Billy Napier is pleased with his team’s turnaround but far from satisfied to merely scratch his first winning season at UF.

But Florida has been far from dominant this year, so many expected Saturday’s game to be a slam-dunk victory for Ole Miss. After being upset by the Gators on Saturday, ESPN’s David Hale says that the Rebels are the team who ended up getting dunked on.

Those complementary elements conspired to create a seismic shakeup of the playoff landscape. Florida’s 24-17 upset of No. 9 Ole Miss clinched a bowl berth for the hosts (6-5, 4-4 SEC) and knocked the Rebels (8-3, 4-3) from playoff contention.

Florida State has been hit hard by injuries throughout the 2024 campaign, losing multiple starters on both sides of the ball to season-ending ailments. That will continue on Saturday with at least two players already ruled out after head coach Mike Norvell announced that redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Jaylen Early and sophomore defensive back Conrad Hussey underwent procedures.

Florida State football is back in the College Football Playoff field following Tuesday's release of the College Football Rankings.