The 1985 Gators were led by second-year coach Galen Hall, after Charley Pell was fired in the previous year for violating NCAA rules. The Gators went 9-1-1 (5-1), with a tie to Rutgers and a loss to #17 Georgia.
The tie against Rutgers definitely hurt the Gators' claim to a national championship, since the Scarlet Knights finished the season 2-8-1. The loss to #17 Georgia was a stinger, as the Bulldogs finished 7-3-2 with a victory over #1 Florida, and losses to Alabama, #14 Auburn, and Georgia Tech. The national champion Oklahoma Sooners had one loss, which was to common opponent Miami, 14-27--at home. Florida had a victory over SEC champion Tennessee (Florida was not eligible) and would have put up a better fight against #2 Miami in the Sugar Bowl. Sagarin named Florida its national champion, but Florida does not claim the 1985 title nor does it claim the 1984 title. The Gators would not have another 1-loss season until 1995. The 1985 season started a drought in in Gator victories as they went on to win 6 or 7 games per season while under NCAA probation--until the arrival of one Steven Orr Spurrier.
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 7 | at Miami (FL)* | No. 5 | Orange Bowl Stadium, Miami, FL | W 35–23 | 80,227 |
| September 14 | Rutgers* | No. 3 | Florida Field, Gainesville, FL | T 28–28 | 71,708 |
| September 28 | at Mississippi State | No. 11 | Scott Field, Starkville, MS | W 36–22 | 34,588 |
| October 5 | at No. 8 LSU | No. 11 | Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA | W 20–0 | 78,598 |
| October 12 | No. 14 Tennessee | No. 7 | Florida Field, Gainesville, FL | W 17–10 | 74,432 |
| October 19 | Southwestern Louisiana*
| No. 5 | Florida Field, Gainesville, FL | W 45–0 | 74,369 |
| October 26 | Virginia Tech* | No. 2 | Florida Field, Gainesville, FL | W 35–18 | 70,119 |
| November 2 | at No. 6 Auburn | No. 2 | Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL | W 14–10 | 75,000 |
| November 9 | vs. No. 17 Georgia | No. 1 | Gator Bowl Stadium, Jacksonville, FL | L 3–24 | 82,327 |
| November 16 | Kentucky | No. 11 | Florida Field, Gainesville, FL | W 15–13 | 73,672 |
| November 30 | No. 12 Florida State* | No. 6 | Florida Field, Gainesville, FL | W 38–14 | 74,461 |
The tie against Rutgers definitely hurt the Gators' claim to a national championship, since the Scarlet Knights finished the season 2-8-1. The loss to #17 Georgia was a stinger, as the Bulldogs finished 7-3-2 with a victory over #1 Florida, and losses to Alabama, #14 Auburn, and Georgia Tech. The national champion Oklahoma Sooners had one loss, which was to common opponent Miami, 14-27--at home. Florida had a victory over SEC champion Tennessee (Florida was not eligible) and would have put up a better fight against #2 Miami in the Sugar Bowl. Sagarin named Florida its national champion, but Florida does not claim the 1985 title nor does it claim the 1984 title. The Gators would not have another 1-loss season until 1995. The 1985 season started a drought in in Gator victories as they went on to win 6 or 7 games per season while under NCAA probation--until the arrival of one Steven Orr Spurrier.
