Florida surges into CFP conversation after trouncing Ole Miss as Jon Sumrall eyes SEC coaching history

We'll be seeing ample Gator chomps the rest of the way this season.

Coming out of Saturday's 52-28 statement win over previously unbeaten and No. 4 Ole Miss, the No. 21 Gators look the part in the early season College Football Playoff conversation and have a surging Heisman candidate leading their backfield in Jadan Baugh.

Jon Sumrall is trying to become the fifth first-year coach all-time to reach the CFP in his first campaign. He'd join four others across the Power Four to accomplish that feat, but would make history as the first from the SEC.

The win for the Gators snapped a four-game losing skid against ranked competition and was Florida's first victory over a top-five opponent since 2020 (Georgia).

The Gators had lost their previous 12 matchups against the nation's elite, and Sumrall joked that, coming into Saturday's showdown, his team has no business being favored against the Rebels.

The telling sign of a well-coached team with no signs of wilting is its ability to respond, and the Gators reflected that in the third quarter, absorbing body blows before punching back.

Florida broke open a 24-21 game in the second half with consecutive touchdown drives predicated by the…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/