AP Top-25 poll gives Florida Gators necessary boost after dominant performace while highlighting how difficult the 2025 schedule is

The Florida Gators moved up two spots in the Associated Press' top-25 poll, finishing 13th after the first week of the college football season.

It shouldn't be much of a surprise that the Gators moved up in the top-25 poll. They beat Long Island 55-0 and did so in dominating fashion. Not only did the Gators allow less than 100 yards of total offense for the Sharks, they didn't commit a single penalty in the process. The schedule is only going to get harder for the Gators, and the poll emphasizes that.

AP Top-25 poll highlights difficult Florida Gators schedule

The Gators have the toughest schedule once again in the nation. Sure, playing in the Southeastern Conference makes a difference, but it's not just playing in the nation's toughest conference. They got a tough draw.

The Gators are currently slated to face eight teams ranked in the top-25.

• No. 3: @ LSU Tigers
• No. 4: Georgia Bulldogs (in Jacksonville)
• No. 5: @ Miami Hurricanes
• No. 7: Texas Longhorns
• No. 14: Florida State Seminoles
• No. 19: @ Texas A&M
• No. 20: @ Ole Miss Rebels
• No. 22: Tennessee Volunteers

For any team in the nation, that's a tough schedule. What makes things even worse is that the Gators will face LSU, Miami, and Texas in consecutive games. The Gators are going to be in a good place going into the first game of that gauntlet against LSU, as they are getting healthier. However, it's never easy going into Death Valley.

When you have quarterback DJ Lagway, anything is possible.