Florida back in basement of SEC vibes rankings after loss to Tennessee
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Florida hasn't won a game since firing Billy Napier, but the prospect of hiring Lane Kiffin has kept the vibes relatively high in Gainesville. That all came crashing down in Week 13 as LSU picked up momentum in the coaching carousel and Tennessee ended a 22-year losing streak in Gainesville in dominant fashion.
As a result, Seth Emerson of The Athletic had no choice but to put the Gators dead last in his weekly SEC vibe rankings.
"The excitement of a coaching search should improve the vibes," said Emerson, "but Florida has been open for so long that it’s wearing off, especially if this is Kiffin-or-bust, and danger-ing on bust.
"Most importantly, what a miserable, terrible product on the field. Steve Spurrier liked to call things 'putrid,' and he’d probably call the Gators that if he were asked today. Maybe Florida should just give him the job back, come to think of it. Can’t get worse."
First off, a good chunk of the fanbase would rejoice if Spurrier rose from the ashes like a Phoenix and took over the program. The whole reason Gator Nation wants Kiffin is because he's viewed as this generation's Spurrier, despite being a players' coach more than an offensive tactician. If Kiffin goes to LSU, Florida fans will start clamoring for the return of Urban Meyer or Tim Tebow, as they always do. It's not smart, it's emotional.
Beyond the coaching question, Emerson is right. Things are 'putrid' in the Swamp right now. The recruits in attendance for the Tennessee game looked disgusted for most of the night, and a 31-0 halftime score is inarguably ugly. The inspired play apparent in the first half against Ole Miss a week ago was nowhere to be seen. The team hasn't given up, per se, but injuries have ravaged this squad. It's too much to come back from.
So, yes, Florida belongs at the bottom of the SEC, and the Gators will stay there to end the SEC season — especially if when Kiffin goes elsewhere. Beating an equally miserable Florida State group won't leave a good taste in anyone's mouth. The season is beyond lost.
The Athletic's Week 13 SEC vibes rankings
| Ranking | Team | Record | Week 3 Result | Change |
| 1 | Georgia Bulldogs | 10-1 (7-1) | 35-3 W vs. Charlotte | — |
| 2 | Texas A&M Aggies | 11-0 (9-0) | 48-0 W vs. Samford | +1 |
| 3 | Oklahoma Sooners | 9-2 (5-2) | 17-6 W vs. Missouri | -1 |
| 4 | Vanderbilt Commodores | 9-2 (5-2) | 45-17 W vs. Kentucky | — |
| 5 | Alabama Crimson Tide | 9-2 (6-1) | 56-0 W vs. Eastern Illinois | +1 |
| 6 | Ole Miss Rebels | 10-1 (6-1) | BYE | -1 |
| 7 | Missouri Tigers | 7-4 (3-4) | 17–6 L at Oklahoma | — |
| 8 | Tennessee Volunteers | 8-3 (4-3) | 31-11 W at Florida | — |
| 9 | Texas Longhorns | 8-3 (5-2) | 52-37 W vs. Arkansas | +1 |
| 10 | Mississippi State Bulldogs | 5-6 (1-6) | BYE | — |
| 11 | Kentucky Wildcats | 5-6 (2-6) | 45-17 L at Vanderbilt | -2 |
| 12 | Auburn Tigers | 5-6 (1-6) | 62-17 W vs. Mercer | -1 |
| 13 | LSU Tigers | 7-4 (3-4) | 13-10 W vs. Western Kentucky | +2 |
| 14 | Arkansas Razorbacks | 2-9 (0-6) | 52-35 L at Texas | +2 |
| 15 | South Carolina Gamecocks | 4-7 (1-7) | 51-7 W vs. Coastal Carolina | -1 |
| 16 | Florida Gators | 3-8 (2-6) | 31-11 L vs. Tennessee | -3 |
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators football SEC vibe rankings Week 13
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