Week 7 – Florida College Football Power Rankings

Not 1 team in Florida won a game this week. Let’s discuss the Week 7 Power Rankings.

With a week off, Miami had a chance to rest and regroup after 2 straight hard fought comeback wins. FSU had a BYE and still managed to lose players to injury, and the rest of the Florida teams lost their respective matchups. It’s been a long time since every team in the state that played lost in the same week. Now, in Week 7, the Florida teams are presented with some signifiant tests on the gridiron. I’m here to offer an unbiased ranking of the state of Florida Division 1 college football teams. This analysis is based off of the eye test, the records of each program, and a little expectation for what’s to come.

No sugar coating, so let’s dive in!

FBS Programs in the State of Florida: 7 (Florida Atlantic Owls, Florida Gators, Florida International Panthers, Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes, South Florida Bulls, and University of Central Florida Knights)

1: Miami Hurricanes – Next Game 10/19 @ Louisville 12:00pm ABC / ESPN+

Ranking: Associated Press – 6 (1232) Votes, AFCA Coaches Poll – 6 (1105) Votes

The Canes are traveling to Louisville this weekend to face-off against a high scoring Cardinals team that has been battle tested. This has been my trap game for the Canes since the schedule was released for a number of reasons. Miami is coming off a BYE which hasn’t been a strong suit for them for well over a decade, they also have to play on the road in a hostile environment and cool temperatures (64 at kickoff), and lastly this is the week before their big rivalry game against FSU. Not that any of that matters, but they are talking points if Miami has a misstep. I don’t expect that. Canes by 10+ .

2: Florida Gators – Next Game – 10/19 vs Kentucky @ 7:45 PM SECN

Ranking: Associated Press – Unranked (0) Votes, AFCA Coaches Poll – Unranked (0) Votes

The Gators fought hard against a Vols team at home that was every bit of a blowout on paper, but that’s why the games are played. The Gators announced after the game that Graham Mertz has torn his ACL and is out for the remainder of the season. A tough blow for UF, but DJ Lagway now has the keys to the team. I had to bump the Gators up a notch after a H2H win against UCF, playing 3 straight games of good football, and really showing that they deserved a better rank in the state.

3: UCF Knights – Next Game 10/19 @ #9 Iowa State 7:30pm FS1

Ranking: Associated Press – Unranked (0) Votes, AFCA Coaches Poll – Unranked (0) Votes

The Knights dropped their third game in a row, and although they played hard, they weren’t able to pull out a win against Cincy. UCF appears to be struggling offensively and are having a hard time adjusting to the Power 4, but have been showing signs of progress. They face off against a top 10 opponent on the road and are heavy underdogs. I expect loss #4 in a row for the Knights.

4: South Florida – Next Game – 10/19 Vs UAB 3:30 PM ESPN+

Ranking: Associated Press – Unranked (0) Votes, AFCA Coaches Poll – Unranked (0) Votes

The wheels have fallen off for the Bulls as they’ve played worse and worse each game since their loss to Miami. Memphis rolled over USF handing the Bulls their third straight loss, but to be fair, the Bulls have endured significant Hurricane related issues from Helena and Milton over the last month. They are favored at home against UAB, so let’s see how they respond.

5: Florida Atlantic – Next Game – 10/19 @ UTSA @ 3:30 PM ESPN+

Ranking: Associated Press – Unranked (0) Votes, AFCA Coaches Poll – Unranked (0) Votes

FAU lost a close one to North Texas, and this week they have to travel to San Antonio to face off against UTSA and are underdogs on the road.

6. Florida International – Next Game – 10/16 @ UTEP 9:00 PM CBSSN

Ranking: Associated Press – Unranked (0) Votes, AFCA Coaches Poll – Unranked (0) Votes

FIU lost by a touchdown to Liberty last week and will be the favorite on the road against UTEP in a Thursday night showdown… Nothing special to report here.

7. Florida State Seminoles – Next Game @ Duke 10/18 7:00 PM ESPN2

Ranking: Associated Press – Unranked (0) Votes, AFCA Coaches Poll – Unranked (0) Votes

FSU, which is now 1-5 after going 13-1 last season, has to face Manny Diaz and the Duke Blue Devils on Friday night in Durham, NC.

AP Top 25

Miami – 6

UCF – Unranked

South Florida – Unranked

Florida – Unranked

Florida International – Unranked

Florida Atlantic – Unranked

Florida State – Unranked

USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll

Miami – 6

UCF – Unranked

South Florida – Unranked

Florida – Unranked

Florida International – Unranked

Florida Atlantic – Unranked

Florida State – Unranked

With “games being played”, we’ll continue to revisit these standings each week over the course of the season.

Let us know your thoughts on the rankings in the comments below.