Florida College Football Power Rankings: Week 3

For Florida teams, week 2 seemed like a nice recovery. Overall, the ‘Sunshine Seven’ went 6-1 with the only loss going to Florida, who were defeated by Kentucky. These week 2 results have resulted in a few changes at the bottom part of the power rankings.

#1. Central Florida (UCF) Knights (LW: 1), Week 2 Result: 38-0 W vs. South Carolina State, Next Week: BYE

UCF retains their top spot following a blowout win over FCS foe South Carolina State for obvious reasons. While other teams had more impressive wins in week 2, UCF is the only undefeated team in Florida and haven’t proved anything to lose their top spot. Despite the poor performance from McKenzie Milton (243 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT), he is still one of the top quarterbacks in college football and the best in the state. UCF is off for week 3 after their scheduled game against North Carolina was canceled due to Hurricane Florence.

#2. Miami Hurricanes (LW: 2), Week 2 Result: 77-0 W vs. Savannah State, Next Week: @ Toledo

Week 2 for the Miami Hurricanes brought the induction of the new turnover chain and a blowout win for the Hurricanes. Among the impressive performances for the Hurricanes was true freshmen Lorenzo Lingard and Brevin Jordan, who both produced two touchdowns. Week 3 brings a trip to the Glass Bowl, as the Hurricanes will look to fend off Toledo.

#3. South Florida (USF) Bulls (LW: 5), Week 2 Result: 49-38 W vs. Georgia Tech, Next Week: @ Illinois

Down 31-28 going into the 4th quarter, the Bulls scored 21 points to defeat Georgia Tech seemingly comfortably. Among the impressive performances for USF was quarterback Blake Barnett, who finished with 300 all-purpose yards and 4 total touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown in the 4th quarter. While week 4 gets a little easier for USF, a match-up against B10’s Illinois will not be an easy match-up.

#4. Florida Atlantic (FAU) Owls (LW: 7), Week 2 Result: 33-27 W vs. Air Force, Next Week: vs. Bethune-Cookman

After being embarrassed by Oklahoma in Norman, the FAU Owls recovered with a record-setting week 2. Not only was it FAU’s first win over a service academy, Chris Robison also broke FAU’s single-game passing yard record, throwing for 471 yards and 3 touchdown. Despite the poor showing from Devin ‘Motor’ Singletary (16 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD), FAU is on an upward trend for the rest of the season.

#5. Florida International (FIU) Panthers (LW: 6), Week 2 Result: 28-20 W @ Old Dominion, Next Week: vs. UMass

FIU’s win over Old Dominion in week 2 was rather disappointing. Down 17 in the second quarter, FIU was forced to comeback on the back of James Morgan’s 3 touchdown performance. FIU will need to bounce-back in Week 3 because Week 4 carries a big test against the Hurricanes.

#6. Florida State Seminoles (LW: 4), Week 2 Result: 36-26 W vs. Samford, Next Week: @ Syracuse

Most of week 2 seemed like the opening week for FSU: a major disappointment. It was not until late in the 4th quarter where the Seminoles took the lead and eventually won the game. Willie Taggart and the Seminoles will continue ACC conference play in week 3 against Syracuse and are in massive need of an identity as the season doesn’t get any easier.

#7. Florida Gators (LW: 3), Week 2 Result: 27-16 L vs. Kentucky, Next Week: vs. Colorado State

In what was one of the most surprising results of the 2018 season, the Gators were defeated by Kentucky for the first time in 31 games. Despite the long losing streak for Kentucky, the Wildcats finished with 303 yards rushing, including a 175 yard performance from Benny Snell Jr.. Overall, the Gators looked lethargic on both sides of the ball and were simply outplayed by Kentucky in the Swamp. The Gators have questions to answer going into the middle of the season and Colorado State could provide issues if the Gators start slow out the gates.