Welcome to the final week of the regular season.
1. Central Florida Knights (10-0, 6-0 AAC) (Last Week: 1)
Last Week: vs Cincinnati Bearcats (9-2) W 38-13
Next opponent: at South Florida Bulls (7-4)
UCF was able to show off in front of a national audience last week. During the premiere game of the week, the Knights pummeled the visiting Bearcats. If you just looked at the box score, you would think this would have been a close game. UCF had only 23 more total yards of offense, Cincinnati had two more first downs, and the Bearcats held the ball for over 37 minutes of game time. Despite what the stats show, anyone who watched the game knew who the better team was.
2. Florida Gators (8-3, 5-2 SEC) (Last Week: 2)
Last Week: vs Idaho Vandals (4-7) W (63-10)
Next opponent: at Florida State Seminoles (6-5)
The Gators did exactly what they were supposed to do in this one. The overmatched Vandals could not get anything going on offense, as they could only muster up 227 yards the entire game. Florida on the other hand threw for just under 400 yards and ran for 200. Florida will look to carry that momentum into their annual matchup with the Seminoles next weekend.
3. South Florida Bulls (7-4, 3-4 AAC) (Last Week: 3)
Last week: at Temple Owls - L (27-17)
Next opponent: vs Central Florida Knights (10-0)
After the Bulls’ loss to Temple last week, USF has now lost 4 straight games. The Bulls are not just losing right now, they are getting thoroughly outplayed. Temple had more yards, more plays, more time of possession, and more first downs than the Bulls. It does not get any easier going forward, as they host the red hot UCF Knights this week to close out the regular season.
4. Miami Hurricanes (6-5, 3-4 ACC) (Last Week: 5)
Last week: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-5) - L 27-21
Next opponent: at Virginia Tech Hokies (4-5)
Man, it feels good to win. There are still a lot of issues that need to be addressed on this team, but there are a whole lot of positives also. First off, N’Kosi Perry played very well. He may have only thrown for 170 yards and two touchdowns, but that could have easily been 300 yards and four touchdowns if two drops were instead caught. Cam Davis is also emerging as a star as he now has three touchdowns over the last two weeks. Jeff Thomas also reminded everyone that he is one of the most electrifying players in the country.
5. Florida International Panthers (8-3, 5-1 CUSA) (Last Week: 6)
Last Week: at Charlotte 49ers (4-7)
Next Opponent: vs Marshall Thundering Herd (7-3)
Since FIU’s loss to FAU a couple weeks back, the Golden Panthers offense has been on fire. FIU has now scored 42 points in two straight games and put up nearly 500 yards of offense against Charlotte. This issue for Butch Davis remains to be the defense who gave up 534 yards to Charlotte. Despite all the defense’s struggles, FIU can still win double digit games this year.
6. Florida State Seminoles (5-6, 3-5 ACC) (Last Week: 7)
Last Week: vs Boston College Eagles (7-4) W 22-21
Next Opponent: vs Florida Gators (8-3)
The Seminoles were able to pull off a comeback win over Boston College last week in exciting fashion. Tamorrion Terry’s 74 yard touchdown grab from Deondre Francois was just enough to life the Noles over the Eagles. However, it was not the prettiest game offensively. Francois and Brown both had two interceptions and neither offense found a rhythm all day. FSU will put their bowl streak on the line this Saturday against rival Florida.
7. Florida Atlantic Owls (5-6, 3-4 CUSA) (Last Week: 4)
Last Week: at North Texas Mean Green (8-3) L 41-38
Next Opponent: vs Charlotte 49ers (4-7)
FAU winning streak came to an end last week in Texas. There was no shortage of firepower in this one as there was 1,000 yards of total offense. Despite poor overall performances by the defenses, both of those units were able to force two interceptions. These two teams are extremely even and that was proven on Saturday. FAU needs to fix their defense if they want to become bowl eligible.
1. Central Florida Knights (10-0, 6-0 AAC) (Last Week: 1)
Last Week: vs Cincinnati Bearcats (9-2) W 38-13
Next opponent: at South Florida Bulls (7-4)
UCF was able to show off in front of a national audience last week. During the premiere game of the week, the Knights pummeled the visiting Bearcats. If you just looked at the box score, you would think this would have been a close game. UCF had only 23 more total yards of offense, Cincinnati had two more first downs, and the Bearcats held the ball for over 37 minutes of game time. Despite what the stats show, anyone who watched the game knew who the better team was.
2. Florida Gators (8-3, 5-2 SEC) (Last Week: 2)
Last Week: vs Idaho Vandals (4-7) W (63-10)
Next opponent: at Florida State Seminoles (6-5)
The Gators did exactly what they were supposed to do in this one. The overmatched Vandals could not get anything going on offense, as they could only muster up 227 yards the entire game. Florida on the other hand threw for just under 400 yards and ran for 200. Florida will look to carry that momentum into their annual matchup with the Seminoles next weekend.
3. South Florida Bulls (7-4, 3-4 AAC) (Last Week: 3)
Last week: at Temple Owls - L (27-17)
Next opponent: vs Central Florida Knights (10-0)
After the Bulls’ loss to Temple last week, USF has now lost 4 straight games. The Bulls are not just losing right now, they are getting thoroughly outplayed. Temple had more yards, more plays, more time of possession, and more first downs than the Bulls. It does not get any easier going forward, as they host the red hot UCF Knights this week to close out the regular season.
4. Miami Hurricanes (6-5, 3-4 ACC) (Last Week: 5)
Last week: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-5) - L 27-21
Next opponent: at Virginia Tech Hokies (4-5)
Man, it feels good to win. There are still a lot of issues that need to be addressed on this team, but there are a whole lot of positives also. First off, N’Kosi Perry played very well. He may have only thrown for 170 yards and two touchdowns, but that could have easily been 300 yards and four touchdowns if two drops were instead caught. Cam Davis is also emerging as a star as he now has three touchdowns over the last two weeks. Jeff Thomas also reminded everyone that he is one of the most electrifying players in the country.
5. Florida International Panthers (8-3, 5-1 CUSA) (Last Week: 6)
Last Week: at Charlotte 49ers (4-7)
Next Opponent: vs Marshall Thundering Herd (7-3)
Since FIU’s loss to FAU a couple weeks back, the Golden Panthers offense has been on fire. FIU has now scored 42 points in two straight games and put up nearly 500 yards of offense against Charlotte. This issue for Butch Davis remains to be the defense who gave up 534 yards to Charlotte. Despite all the defense’s struggles, FIU can still win double digit games this year.
6. Florida State Seminoles (5-6, 3-5 ACC) (Last Week: 7)
Last Week: vs Boston College Eagles (7-4) W 22-21
Next Opponent: vs Florida Gators (8-3)
The Seminoles were able to pull off a comeback win over Boston College last week in exciting fashion. Tamorrion Terry’s 74 yard touchdown grab from Deondre Francois was just enough to life the Noles over the Eagles. However, it was not the prettiest game offensively. Francois and Brown both had two interceptions and neither offense found a rhythm all day. FSU will put their bowl streak on the line this Saturday against rival Florida.
7. Florida Atlantic Owls (5-6, 3-4 CUSA) (Last Week: 4)
Last Week: at North Texas Mean Green (8-3) L 41-38
Next Opponent: vs Charlotte 49ers (4-7)
FAU winning streak came to an end last week in Texas. There was no shortage of firepower in this one as there was 1,000 yards of total offense. Despite poor overall performances by the defenses, both of those units were able to force two interceptions. These two teams are extremely even and that was proven on Saturday. FAU needs to fix their defense if they want to become bowl eligible.
