College Football 2020: 5 things we learn from Week 15 action

(Photo by Brad McClenny/USA TODAY Network)
(Photo by Brad McClenny/USA TODAY Network) /
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Dec 12, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen talks to the officials during a game against the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Dec. 12, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK
Dec 12, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen talks to the officials during a game against the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Dec. 12, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK /

4. Florida is no longer a playoff threat

We learned on Saturday the Gators are likely out of the College Football Playoff discussion.

Florida entered Saturday’s home game against LSU as the overwhelming favorite. The Gators left the game wishing they hadn’t played it at all.

During the press conference after his team 37-34 loss, Dan Mullen suggested that it would have been better for his team not to have played so many games this year, because he feels other teams are being rewarded for not playing 10-11. He may have a point, however no one wants to hear that, after his team lost to an LSU team in turmoil that were barely able to field 50 scholarship players on Saturday.

What makes this loss even more agonizing for Mullen is that his defense forced a fourth down late in the fourth quarter, and were in position to get the ball back with enough time to score, but cornerback Marco Wilson decided to throw a LSU player’s shoe across the field, leading to a personal foul penalty. That penalty helped set LSU up for a game-winning field goal.

Even if Florida is able to win the SEC championship, their hopes of a playoff appearance are likely over after Saturday.