<br><div><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el" aria-label="Video - Eli Manning’s advice to Arch Manning on where to commit for college football"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Only a late touchdown with the game well out of reach allowed Florida to avoid being blanked for the first time since 1988.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Small victories will have to suffice in place of actual wins, which have proved harder to come by in coach Dan Mullen's fourth season. <a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2021/10/30/georgia-bulldogs-defeat-florida-gators/6217975001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">The 34-7 loss to Georgia</a> illustrated the chasm of space separating the Gators from the top-ranked Bulldogs and raised another round of questions about whether Mullen has what it takes to close the gap.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">It's been that kind of year for the Gators. After winning the SEC East and putting a scare into Alabama during the pandemic year, Florida stands among the biggest flops in the Football Bowl Subdivision.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">While the schedule gets significantly easier from here — South Carolina, Samford, Missouri and Florida State — don't let an eight-win regular season distract from what's really at play: Florida is a team and program heading in the wrong direction.</p><figure class="gnt_em gnt_em_img"><img class="gnt_em_img_i" style="height:467px" data-g-r="lazy" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/10/30/USAT/08dfe80b-0440-4632-8b19-e54be797888b-USATSI_17061227.jpg?width=660&height=467&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp" srcset="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/10/30/USAT/08dfe80b-0440-4632-8b19-e54be797888b-USATSI_17061227.jpg?width=1320&height=934&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x" decoding="async" alt="Florida head coach Dan Mullen reacts after greeting Georgia head coach Kirby Smart following the Gators' 34-7 loss at TIAA Bank Field."/></figure><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">The Gators are among Saturday's biggest winners and losers:</p><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2">WINNERS</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong>Michigan State</strong></p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Down 16 points in the third quarter and with a magical season on the brink, Michigan State <a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/ncaaf/bigten/2021/10/30/college-football-michigan-state-beats-michigan/6213478001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">outscored Michigan 23-3 in the final 19 minutes</a> to become the only unbeaten team in the Big Ten. The star was running back Kenneth Walker III, <a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/ncaaf/bigten/2021/10/30/michigan-state-kenneth-walker-national-breakout-heisman-trophy-candidate/6214670001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">who ran for 197 yards and five scores</a> — the most Michigan had ever allowed to a single player. Walker should be at or near the top of every Heisman Trophy watchlist. </p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong>Ohio State</strong></p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Heavy favorites against slumping Penn State, the Buckeyes suffered uncharacteristic...</p></div> <style> .wrapper { text-align: center; } </style> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="button" href ="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2021/10/30/college-football-week-9-winners-losers-florida-michigan-state-texas/6212956001/">Read more <span>➤</span></a> </div>
