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We're four weeks into the CFB season, and there's a good amount of takeaways that we can make at this point. Here's how the Florida Big 3 stack up four weeks in.
#1A - Miami Hurricanes
Record: 4-0 (0-0)
Last Game: W, Temple, 41-7
Total Offense: #15 out of 130 FBS Teams
Total Defense: #13 out of 130 FBS Teams
Rank: #18
Looking Ahead: Bye
Miami did what it's done all season: take care of business in a no-nonsense fashion. With its first home game on the road and terrible weather conditions, there were concerns that this game could be closer than it needed to be. Those concerns were allayed early, as Miami's offense was rolling from the get-go and Miami's defense was stout. Ultimately, Miami held Temple to just 7 points ( throw into the middle of the endzone at the end of the first half that we should've covered but blew) and a total of 11 rushing yards for the whole game. The DL played well, and Miami was also able to force three turnovers (two INTs on the day for Te'Cory Couch). Nevertheless, Miami's passing defense let up some big plays and another WR had a big game against us. That needs to be cleaned up moving forward. The passing offense was rolling though with an efficient performance from TVD, a big day from Restrepo, and an NFL catch from Colbie Young. The run offense was much of the same, with Henry Parish having a day, Don Chaney showing flashes, and our young RBs getting reps.
Miami's at 1A this week for a very clear reason: Miami's looked the part in each of its games this season, and has won each game by double digits. Of the 16 quarters of football this team has played, they've arguably only had one bad quarter (1Q of the A&M game). It's true that Miami's schedule to this point has not been as tough as that of UF or FSU. However, unlike those teams, Miami hasn't struggled against inferior competition. Miami's competition to this point (minus BCU) also doesn't look too bad under the microscope. For example, Miami-OH is 3-1, with a big win against Cincinnati in OT. A&M just got a good win against Auburn to go to 3-1. The point is, Miami is getting the job done and also isn't struggling against the Charlottes of the world. With a well-timed bye, Miami should be at full strength in its ACC Opener against Georgia Tech.
#1B - Florida State Seminoles
Record: 4-0 (2-0)
Last Game: W, Clemson, 31-24
Total Offense: #29 out of 130 FBS Teams
Total Defense: #97 out of 130 FBS Teams
Ranked: #5
Looking Ahead: Bye
FSU's win against Clemson marked an important occasion: the Noles snapped a 7 game-losing streak to Clemson. In doing so, Florida State has established itself as a favorite to make the ACC Championship game and a favorite to win it. Jordan Travis had a big performance, Keon Coleman made multiple NFL catches (including a game-winning TD in OT), and Johnny Wilson made some big-time plays. At 4-0 and as the #5 team in the country FSU is in control of its destiny. But, as Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friend." In many ways, this FSU team reminds me of the 2017 Miami Hurricanes. Just like those 2017 Hurricanes, this FSU team finds a way to win games they should probably be winning by more comfortable margins. In week 3 it was against a bad BC football team, which lost to Louisville this week by four touchdowns. You can make an argument that FSU was looking ahead to Clemson and that BC was locked in because it was their red bandana game. But it doesn't excuse coming within 2 points of losing to an unranked team you were predicted to beat by 24 points, and who barely beat FCS Holy Cross at home the week before. Not to mention, FSU benefited from 100+ yards of penalties committed by BC, including a costly facemask penalty as BC was set to get the ball back with a little over a minute in the game and only needed an FG to win.
