ESPN's power rankings following college football's Week 8 have the Florida Gators rising once again. This time, Jon Sumrall and Co. were promoted three spots to No. 18 after taking a breather with a bye last weekend.

That places the Orange and Blue between No. 17 Northwestern and No. 19 Boise State.

"The Gators had an open date to prepare for rival Georgia and to get healthy. Quarterback Aaron Philo missed the Oct. 17 victory at Texas with a shoulder injury, and wide receiver Vernell Brown III has been out three weeks with a knee injury," writer Andrea Adelson notes as she looks ahead to the UF-UGA matchup.

"Additionally, wideout Bailey Stockton was hurt against the Longhorns. Being at full strength to try to beat the Bulldogs this Saturday for the first time since 2020 will be perhaps the biggest key."

Florida faces Georgia in their annual rivalry game on Saturday, Oct. 31, which will be played in Atlanta and broadcast on ABC starting at 3:30 p.m. ET.

SEC schools in ESPN's power rankings after Week 8

The Southeastern Conference maintained its tally of nine member schools in ESPN's power rankings this week, with third-ranked Georgia leading the way, followed by Kentucky (No. 8), Alabama (No. 10), LSU (No. 12), Texas (No. 13), Ole Miss (No. 14), Florida (No. 18), Tennessee (No. 20) and Missouri (No. 23).

ESPN's college football power rankings after Week 8

  1. Miami Hurricanes
  2. Ohio State Buckeyes
  3. Georgia Bulldogs
  4. BYU Cougars
  5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
  6. UCLA Bruins
  7. Indiana Hoosiers
  8. Kentucky Wildcats
  9. Utah Utes
  10. Alabama Crimson Tide
  11. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
  12. LSU Tigers
  13. Texas Longhorns
  14. Ole Miss Rebels
  15. Texas Tech Red Raiders
  16. Houston Cougars
  17. Northwestern Wildcats
  18. Florida Gators
  19. Boise State Broncos
  20. Tennessee Volunteers
  21. Arizona Wildcats
  22. SMU Mustangs
  23. Missouri Tigers
  24. New Mexico Lobos
  25. Oregon State Beavers

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: ESPN gives Florida a boost in its power rankings after Week 8 bye

Source: Yahoo Sports