Gators tumble in playoff rankings

GAINESVILLE — An ugly overtime victory against two-win FAU proved costly for the Florida Gators in the College Football Playoff rankings.

The Gators dropped four spots to No. 12 in the latest rankings, released Tuesday night.

Florida (10-1) has three consecutive wins by a total of 18 points against teams with a combined 9-24 mark, including the 20-14 win against FAU (2-9). The Gators have averaged 304.7 yards during that stretch and managed just 252 yards against the Owls.

“They’ve been struggling on the offensive side of the ball and the committee is taking notice,” ESPN analyst Danny Kanell said of UF.

Florida will face Kanell’s former team, Florida State, Saturday night in the Swamp. With games against the No. 13 Seminoles (9-2) and likely No. 2 Alabama in next week’s SEC title game, the Gators will have two chances to sway the committee.

Two-time All-SEC cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III has been named one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive back.

Duke safety Jeremy Cash and Iowa cornerback Desmond King join Hargreaves. The winner will be announced Dec. 10.

Hargreaves has battled injury and illness this season, but is tied for the team-lead with four interceptions to go with two pass break-ups.

Next game: No. 12 UF vs. No. 13 FSU, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN