The Florida Gators upset a top-10 opponent – see whose stocks went up with the win

The Florida Gators’ victory over the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday was nothing short of a statement. The 24-17 win marked a crucial upset, securing the Gators’ second consecutive victory over a ranked opponent. For a team that has been under scrutiny throughout the season, this win was a breath of fresh air, and it propelled them further into bowl eligibility. As the dust settles on a thrilling game, it’s time to take a closer look at the individual performances and see whose stock has gone up and whose has taken a hit in the aftermath of the big win.

Stock Up:

Billy Napier

When the Florida Gators lose, head coach Billy Napier is often the first one to bear the brunt of criticism. His decision-making, game management, and team development have been called into question numerous times. However, winning matters in Gainesville, and Napier’s ability to lead the Gators to back-to-back upsets over ranked teams is a significant achievement. With Florida’s victory over Ole Miss, Napier has proven that he’s capable of leading his team to success against tough competition, even when the odds are stacked against them.

Despite the criticism, it’s clear that Napier’s leadership has taken a step forward. This season, his Gators have faced one of the toughest schedules in college football, and while there are still plenty of issues to address, there’s no denying that Florida is playing better football now than it did earlier in the season. The Gators’ resilience and ability to close out games are signs of a team learning how to win.

In years past, the Gators might have faltered in such a tight matchup. This time, they found a way to finish the game strong. Napier’s team has shown growth, not just in talent but in confidence. The Gators’ ability to bounce back after a difficult start to the season, winning in back-to-back weeks against top-tier opponents, is a clear reflection of Napier’s growing influence as head coach. For that reason, his stock is firmly on the rise.

Montrell Johnson Jr.

If you’ve been following the Gators closely, you know that Montrell Johnson Jr. has been an up-and-down player this season. At times, he’s looked like one of the best running backs in the SEC, while at other times, he’s struggled to make an impact. For the most part, Johnson’s performances have been inconsistent, leading to some disappointment among fans and analysts. However, his showing against Ole Miss was nothing short of impressive.

With 107 rushing yards on just 18 carries, Johnson was the focal point of Florida’s offense, averaging a solid 5.9 yards per carry. Not only did he provide a steady ground game for the Gators, but he also found the end zone with a crucial touchdown. Johnson’s performance stood out as the best on the team, as no other running back came close to matching his yardage.

This performance is especially notable given the struggles Johnson has faced this season. There have been games where he seemed to disappear, but in this contest, he delivered when his team needed him the most. With Ole Miss’ defense keying in on Florida’s passing game, Johnson’s ability to break off big runs and sustain drives was a game-changer. His efforts helped the Gators control the clock and wear down a talented Ole Miss defense. For this performance, Johnson has firmly earned his place in the “stocks up” section.

Caleb Banks

Caleb Banks has been a key figure on Florida’s defensive line all season, but his performance against Ole Miss might just be his best yet. The sophomore defensive lineman had a monster game, recording two and a half sacks, three and a half tackles for loss, and forcing an incompletion that disrupted an important play. His performance was a major factor in Florida’s ability to stifle Ole Miss’ high-powered offense, and it highlights just how much progress this Gators defense has made over the course of the season.

Florida’s defense has been vastly improved this year, and a big part of that has been the development of players like Banks. He’s quickly become one of the most disruptive forces on the defensive line, and his ability to generate pressure on the quarterback was key in Florida’s win. Ole Miss’ quarterback was under constant duress throughout the game, thanks in large part to Banks’ efforts.

It’s not just about this game, either. Banks has shown steady improvement over the course of the season, and with the Gators’ defensive line continuing to evolve, he will be a key part of that success moving forward. The fact that he’s just a sophomore means that Florida fans can expect even more from him in the years to come. Banks’ stock is definitely on the rise, and he’s proving to be one of the cornerstones of the Gators’ defense.

Bryce Thornton

Bryce Thornton’s performance against Ole Miss was one of the most exciting individual showings of the entire game. The Gators’ defense was exceptional across the board, but Thornton’s two game-changing interceptions really set him apart. Interceptions are always a big deal, but to grab two in a game of this magnitude is something special. Not only did Thornton create turnovers, but his presence in the secondary helped stifle Ole Miss’ aerial attack, which had been one of the most potent in the SEC this season.

Thornton’s impact went far beyond just picking off passes. His coverage was tight throughout the game, and he helped break up several key plays that could have swung the momentum in Ole Miss’ favor. His 14 tackles were a career-high, and he was a constant threat to disrupt the Rebels’ offense. This wasn’t just a one-game fluke; this was a performance that put the college football world on notice. If you didn’t know who Bryce Thornton was before this game, you definitely do now.

In a season where the Gators’ defense has had to step up in big moments, Thornton has shown he’s one of the players capable of making those game-changing plays. His stock is undeniably up, and he’s earned a place as one of the key playmakers on Florida’s defense.

Stock Down:

Lane Kiffin

It’s not often that a member of the opposing team makes it onto the “Stock Down” list, but in this case, it’s warranted. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has been one of the names floated as a potential candidate to replace Billy Napier as Florida’s head coach. That speculation has been fueled by the success Kiffin has had at Ole Miss, as well as his ability to generate buzz in the coaching carousel. However, his loss to Napier and the Gators has significantly hurt his standing as a potential future leader for the Florida program.

When Kiffin and Napier squared off, it was more than just a game; it was a head-to-head matchup between two coaches who have been in the spotlight throughout the season. For Napier, the win was a statement. He showed that his team could compete at a high level and come out on top, even when facing an opponent with a potent offense like Ole Miss. For Kiffin, this loss represented a missed opportunity to elevate his stock even further.

While Kiffin is still one of the top coaching talents in college football, his failure to get past Napier in this crucial game has dropped his stock, especially in the eyes of Florida fans. While many had hoped Kiffin might be the one to take over in Gainesville, this defeat has raised serious questions about his ability to lead a team to victory in big moments.

Ja’Kobi Jackson

Ja’Kobi Jackson’s overall stock for the season remains strong, but his performance against Ole Miss was a letdown. Jackson had been riding high after averaging over six yards per carry in the previous three weeks and scoring at least one touchdown in each of those games. However, against Ole Miss, he struggled to get anything going on the ground, averaging just 2.6 yards per carry on 14 attempts.

This was a tough game for Jackson, who had been expected to play a big role in Florida’s offense. The Rebels’ defense made it difficult for Jackson to find running lanes, and the Gators’ offense wasn’t able to rely on him in the same way it had in previous weeks. Despite the struggles, Jackson is a talented back, and it’s likely that he will bounce back in future games. But for now, his stock takes a slight dip following an underwhelming performance in such an important game.

The Florida Gators’ win over Ole Miss was a massive step forward for Billy Napier and the team as a whole. It marked their second straight upset win against a ranked opponent and solidified their place in a bowl game. Key players like Montrell Johnson Jr., Caleb Banks, and Bryce Thornton showed out in a big way, while Lane Kiffin and Ja’Kobi Jackson saw their stocks drop after the game. With the season still ongoing, there’s plenty of room for more surprises, but for now, the Gators can bask in the glow of their hard-fought victory and look forward to what’s next.