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ESPN gives Florida a boost in its power rankings after Week 8 bye

ESPN’s latest college football power rankings lifted the Florida Gators three spots to No. 18 after their Week 8 bye, slotting them between Northwestern at No.

17 and Boise State at No. 19.

The boost follows a week of rest that allowed the team to address injuries, including quarterback Aaron Philo’s shoulder issue that kept him out of the Oct. 17 win over Texas, wide receiver Vernell Brown III’s three‑week knee absence, and Bailey Stockton’s injury sustained against the Longhorns.

Florida now prepares to face rival Georgia in the annual showdown on Oct. 31 in Atlanta, with the game set for a 3:30 p.m.

ET kickoff on ABC. The Gators’ rise adds to the SEC’s strong presence in the top‑25, which also features Georgia (No.

3), Kentucky (No. 8), Alabama (No.

10), LSU (No. 12), Texas (No.

13), Ole Miss (No. 14), Tennessee (No.

20) and Missouri (No. 23).

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