This week, FSU got a much better opponent in Clemson. Yes, this is not the Clemson of old (Dabo Sweeney's arrogance and Duke saw that to that), but it's still a team with major talent that can give anyone a run for their money. Ultimately, the Noles pulled out a tough OT win against an opponent who came to play. But much like the BC game a week earlier, FSU benefited from game-changing mistakes and a bit of luck. FSU was able to force a crucial fumble for a scoop and score as Clemson was driving, and the Tigers missed an easy chip shot field goal wide left that would've put them on top late. The Tigers were able to force OT, but an NFL catch from Keon Coleman ultimately ended the game. Make no mistake, this is a good FSU team with elite offensive skill players, but they don't look like the unstoppable team they were in Week 1. To me, this FSU team is the reincarnation of the 2017 Miami Hurricanes. A team that finds a way to win but is ultimately living on borrowed time. Additionally, there were some worrying trend lines in this game. As of now, FSU has one of the worst defenses in the country. Additionally, FSU's offense became one-dimensional, as they were only able to rush for 22 on the ground. The Noles also struggled to convert on third down. This is a dangerous FSU team that would be favored if it played Miami right now, whether on our field or theirs. Nevertheless, this is a team whose luck will eventually run out.
#3 - Florida Gators
Record: 3-1 (1-0)
Last Game: W, Charlotte, 22-7
Total Offense: #50 out of 130 FBS Teams
Total Defense: #5 out of 130 FBS Teams
Ranked: #22
Looking Ahead: @Kentucky
Florida welcomed Charlotte to the Swamp this week and came away with a harder-than-expected W in a game they were favored to win by four touchdowns. Florida's defense continues to play the part, as it currently sits as a Top 5 Defense in the country. However, Florida's offense struggled on third down going 1/9, and while Graham Mertz did a great job managing the passing game, Florida's run game was surprisingly anemic. After a big week 3 win against rocky flop, you'd expect the Gators to come out a bit more hungry and not struggle against a below-average opponent at home. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened, as the Gators looked like they didn't even want to be at their own game. Also, Florida hasn't had much offense since their big second-quarter effort against Tennessee. And only scoring one TD against this Charlotte team should be a major red flag. We'll learn a lot more about Florida this upcoming week, as they travel to Lexington to take on Kentucky. A Florida win will create a much easier path to bowl eligibility and give Billy Napier some momentum going into the rest of conference play. A loss and the Tennesse win will have looked more like an outlier than a trend. Either way, Florida comes in at #3 because they've looked the most inconsistent this year, and have the worst loss of the Florida Big 3. Things can change, but it is what it is at the moment.
#1A - Miami Hurricanes
Record: 4-0 (0-0)
Last Game: W, Temple, 41-7
Total Offense: #15 out of 130 FBS Teams
Total Defense: #13 out of 130 FBS Teams
Rank: #18
Looking Ahead: Bye
Miami did what it's done all season: take care of business in a no-nonsense fashion. With its first home game on the road and terrible weather conditions, there were concerns that this game could be closer than it needed to be. Those concerns were allayed early, as Miami's offense was rolling from the get-go and Miami's defense was stout. Ultimately, Miami held Temple to just 7 points ( throw into the middle of the endzone at the end of the first half that we should've covered but blew) and a total of 11 rushing yards for the whole game. The DL played well, and Miami was also able to force three turnovers (two INTs on the day for Te'Cory Couch). Nevertheless, Miami's passing defense let up some big plays and another WR had a big game against us. That needs to be cleaned up moving forward. The passing offense was rolling though with an efficient performance from TVD, a big day from Restrepo, and an NFL catch from Colbie Young. The run offense was much of the same, with Henry Parish having a day, Don Chaney showing flashes, and our young RBs getting reps.
Miami's at 1A this week for a very clear reason: Miami's looked the part in each of its games this season, and has won each game by double digits. Of the 16 quarters of football this team has played, they've arguably only had one bad quarter (1Q of the A&M game). It's true that Miami's schedule to this point has not been as tough as that of UF or FSU. However, unlike those teams, Miami hasn't struggled against inferior competition. Miami's competition to this point (minus BCU) also doesn't look too bad under the microscope. For example, Miami-OH is 3-1, with a big win against Cincinnati in OT. A&M just got a good win against Auburn to go to 3-1. The point is, Miami is getting the job done and also isn't struggling against the Charlottes of the world. With a well-timed bye, Miami should be at full strength in its ACC Opener against Georgia Tech.
