The Gators competed in Division I-A of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus.

They were coached by Steve Spurrier, who led the Gators to their sixth SEC championship, a Sugar Bowl berth, and an overall win–loss record of 10–3 (.769).

[15][16] [17] September 30, 2000 The Florida Gators came into Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi ranked third in the nation.

Mississippi State won the game 47–35, breaking Florida's 72-game winning streak against unranked teams in front of a crowd of 43,816.

After the game, the Mississippi State fans stormed the field and tore down the goal posts, parts of which ended up all over campus.