Sunshine Seven: Week 2 Review

Weekly Observation

Cupcakes for everyone!

The Sunshine Seven essentially took the week off. The big three played patsies and posted solid wins for their respective programs. Of the other four programs, USF took the week off and FAU got pounded by one of the best teams of the decade. Overall, an unspectacular week.

However, there is a calm before the storm in the state. No, I’m not talking about the multiple tropical storms off the west and east coasts. I’m talking about their future opponents! FSU plays Clemson next week (has a bye this week), UCF hosts Mizzou and Florida is taking on their first SEC opponent, Kentucky.

Florida State

LAST WEEKS RANK: 1

THIS WEEKS RANK: 1

SCORE: Florida State 37 – Liberty 12

THOUGHTS:

With Clemson coming into Doak Campbell next weekend (the 20^th) the Noles decided to schedule a cupcake in Liberty. The score doesn’t dictate the way this game was played. FSU dominated from beginning to end. This was the type of contest where the starters were out by the end of the 3^rd quarter and backups got quality minutes at the end of the game.

Florida

LAST WEEKS RANK: 2

THIS WEEKS RANK: 2

SCORE: Florida 65 – Eastern Michigan 0

THOUGHTS:

Unlike FSU, Florida poured the points on EMU from beginning to end with no mercy. Guess Muschamp needed to rack up the "points for" category before he bears the brunt of the SEC schedule. What we did learn this week was that the Gators look to have a three pronged rushing attack. Kelvin Taylor and Matt Jones each rushed eight times for 68 and 65 yards respectively. Lastly, Mack Brown had six rushing attempts for 58 yards. This upcoming weekend the Gators play their first SEC game against the Kentucky Wildcats. Are the Gators ready for SEC action or will the week off during the opening act have hurt their chances? We’ll find out after Saturday.

University of Miami

LAST WEEKS RANK: 4

THIS WEEKS RANK: 3

SCORE: Miami 41 – FAMU 7

THOUGHTS:

Another Florida team playing another cupcake opponent in FAMU. Miami rolled in this game as they took most of their starters out in the second half and got backups valuable reps. Kaaya looked slightly better in this contest against deficient competition but will be put to the test this weekend against the upstart Arkansas State Red Wolves.

Central Florida

LAST WEEKS RANK: 3

THIS WEEKS RANK: 4

SCORE: BYE WEEK

THOUGHTS:

With their QB situation quickly settled UCF is looking forward to yet another tough challenge from an out of conference opponent, Missouri. They had a bye week to prepare for the SEC opponent so we’ll see if their stalwart defense can cover the aerial attack that the Tigers employ.

South Florida

LAST WEEKS RANK: 5

THIS WEEKS RANK: 5

SCORE: USF 17 – Maryland 24

THOUGHTS:

USF is the early lead for the "Weirdest Game of the Sunshine Seven" Award. On the first offensive series.. actually, the first offensive play for the Bulls, they lost their starting QB Mike White for the game on a rough hit. Even though the backup came in the Bulls hung tough with the Terps notching a 17-14 lead heading into the 4^th quarter. However, the backup QB for USF, Steven Bench, was incredibly inefficient posting 14-36, 162 yards and a pick. In the fourth quarter the Terps scored a touchdown on a blocked punt and later posted a field goal to salt the game away 24-17. If Mike White doesn’t come back, this season could quickly devolve into a disaster.

Florida Atlantic

LAST WEEKS RANK: 6

THIS WEEKS RANK: 6

SCORE: FAU 0 – Nebraska 41

THOUGHTS:

Another top 25 team, another shalacking posted against the Owls. So far this season FAU has been outscored 96-7. Nice. Can coach Partridge stay out of the cellar of the state? We’ll have to see because… Damn.

Florida International

LAST WEEKS RANK: 7

THIS WEEKS RANK: 7

SCORE: FIU 34 – Wagner

THOUGHTS:

But… But NoVA!! How can FIU be taking up the rear again if they won last week? Good question, audience.

Wagner is an FCS opponent and.. they are terrible. Their last championship was in the 1980s when they were in Division III for football. They also don’t put a heavy emphasis on football as their stadium on Staten Island seats only 3,300 people. So even though FIU will be atrocious most of the year they almost HAD to win this game.

Sunshine Seven Season Ranks