Florida Gets Love From ESPN After Week 1 Blowout Win

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It was a very impressive opening game for Florida and Jon Sumrall, even if it was against Florida Atlantic. I don't love giving up 21 points, but Florida put up 66, and if the offense can keep doing what it did for much of the game, it will be in a very good spot to compete at a high level through the rest of the campaign. 

Things will start to get interesting for Florida in about two weeks, as it will take on Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, and Oklahoma all back-to-back. These games won't be easy, but if Florida keeps doing what it has to do on both sides, it should be in a fine spot.

The Gators are already getting some love in the polls, even though they weren't ranked in the AP poll after the Week 1 win. ESPN believes that Florida is a top-25 team in America, putting it at No. 24.

“What a difference having an actual offensive coordinator makes for the Gators. Jon Sumrall knew what he was doing when he hired Buster Faulkner away from Georgia Tech. We have only a one-week sample size, but his impact was immediate. While the Yellow Jackets' offense did not score a touchdown in their season opener, Florida scored nine touchdowns and 66 points — its most in a game since November 2021. 

“Georgia Tech transfer quarterback Aaron Philo showed comfort in the system, having been with Faulkner the previous two seasons, scoring four total touchdowns against Florida Atlantic. But it was Jadan Baugh who stole the show — becoming the third Gator player to rush for 150 yards and three touchdowns in a game over the past 30 years. It was only one game, but there is little doubt the offense already is vastly improved,” Andrea Adelson wrote.

I don't think it's crazy to say that Florida is one of the best 25 teams in the country, but I also think it's important to recognize that this was a game that it should have taken care of business in. 

Florida Atlantic is fine in the simple sense of being average, but there's absolutely no way that Florida should have even come close to losing this game. I'm curious to see what the next couple of weeks look like against better competition, but I like seeing Florida get some love early on.

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