles in recent weeks suggest Kentucky should be heavily favored, the odds suggest it might be closer than expected. Kentucky is listed as a slight 3-point home favorite. per DraftKings. ESPN FPI's matchup predictor gives the Wildcats just a 53.8% chance to win at home. Florida has struggled historically against Kentucky, with the last win in Lexington coming in 2019. First-year head coach WIll Stein's team has also played well at home this season, winning every game except the Alabama one.
While we won't know where exactly the Wildcats will be ranked in the most recent CFP rankings. But with two losses and signature wins over the likes of LSU, South Carolina and Oklahoma, Kentucky is squarely still in the playoff hunt. ESPN's Heather Dinich predicts Kentucky will be ranked 10th after the loss to Tennessee, which would put them safely inside the 12-team field.
I mean, what better way to make up for a lost first season for Sumrall than knocking Kentucky out of the CFP with a huge road win? Don't get me wrong, it's hard to watch the team that just took the field against Oklahoma and think that's a plausible result.
But Sumrall should fight to get this team motivated on this one common goal. Instead of dwelling on all that's gone wrong this season, focus on what the team can do right this week. Not to mention a win would ruin a former longtime SEC East rival's CFP hopes in what's been a dream season in Lexington. Oh, and making a bowl game would be nice, too.
When there's not much nationally left to play for, the Gators being CFP disruptors isn't a terrible conciliation prize.
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