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SEC Football Power Rankings: Week 2

By Kevin Miller

If both Alabama and Georgia go undefeated through the SEC football schedule, they will meet in the SEC Championship game and, potentially, in the National Championship. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
If both Alabama and Georgia go undefeated through the SEC football schedule, they will meet in the SEC Championship game and, potentially, in the National Championship. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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SEC Football
The Florida Gators had their lowest SEC football expectations in some time heading into 2023, and they backed up those low expectations in week 1. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun] /

SEC Football Power Rankings, Week 2:
No. 13 Florida Gators (Preseason: 13th)

The Florida Gators put up a stinker in week 1. On a tough road trip to Salt Lake City, Florida dropped their season opener to Utah 24-11, but the game didn’t feel that close.

Billy Napier’s team ran for just 13 yards on the ground, and most of their 333 passing yards came as inconsequential chunk yardage while Utah played conservatively on defense with the lead. UF’s 3rd down conversion rate was abysmal as offensive coordinator Rob Sale’s group went 1-13 on the money down.

The Gator defense was not bad most of the night, but they were playing against Utah’s backup quarterback, gave up a 70-yard touchdown on the first play of the game, and had zero sacks despite Utah playing a true freshman at left tackle against their top pass rushers.

Making matters worse, in the pregame, Florida defensive end Princely Umanmielen posted a since-deleted Instagram story in which he made fun of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium, calling it “lil.” Umanmielen was stone-walled by freshman tackle Spencer Fano on the game’s first play, leading to the 70-yard score.

Florida will win this weekend against McNeese State, but then they have to play Tennessee, another opportunity for the Gator faithful online to lose their minds if the game gets out of hand.

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