About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite their upset victory over Texas, The Athletic's latest bowl projection left Florida outside the College Football Playoff picture.
The Gators ' two wins over top-10 opponents were not enough to sway Scott Dochterman, who believes there is a contrast between the program's current standing and its playoff potential. The previous iteration of the prediction gave Florida a 53% chance of making the playoffs if Jon Sumrall's team could get to 9-3.
Dochterman emphasizes that the matchups reflect his expectations for the end of the season, rather than simply the standing after Week 8. He has Florida taking on SMU in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 30.
The Gators still have work to do in order to persuade the college football playoff committee that it belongs in the field of 12. Pulling off a second consecutive upset against third-ranked Georgia this week would certainly strengthen UF's position, as the victory would likely vault them into or at least near the top 10.
College football saw chaos tear through the standings in recent weeks as fifteen ranked teams have lost, dramatically changing the postseason landscape. Only three FBS programs remain undefeated with five weeks remaining in the regular season.
Back-to-back conference losses to Missouri and South Carolina complicated the path for Florida, but a hefty upcoming schedule provides plenty of opportunities to improve their resume. The SEC remains well represented, as the outlet sees Georgia, Alabama, LSU and Kentucky making the bracket. Georgia leads the field and is projected as the No. 1 seed.
Oct 17, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian talks with Florida Gators Head Coach Jon Sumrall before a game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images (Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. (9) throws a pass during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images (Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Dallas Wilson (6) reaches for a pass while defended by Texas Longhorns defensive back Bo Mascoe (5) during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images (Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. (9) keeps the ball for yards while defended by Texas Longhorns defensive back Kade Phillips (8) and Jelani McDonald (4) during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images (Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 4 PHOTOS: Top highlights from Florida at Texas in Week 7 Oct 17, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian talks with Florida Gators Head Coach Jon Sumrall before a game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images (Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 4 PHOTOS: Top highlights from Florida at Texas in Week 7 Oct 17, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian talks with Florida Gators Head Coach Jon Sumrall before a game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images (Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 2 / 4 Tramell Jones Jr. earns offensive player of the game in upset victory Oct 17, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. (9) throws a pass during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images (Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 4 Florida sneaks back into USAT re-rank top 25 after beating Texas Oct 17, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Dallas Wilson (6) reaches for a pass while defended by Texas Longhorns defensive back Bo Mascoe (5) during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images (Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 4 PHOTOS: Top highlights from Florida at Texas in Week 7 Oct 17, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. (9) keeps the ball for yards while defended by Texas Longhorns defensive back Kade Phillips (8) and Jelani McDonald (4) during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images (Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky , and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: The Athletic projects Florida's bowl game, opponent after Week 8 bye
Source: Sports
0 Comments