Florida College Football Power Rankings: Week 5

For the first time this season, week 4 brought inter-state matchups with UCF and Miami hosting Florida International and Florida Atlantic. While both of the home teams won, the losses for FIU and FAU brings changes at the bottom of the power rankings. With such, let’s cover who ranks at both the top and bottom of the ‘Sunshine Seven’ through one-third of the season.

#1. Central Florida Knights (LW: 1), Week 4 Result: 56-36 W vs. Florida Atlantic, Next Week: vs. Pittsburgh

Home of a top 10 offense, the UCF Knights continued their nation-leading winning streak with a win against Florida Atlantic. Now at 16 games, the last time UCF lost was the Cure Bowl in December of 2016. The Knights have continued to get Heisman-caliber play from McKenzie Milton, who scored 6 total touchdowns against FAU.

#2. Miami-Florida Hurricanes (LW: 2), Week 4 Result: 31-17 W vs. Florida International, Next Week: vs. North Carolina

The N’Kosi Perry era may finally start in Coral Gables. After just two series, Mark Richt turned to the redshirt freshman quarterback, who immediately sparked the Hurricanes offense into second gear. After throwing for 224 yards and 3 touchdowns, there looks to be a quarterback competition brewing. On the defensive side of the ball, the Hurricanes have continued their domination, allowing just 187 yards of total offense to Florida International.

#3. South Florida Bulls (LW: 3), Week 4 Result: 20-13 W vs. East Carolina, Next Week: @ UMass

While USF being undefeated after four weeks isn’t surprising, the Bulls being the third best team in Florida is. The Bulls have achieved sustained success from quarterback with Blake Barnett under center, which has helped the team defeat two Big-10 teams and Georgia Tech. While the Bulls have an easy matchup against Massachussets, Charlie Strong and company can’t take them for granted.

#4. Florida Gators (LW: 6), Week 4 Result: 47-21 W @ Tennessee, Next Week: @ Mississippi State

The Dan Mullen show is off to a good start in Gainesville. Despite the loss to Kentucky, the Gators have gotten good play Felipe Franks, who has thrown for 12 touchdowns and their defense, which allows just 16 points per game. While their schedule obviously gets harder, it’s a nice start for the Gators’ rebuild.

#5. Florida Atlantic Owls (LW: 4), Week 4 Result: 56-36 L @ Central Florida, Next Week: @ Middle Tennessee

While Lane Kiffin and company have not looked electrifying in their out of conference games, they were good enough to win two and hang around with the 16th ranked UCF Knights. Despite the relatively poor quarterback play from Chris Robison, the offense has gotten sustained success from the Devin Singletary lead running game.

#6. Florida State Seminoles (LW: 7), Week 4 Result: 37-19 W vs. Northern Illinois, Next Week: @ Louisville

Despite sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic division of the ACC, the Seminoles sit 6th in the power rankings. While it may not be because of their performance, getting a win is a nice building block as the Seminoles look to turn around their 0-2 conference start with some sustained success.

#7. Florida International Panthers (LW: 6), Week 4 Result: 31-14 L @ Miami, Next Week: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

The Panthers are last on this list for one reason: a horrible week 4 showing. Despite sharing the same record as the Seminoles, the Panthers had just 187 yards of offense and allowed 488 yards, most coming with a backup quarterback who has little game experience in the game. While FIU gets a nice tune-up game in week 5, the C-USA gauntlet isn't looking pretty for the Panthers.