Projected college football rankings after Florida upsets Utah in The Swamp

Sep 3, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) is congratulated by offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun (65) after he scored a touchdown against the Utah Utes during the second quarter at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) is congratulated by offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun (65) after he scored a touchdown against the Utah Utes during the second quarter at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida needed one big defensive stand against Utah to pull off the upset and they got it done. Now we look at the projected college football rankings. 

While many eyes in the college football world were fixated upon Columbus for the Ohio State-Notre Dame clash, there was a huge matchup going down in Gainesville with the Florida Gators playing host to No. 7-ranked Utah. And the Utes were on their heels from the start of the game, going into a heavyweight bout on the road against an SEC foe.

It was truly a back-and-forth affair as the lead changed hands six times, most notably with Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, who was a true superstar in the contest, scoring a 1-yard rushing touchdown with just 1:25 remaining. But Cameron Rising and the Utes charged back and got inside the Florida 10-yard line trying to tie it up and force overtime or perhaps win.

Instead, Rising underthrew a ball into the end zone and the Gators capitalized with under 20 seconds left as they came up with the interception to seal the upset win at home. And now, the college football rankings are already going to be shaken up.

College football rankings: Projected Top 10 after Florida upsets Utah

  1. Alabama Crimson Tide
  2. Ohio State Buckeyes
  3. Georgia Bulldogs
  4. Clemson Tigers
  5. Texas A&M Aggies
  6. Michigan Wolverines
  7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
  8. Oklahoma Sooners
  9. Baylor Bears
  10. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Note: These rankings also reflect Ohio State beating Notre Dame as they held a fourth-quarter lead at the time of writing. 

Utah is surely going to drop out of the Top 10, even after a tough loss on the road against an SEC opponent. With all but one other team inside that span getting wins to open the season, that seems like a given, though they shouldn’t fall outside the Top 15.

As for Florida, the biggest question for the Gators was the uncertainty around the roster as Billy Napier arrived. But with the way Richardson played down the stretch and the defense showed up, they proved quite a lot. As such, it would not be a surprise to see them crack the Top 25, even after not getting all that much consideration in the preseason poll with just 14 votes going their way.

Next. College Football Power Rankings: Top 25 QBs for 2022. dark

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