Florida football gets another challenge against a ranked team at The Swamp when No. 9 Ole Miss comes to town on Saturday (noon, ABC).
The Florida Gators (5-5, 3-4 SEC) will look to finish off their home slate on a positive note when they host the Rebels (8-2, 4-2 SEC), who are fighting for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Florida has won three in a row at The Swamp and is coming off a 27-16 home win against No. 22 LSU — its first against a ranked opponent since beating No. 11 Tennessee 29-16 on Sept. 16, 2023. Overall, Florida can finish the season 5-2 at home if it can upset Ole Miss. The Rebels, coming off a bye week, enter the week at 10-point favorites, per BetMGM.
“Home field advantage in this league has got to be… it’s a big piece to the puzzle,” Florida football coach Billy Napier said. “If you look at the history of this program when we were winning championships around here, they dominated at home. We understand that and know that, and that’s a big part of it.”
Ole Miss, led by fifth-year coach Lane Kiffin, boasts the SEC’s top offense (539.5 yards per game) and run defense (79.9 ypg allowed). Starting Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart leads the SEC in passing at 340.9 yards per game.
“Ole Miss has got playmakers on offense,” Napier said. “Obviously a veteran quarterback. Then defensively they’ve got some disruptive players up front.”
The home finale will also serve as an emotional Senior Day for a number of key players and transfers who have helped the program continue to fight through and up-and-third season under Napier. Florida has bounced back from a 1-2 start with home losses to Miami and Texas A&M, winning four of its last seven games.
“This group of seniors are a unique group,” Napier said. “There will be a part of that for the younger players to want to do their part for that group. So that will be a portion of the motivation.”
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