Florida College Football Power Rankings: Week Eight

After nearly ten straight years with a state of Florida team in the rankings, the state is once again unrepresented in the AP Top 25 Poll. In all likelihood, that streak will continue unless the Gators pull off an upset over college football’s number one, Georgia. That being said and despite the skid, Miami flashed some promise in a victory over NC State where quarterback, Tyler Van Dyke, had his welcome to the show moment. FSU also has remained steady as they earned their third straight victory as they prepare for an ACC test against Clemson.

It now appears that UCF, FAU, and USF duke it out as they all secured victories this past week. FIU, on the other hand, loses once again.

Below is the current state of the state of Florida football Week Eight rankings:

1: Florida Gators (4-3) (Previous: 1st)

Ranking: 35rd (AP Top 25 - 3 votes), 33rd (USA Today Coaches Poll - 13 votes); 45th (The Athletic Power Rankings); 30th (CBS Sports Power Rankings)
Week Eight Result: BYE WEEK
Week Nine Matchup: vs. Georgia #1 (7-0) (+14.0)

Frustrations are growing in Gainesville over head coach, Dan Mullen, as they head into Jacksonville to face the nation’s number one, Georgia. However, there is reason for optimism as redshirt freshman quarterback, Anthony Richardson, should get solid playing time against the Bulldogs. The Gators best game of the season was actually a two-point loss against Alabama, as their wins have been against inferior competition. After two straight losses to Kentucky and LSU, the Gators need to keep it tight against Georgia to remain respectable. Luckily for Florida, the schedule after this weekend is easy but they should not get their hopes up for a high-quality bowl game.

2: Miami Hurricanes (3-4) (Previous: 4th)

Ranking: 62nd (The Athletic Power Rankings); 55th (CBS Sports Power Rankings)
Week Eight Result: 31-30 Win over NC State
Week Nine Matchup: @ Pittsburgh #17 (6-1) (+9.0)

Second-year freshman quarterback, Tyler Van Dyke, backed up the talk against NC State in a close 31-30 victory. However, Miami now faces the nation’s 17th best, Pittsburgh, and need to keep the momentum going in order to keep their ACC Coastal hopes alive.

3: Florida State Seminoles (3-4) (Previous: 2nd)

Ranking: 69th (The Athletic Power Rankings); 74th (CBS Sports Power Rankings)
Week Eight Result: 59-3 Win over UMass
Week Nine Matchup: @ Clemson (4-3) (+10.0)

FSU heads into Death Valley against the Clemson Tigers rolling with a three-game winning streak. Dual-threat QB, Jordan Travis, has apparently found his own as the starting quarterback for the Seminoles. During the three-game win streak, Travis has accounted for 11 total touchdowns (five passing and six rushing), as well as 711 total yards. Travis has at least one rushing and one passing touchdown in six of his nine games as starting quarterback. Clemson is clearly on a bit of a skid, but an FSU win against Dabo Swinney and company would be a quality victory.

4: UCF Knights (4-3) (Previous: 3rd)

Ranking: 53rd (The Athletic Power Rankings); 62nd (CBS Sports Power Rankings)
Week Eight Result: 24-7 Win over Memphis
Week Nine Matchup: @ Temple (4-3) (-10.5)

After tough matchups against Cincinnati, which resulted in a blowout loss, an East Carolina nailbiter victory, and losses to Navy and Louisville, UCF needed a nice win, which they got against Memphis, 24-7. After being hampered by injury the past few weeks, transfer running back, Isaiah Bowser, looked back to form with 26 carries for 111 yards. True freshman, Mikey Keene, only threw for 63 yards but was 11-for-19 in a conservative approach. The Knights also utilized dual threat junior quarterback, Joey Gatewood, and could employ a two-QB system moving forward. Linebacker, Tatum Bethune, has flashed the entire season and did again this past week with nine tackles and one sack. UCF now faces Temple who just lost to USF 34-14.

On a bright note, UCF landed commitments from twins, Ja’Cari and Demari Henderson, who land as defensive backs for the Knights.

5: Florida Atlantic Owls (4-3) (Previous: 5th)

Ranking: 80th (The Athletic Power Rankings); 73rd (CBS Sports Power Rankings)
Week Eight Result: 38-9 Win over Charlotte
Week Nine Matchup: vs. UTEP (6-1)(-10.5)

FAU bounced back from a tough loss to UAB with a statement victory in Charlotte. The win was just hours after they announced they would be leaving Conference USA. Former Miami quarterback, N’Kosi Perry, had a strong performance (9-for-11 for 225 yards and three touchdowns) after the Owls entered the second half down 9-7.

6: South Florida Bulls (2-5) (Previous: 6th)

Ranking: 115th (The Athletic Power Rankings); 112th (CBS Sports Power Rankings)
Week Eight Result: 34-14 Win over Temple
Week Nine Matchup: @ East Carolina (3-4) (+9.5)

USF ran all over Temple last week in a 34-14 win where they got 421 yards on the ground. The trio of Jaren Mangham, Kelley Joiner, and Brian Battie collected 355 yards on 52 carries (6.8 yards per rush). Freshman quarterback, Timmy McClain continues to build rapport with freshman wideout Jimmy Horn Jr. as McClain went an efficient 10-for-13 for 71 yards and a score, while Horn Jr. had seven receptions for 56 yards.

7: Florida International Panthers (1-6) (Previous: 7th)

Ranking: 126th (The Athletic Power Rankings); 126th (CBS Sports Power Rankings)
Week Eight Result: 34-19 Loss to Western Kentucky
Week Nine Matchup: @ Marshall (+21.5)

Since beating Miami 30-24 in 2019 at Marlins Park, the Panthers are 1-13 overall and 0-11 against Major/Mid-Major opponents. Head coach, Butch Davis, has some young talent on its roster, assuming they can retain their recruits.