It took a while, but we finally have some semblance of delineation that doesn’t just involve “Miami and all the rest.”
Granted, the line is blurred and frayed, mainly because we’re not quite sure what to make of UCF just yet. Since we’re banking on the Knights this week, there’s still hope they can eventually leapfrog into the “doesn’t stink” division. Actually, we’re banking on West Virginia, and more on that below.
But after UCF at No. 4, things go south in a hurry with our three F’s — the I, the A and the S.
And here’s where it gets really weird: All three of them — the Panthers, Owls and Seminoles — will win this week. No kidding.
TOM HERMAN DEPARTS:Lane Kiffin’s stock rises as another FAU coach is fired. Florida football rankings, picks
Ranking Florida’s college teams, Miami Hurricanes through FSU Seminoles
1. Miami Hurricanes (9-1)
Last week: (Ranked 1) Off. This week: Wake Forest at home. What’s up: The ’Canes lost to a Georgia Tech team whose injured quarterback couldn’t throw the ball from me to you. Miami didn’t win its first nine games due to its defense. The pick: Canes 42, Deacons 40.
2. Florida Gators (5-5)
Last week: (4) Beat LSU, 27-16. This week: Ole Miss at home. What’s up: Never thought the term “Gritty Gators” would ever be tossed around. The on-and-off optimism returned after beating LSU last week. But here’s to the feeling Florida caught the Tigers in mid-spiral with their chute tangled. The pick: Rebs 29, Gators 17.
3. USF Bulls (5-5)
Last week: (2) Beat Charlotte, 59-24. This week: Tulsa at home. What’s up: Tulsa’s run defense is slightly less bad than its pass defense, and the Bulls love to run it. That’ll keep this one interesting for a little while. The pick: Bulls 36, Golden Hurricane 20.
4. UCF Knights (4-6)
Last week: (3) Off. This week: At West Virginia. What’s up: The biggest thing in UCF’s favor is WVU’s apparent desire to see just how much they can anger the Morgantown faithful this season — 1-4 at home against FBS teams. Honest question: Can you burn a couch in frustration, or just in celebration? The pick: Knights 43, Mountaineers 40.
5. FIU Panthers (3-7)
Last week: (5) Lost to Jacksonville State, 34-31. This week: At Kennesaw State. What’s up: Kennesaw is the other “other” Owls out there. Who knew? Their only win was a big upset over Liberty in what’s looking more shocking by the week. Kennesaw fired the only head coach it’s ever known, Brian Bohannon, in a move that shocked and angered many, given his solid history there. FIU hasn’t won more than four games since 2019 but has an honest shot to get there. The pick: Panthers 27, Other Other Owls 23.
6. FAU, the original Other Owls (2-8)
Last week: (6) Lost to Temple, 18-15, in OT. This week: Charlotte at home. What’s up: The fact FAU has a shot to win this week tells you there’s just a lot of bad football teams out there. Doesn’t seem like everyone is 2-and-something or 3-and-something? Oh well, let’s say FAU somehow joins Charlotte among the 3-and-somethings The pick: Owls 16, Niners 14.
7. FSU Seminoles (1-9)
Last week: (7) Off. This week: Charleston Southern at home. What’s up: Oh, stop it. I know what you’re thinking but it’s just not happening. This ain’t Montana State or even Villanova swooping in from the FCS to further humiliate the ’Noles. Consider it a social experiment as we watch what happens when a 1-win FBC hosts a 1-win FCS. The pick: ’Noles 25, Buccaneers 9.
