Florida Gators have five of the nation's biggest rivalries, but their rankings miss the mark
The Florida Gators are rooted in tradition with great rivalries that have skyrocketed over the last 35 years since Steve Spurrier took over. The 1990s was a huge decade for multiple reasons, but the expansive growth that we saw with the multitude of rivalries. The Athletic's Scott Dochterman took on the daunting task of ranking […]
The Florida Gators are rooted in tradition with great rivalries that have skyrocketed over the last 35 years since Steve Spurrier took over. The 1990s was a huge decade for multiple reasons, but the expansive growth that we saw with the multitude of rivalries.
The Athletic's Scott Dochterman took on the daunting task of ranking the top 100 rivalries in college football and five of the Gators' rivalries made the list.
64. Florida vs. LSU
58. Florida vs. Miami (FL)
36. Florida vs. Tennessee
12. Florida vs. Georgia
9. Florida vs. Florida State
Florida Gators have great rivalries
When you look at the Gators' rivalries, they have some of the best ones in the country. However, the structure of how they are ranked leaves something to be desired.
The ranking of the LSU rivalry is arguably in the right spot. They have seen some great games over the years, including the infamous shoe throwing game of 2020 that eliminated the Gators from College Football Playoff contention.
This is where things get really interesting. The Gators barely play against the Hurricanes, so how can we truly consider it a rivalry in the way that the others are? Why would it be above the Tigers, who the Gators play every season? Cache only goes so far when you have only played eight times this century, and two of those came in bowl games.
When it comes to vitriol and aggressiveness in rivalries, the top three are interesting. The one thing that makes the most sense is having both the matchups with both Georgia and Florida State being within the top 15. Considering how important the Tennessee rivalry has been when it comes to the SEC and National Championship are concerned, it's shockingly low.
From 1994-2009, the winner of that game had a major factor in winning the SEC East, and the two teams have a combined four National Championships between them. The 2001 game that was postponed until the end of the season due to current events took the Gators out of the National Championship picture and vaulted the Volunteers into it before they lost in the SEC Championship Game.
Georgia has the 3:30 ET time slot the weekend around Halloween and Florida State is on rivalry weekend, but the Tennessee rivalry deserves a lot more credit for both its importance and the hatred both teams have for each other.
‘I didn’t understand everything’ Latest Florida Gators decommit sets the record straight on his intriguing recruiting process
It was a tough loss for the Gators on the recruiting trail
Florida Gators remain in contention for top edge recruit, and are set up to steal him from SEC rival in his home state
This is a crucial battle that Billy Napier needs to win