#1B - Florida State Seminoles
Record: 4-0 (2-0)
Last Game: W, Clemson, 31-24
Total Offense: #29 out of 130 FBS Teams
Total Defense: #97 out of 130 FBS Teams
Ranked: #5
Looking Ahead: Bye
FSU's win against Clemson marked an important occasion: the Noles snapped a 7 game-losing streak to Clemson. In doing so, Florida State has established itself as a favorite to make the ACC Championship game and a favorite to win it. Jordan Travis had a big performance, Keon Coleman made multiple NFL catches (including a game-winning TD in OT), and Johnny Wilson made some big-time plays. At 4-0 and as the #5 team in the country FSU is in control of its destiny. But, as Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friend." In many ways, this FSU team reminds me of the 2017 Miami Hurricanes. Just like those 2017 Hurricanes, this FSU team finds a way to win games they should probably be winning by more comfortable margins. In week 3 it was against a bad BC football team, which lost to Louisville this week by four touchdowns. You can make an argument that FSU was looking ahead to Clemson and that BC was locked in because it was their red bandana game. But it doesn't excuse coming within 2 points of losing to an unranked team you were predicted to beat by 24 points, and who barely beat FCS Holy Cross at home the week before. Not to mention, FSU benefited from 100+ yards of penalties committed by BC, including a costly facemask penalty as BC was set to get the ball back with a little over a minute in the game and only needed an FG to win.
This week, FSU got a much better opponent in Clemson. Yes, this is not the Clemson of old (Dabo Sweeney's arrogance and Duke saw that to that), but it's still a team with major talent that can give anyone a run for their money. Ultimately, the Noles pulled out a tough OT win against an opponent who came to play. But much like the BC game a week earlier, FSU benefited from game-changing mistakes and a bit of luck. FSU was able to force a crucial fumble for a scoop and score as Clemson was driving, and the Tigers missed an easy chip shot field goal wide left that would've put them on top late. The Tigers were able to force OT, but an NFL catch from Keon Coleman ultimately ended the game. Make no mistake, this is a good FSU team with elite offensive skill players, but they don't look like the unstoppable team they were in Week 1. To me, this FSU team is the reincarnation of the 2017 Miami Hurricanes. A team that finds a way to win but is ultimately living on borrowed time. Additionally, there were some worrying trend lines in this game. As of now, FSU has one of the worst defenses in the country. Additionally, FSU's offense became one-dimensional, as they were only able to rush for 22 on the ground. The Noles also struggled to convert on third down. This is a dangerous FSU team that would be favored if it played Miami right now, whether on our field or theirs. Nevertheless, this is a team whose luck will eventually run out.
#3 - Florida Gators
Record: 3-1 (1-0)
Last Game: W, Charlotte, 22-7
Total Offense: #50 out of 130 FBS Teams
Total Defense: #5 out of 130 FBS Teams
Ranked: #22
Looking Ahead: @Kentucky
Florida welcomed Charlotte to the Swamp this week and came away with a harder-than-expected W in a game they were favored to win by four touchdowns. Florida's defense continues to play the part, as it currently sits as a Top 5 Defense in the country. However, Florida's offense struggled on third down going 1/9, and while Graham Mertz did a great job managing the passing game, Florida's run game was surprisingly anemic. After a big week 3 win against rocky flop, you'd expect the Gators to come out a bit more hungry and not struggle against a below-average opponent at home. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened, as the Gators looked like they didn't even want to be at their own game. Also, Florida hasn't had much offense since their big second-quarter effort against Tennessee. And only scoring one TD against this Charlotte team should be a major red flag. We'll learn a lot more about Florida this upcoming week, as they travel to Lexington to take on Kentucky. A Florida win will create a much easier path to bowl eligibility and give Billy Napier some momentum going into the rest of conference play. A loss and the Tennesse win will have looked more like an outlier than a trend. Either way, Florida comes in at #3 because they've looked the most inconsistent this year, and have the worst loss of the Florida Big 3. Things can change, but it is what it is at the moment.
