History has again been made in the Southeastern Conference, as the last team in the NCAA Tournament has advanced to the prestigious College World Series. This time, it’s not Mike Bianco and the Ole Miss Rebels; it’s the Florida Gators making their way back to Omaha for the 14th and second time in consecutive years—a testament to their enduring legacy and the strength of their program.

Some left the Gators for dead after their disappointing season, with thirteen Southeastern Conference wins and a terrible mid-week record; the Gators showed this past weekend that none of that matters once you get in the postseason. Florida had done what Ole Miss did a few years ago when the Rebels won the National Championship for the first time in school history. Like Ole Miss, Florida came into the 2024 NCAA Tournament as a seed, having to go on the road the entire Tournament against teams that had earned the right to play at home.

Florida’s journey in the NCAA Tournament began in the Stillwater Regional last weekend, where they demonstrated unparalleled resilience. They fought tooth and nail, defying the odds and emerging from the losers’ bracket to claim victory in the Stillwater Regional. This hard-fought win earned them a shot at the formidable Clemson Tigers in the Super Regional.

Florida won game one of the Clemson Super Regional by a margin of 10-7, sending a shockwave through the Tigers’ program and creating an unreal environment in Clemson on Sunday.

Sunday rolled around, and Florida came into the matchup with Clemson playing with house money, knowing the Gators would get the Tigers’ best shot. Sunday delivered an instant classic, a Super Regional Championship filled with all the drama and excitement that the Gators expected to see from the Tigers. However, as fate would have it, Florida walked off the Clemson Tigers in the bottom of the 13th inning, scoring two runs to overcome the one-run deficit and secure their place in the College World Series.

Despite the noise, the Gators showed great endurance over the last two weeks, showcasing the talent on the roster and proving to people that Florida still belonged in the conversation about National Championship contending teams. After all, Florida took LSU all three games last season in the College World Series Finals; they’re finally living up to the hype many expected to see from the Gators all season.

As the Gators turn the page to the College World Series in Omaha, no team in the field wants to face the Gators at this moment. Florida is finally showcasing the expectations that surrounded the program in the preseason. This Florida team is not only good enough to compete in Omaha, but the Gators are now one of the favorites to win the National Championship, repeating the history from 2022.

Florida will await the winner of the College Station Super Regional. They will play Texas A&M or Oregon on Saturday afternoon in Omaha.