FLA Power Ranking Week 3: The Big 4?

How the Teams are Rated

The rankings of each team are based on weekly performances as well as their overall results from the current season. A team may have more talent than another on the list but if they're not getting wins and putting up solid statistics, they won't be rated higher.

1 - FSU 2-0 (1-0), Last Weeks Rank - 1

Week 3 Opponent: 62-7 win verse Nevada

Week 4 Opponent: Bethune-Cookman

Comments from Week 3:

FSU started slow verse Nevada by only scoring 3 points in the opening quarter but got back to their touchdown ways by putting up 45 in the second half and tallying a final bludgeoning of 62-7.

Look for another solid week from the Noles when they take on the streaking Bethune-Cookman Wildcats who just upset (if you call it that) FIU.

Sorry guys, not much to say about FSU. They keep beating who they're supposed to so we just have to wait and see. They play Boston College in two weeks so there's that I guess?

2 - University of Miami 2-0, (0-0), Last Weeks Rank - 2

Week 3: Bye Week

Week 4 Opponent: Savannah State

Comments from Week 3:

UM had a quiet week as they were able to rest up and get ready for their next three game stretch with Savannah, USF and GT before another bye week. The next two weeks should be pretty straight forward for the Canes due to their opponents being not as talented (Savannah) and a new coach trying to right the ship from the previous regime (USF). If Miami can get its offense synced up and keep their defense humming, watch out for the GT game, should be a good one!

3 - University of Central Florida 3-0, (0-0), Last Weeks Rank - 3

Week 3 Opponent: 34 - 31 win verse Penn State at Happy Valley

Week 4 Opponent: South Carolina

At certain points in a coaching regime you have make-or-break games, or as some call them program builders or games that can cost you your job (you hear that Bo Pelini). Last week's win, against a B1G team in a hostile environment could spring board Coach O'Leary and the Knights into many national conversations about a dark horse candidate that could put college football on full tilt later this season. The reasons are self-explanatory.. They fight on defense; get solid quarterback play from their senior leader and grind teams into submission with Storm Johnson in the running game.

You can only hope that UCF can come out ready for their next opponent, South Carolina. They play at home and I'd expect their stadium to be sold out and rocking when they welcome the ‘Ole Ball Coach to town.

4 - University of Florida 1-1, (0-0), Last Weeks Rank - 4

Week 3: Bye Week

Week 4 Opponent: Tennessee

Three things went right this week for the Gators: they were able to rest up, get more time to define their offensive game plan for the rest of the season and are welcoming the Tennessee Volunteers to the comfy confines of "The Swamp." Tennessee just got crushed by Oregon 59-14 so this should be a good warm-up for UF when it comes to SEC play...at least, Gator fans hope so..

5 - Florida Atlantic 1-2, (0-1), Last Weeks Rank - 5

Week 3 Opponent: 28 - 10 win verse South Florida in Tampa

Week 4 Opponent: Middle Tennessee

Coach Carl Pelini started the season with a three Quarterback rotation and it seemed that during the game last week he has settled on one moving forward, Jaquez Johnson the sophomore transfer. Now, that doesn't mean he was that overly effective or overtook the two other competitors to win the job, he finished the game going just 10-17 while throwing 98 yards and one interception (he also ran for 55 yards so there's that). From what I can tell, he runs the offense better than the other two, which isn't saying much but still..

Middle Tennessee is another in conference opponent so we'll have to see how the Owls play. Not much is known about the Blue Raiders due to the fact that they've beaten Western Carolina and Memphis but got steam rolled by UNC 40-20 so all that can be promised is that this could be an interesting watch between two teams who are on an equal playing field talent wise.

6 - Florida International 0-2 (0-2), Last Weeks Rank - 7

Week 3 Opponent: 34 - 13 loss to Bethune-Cookman

Week 4 Opponent: Louisville

Where to begin, where to begin.. Bethune-Cookman, a Div 1-AA team blew past the Panthers. It wasn't even close. Three running backs for the Wild Cats rushed for over 69 yards in the game and the leader in the stable finished with 150 yards, combined they scored 4 touchdowns. Needless to say BC didn't have to throw the ball (which they didn't, they threw it 11 times all game) to be successful so they stayed with what was working and gashed the Panthers for 311 total rushing yards and ran out the clock. When FIU did have the ball they did little with it going for a little over 220 yards of total offense.

Next week's opponent, Louisville, could make FIU unwatchable. If I were a betting man (where's John Pickens!!) I'd put the spread at 56 and dare people to take the points on this one. Louisville has more talent at their third string than FIU does starting. This could get ugly within the first 10 minutes of play.

7 - South Florida 0-3 (0-0), Last Weeks Rank - 6

Week 3 Opponent: 28 - 10 loss verse Florida Atlantic

Week 4: Bye Week

Deflated. That's the best term that can be used for the Bulls right now. The thing about the contest verse FAU is if you look at the stats, it wasn't all that bad. They went for 167 rushing yards and gained 297 total yards of offense to FAU's 228. It just comes back to the turnovers again. They lost two fumbles and threw yet another pick and you can't do that when you're struggling like these bottom three teams are. What is mostly demoralizing in my opinion about USF is that they can't seem to settle on a Quarterback. They've mixed and matched with Bobby Eveld and Matt Floyd the first two games and now they've added the transfer from Penn State, Steven Bench into the fray. I think the link best describes what I think of their offensive decision making but hey, I could be wrong.

In the bye they look to sure up their defense as best they can and maybe, just maybe settle on a Quarterback for the rest of the season. We'll have to see what's in store for them because out of their break they play our Miami Hurricanes.