2025 is going to go down as one of the most lifeless seasons in Florida Gators history. That theme continued on Saturday night as Florida not only lost at home to Tennessee for the first time in over 20 years, but it looked completely disinterested and looked like they wanted to be anywhere but The Swamp on Saturday night.
It was so bad on Saturday that even Florida Governor Ron DeSantis chimed in with some thoughts on the state of the Gators.
Ron DeSantis says Florida has hit rock bottom
DeSantis has become far more active on X in recent months and has started to comment more and more on sports. On Saturday night, he posted to his account a sentiment that most Florida fans are feeling right now.
"Getting blown out in the Swamp by Tennessee = rock bottom for the Gators.
I remember the days when even someone like Peyton Manning didn't have a chance against UF in Gainesville.
Frustrating for the fan base."
Getting blown out in the Swamp by Tennessee = rock bottom for the Gators.
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) November 23, 2025
I remember the days when even someone like Peyton Manning didn’t have a chance against UF in Gainesville.
Frustrating for the fan base.
Even though Florida clawed back in the second half and made the scoreline at least somewhat less of a complete massacre, Saturday's 20-point loss is tied for the 5th-worst loss in series history and for the worst home loss in series history.
The last time Florida lost by 20 points at home to Tennessee was 1955.
But that has been the trend this season, finding stats dating back to the 1950s.
Even the most dedicated and faithful of Gator fans struggled to make it to the end of Saturday. While The Swamp started as a sellout, there were some notable empty seats that developed in the 2nd half.
But when sitting at 3-8 and facing the potential for the second-worst season in Florida history since 1953, the feeling of rock bottom among Gator fans is justified.