Sunshine Seven Week 4: Nowhere to Run

Opening Thoughts

Miami, FSU and USF on Bye Weeks

All three teams took the early season bye week with much elation. Miami and FSU used it to rest up players for the upcoming slog which would be the midseason blitz of tough in-conference opponents. USF took the time to again try and instill their offensive identity.

Tennessee Manages to Squander Late Lead to Florida

In a game that was roughly equal in all statistical categories it was many late game decisions by Tennessee Volunteers Coach Butch Jones that led to the Gators coming away with a victory at home. Heading into the week Florida had to suspend on again off again starting quarterback Treon Harris for a "team violation" so the offense was firmly placed in the hands of Will Grier. The freshman didn't disappoint putting together his best work of the young season going 23 for 42 for 283 yards and two scores. I would say this may entrench him as the starter going forward but the fact of the matter is the SEC is extremely tough to navigate, especially with a freshman at the helm of the offense.

FAU Claws Out a Victory Against Upstart Charlotte

Any victory is a good victory, especially your first one on the season.  Coach Charlie Partridge and his staff have to be wondering what they have to do to get this offense going because the ground and pound simply isn't working. In the 17-7 victory over newly formed 1A Charlotte, FAU ran the ball 45 times for 61 yards (wait.. what?). Throwing the ball didn't go too much better either. The often accurate and efficient Jaquez Johnson completed only 14 of his 25 passes for a meager 144 yards. They didn't play against the '85 bears so odds are things are going to have to improve moving forward if FAU wants to threaten for a bowl bid.

FIU Starts Cold In Conference Opener Losing to Louisiana Tech

FIU maybe starting to wilt back to their former selves... Against a well-coached Louisiana Tech team the Panthers gave up 246 yards on the ground and 226 yards through the air to often maligned quarterback Jeff Driskel (yes, the one you're thinking of). The only bright spot for Ron Turner and his staff is that it looks like their starting quarterback, Alex McGough maybe having a potential all conference season. He's currently on pace for over 3,000 yards through the air as well as posting potentially 25+ touchdowns.

ESPN Says it Best: UCF Stands for "University of Cataclysmic Failure"

There isn't much to say passed reading the above headline but give you an update.. UCF went into Columbia and had a very good chance of stealing a victory against an SEC opponent. South Carolina for whatever reason this season is a shell of their former self but the Knights couldn't capitalize on early mistakes by the Gamecocks and lost yet again. The one potential bright spot in this game was that it looks like they've settled on their starting quarterback, Bo Schneider but... Their running game is atrocious. After dismissing their potential all conference running back mid-week UCF gained a paltry, pathetic 26 yards on 23 carries. Their next contest will be a true watershed game on potentially how far they've fallen as they take on hapless Tulane in Louisiana.

1- Miami: 3-0, 0-0

Next Week's Opponent: @Cincinnati

Last Week's Opponent: BYE WEEK

2- Florida State: 3-0, 1-0

Next Week's Opponent: @Wake Forest

Last Week's Opponent: BYE WEEK

3- Florida: 4-0, 2-0

Next Week's Opponent: Ole Miss

Last Week's Opponent: Tennessee, Won 28-27

4- Florida International University: 2-2, 0-1

Next Week's Opponent: @UMASS

Last Week's Opponent: @Louisiana Tech, Lost 27-17

5- South Florida: 1-2, 0-0

Next Week's Opponent: Memphis

Last Week's Opponent: BYE WEEK

6- Florida Atlantic University: 1-3, 1-0

Next Week's Opponent: BYE WEEK

Last Week's Opponent: @Charlotte, Won 17-7

7- Central Florida 0-4, 0-0

Next Week's Opponent: @Tulane

Last Week's Opponent: @South Carolina, Lost 31-14

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