It was a bye week for Florida football, giving the team a breather following seven straight games to start the 2026 campaign. Despite the layoff, the Gators still moved up in the latest issue of the AP Top 25.

After leaping back into the top 25 of the poll last week to No. 20 with 355 points, the Orange and Blue moved up to No. 17 with 556 points with the dust settled on college football's Week 8 schedule. Jon Sumrall and Co. are now nestled between No. 16 Tennessee (662) and No. 18 Houston (491).

Florida is once again joined by eight fellow SEC schools in the rankings, headlined by third-ranked Georgia, followed by Kentucky (No. 9), Alabama (No. 10), Texas (No. 11), Ole Miss (No. 12), LSU (No. 15), Tennessee (No. 16), Florida (No. 17) and Missouri (No. 23). South Carolina appeared on the ballot with eight points.

The Gators also gained ground in the US LBM Coaches Poll this week, moving into the top 20 at No. 20.

Next up, 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.

College football AP Top 25 after Week 8

  1. Miami (FL)
  2. Ohio State
  3. Georgia
  4. Indiana
  5. Notre Dame
  6. Utah
  7. UCLA
  8. BYU
  9. Kentucky
  10. Alabama
  11. Texas
  12. Ole Miss
  13. Texas Tech
  14. Wake Forest
  15. LSU
  16. Tennessee
  17. Florida
  18. Houston
  19. SMU
  20. Boise State
  21. Northwestern
  22. Arizona
  23. Missouri
  24. Oklahoma State
  25. Wisconsin

Others receiving votes:

Iowa 76, New Mexico 41, Cincinnati 11, Oregon State 10, South Carolina 8, Minnesota 7, USC 7, UTSA 1, Virginia Tech 1

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football moves up AP Top 25 poll after Week 8 bye

Source: Yahoo Sports