Believe it or not, there is only one month remaining in the regular season, with November 25 marking the final day on the schedule.
All seven of Florida’s Football Bowl Subdivision teams could make a bowl, something that has not happened since FAU and FIU joined the ranks of the game’s highest level in 2005. Some heavy lifting will be required in a couple of instances in order for the state to go 7-for-7, though the possibility remains. Of course, the team in Tallahassee has its sights set on something much larger.
Here is the remaining schedule for each of the teams.
Florida State (7-0, 5-0 ACC)
All three phases have clicked nicely for Mike Norvell’s fourth-ranked Seminoles, who are legitimate College Football Playoff contenders. They got to this point in large part by opening the season in Orlando with a huge second half in defeating LSU, knocked the gorilla off their back in defeating Clemson for the first time since 2014, and had a big fourth quarter in pulling away from Duke on Saturday.
FSU’s next two games are on the road and neither should pose much of a challenge especially given how Wake Forest (Saturday) and Pitt (next week) have struggled offensively. Miami visits Tallahassee on November 11 with North Alabama of the FCS sandwiched between the ‘Canes and a trip to Gainesville to complete the slate. Hence, what takes place in the Sunshine State in November will help shape, one way or the other, the CFP landscape.
Miami (5-2, 1-2 ACC)
Despite Mario Cristobal’s colossal display of coaching ineptitude against Georgia Tech followed by a messy (four turnovers) loss at North Carolina, the Hurricanes still have an opportunity to make serious noise in the ACC thanks to a dig-deep type win in overtime against visiting Clemson on Saturday. True freshman Emory Williams was pressed into serve with starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (hand/leg) sidelined due to injury. While the victory was far from pretty, the overall effort and the defensive performance (5 sacks, 10 TFL) were things of beauty for a team that was badly in need of victory.
The Hurricanes host Virginia this week. The Cavaliers, who cut their season short last year following on-campus tragedies, shocked UNC in Chapel Hill on Saturday for their first conference win since last October. Miami then travels to NC State and Florida State before their final home game on November 18 against Louisville. The regular season concludes at Boston College on Black Friday.
Florida (5-2, 3-1 SEC)
Which team will we see this week in Jacksonville against Georgia? The one that won impressively against Tennessee or the one that got run over at Kentucky. The Gators have been a difficult read.
While UF is not expected to get past the two-time defending national champs, who have won 24 straight, it is imperative to put up a solid 60 minutes heading into what will be a demanding November. After reeling Arkansas visits Gainesville next week, the Gators have consecutive road games at LSU and Missouri before closing the schedule at home with Florida State in a matchup that could have major national implications.
UCF (3-4/0-4 Big 12)
Blowing a 28-point lead to anybody is a very difficult thing to overcome under any circumstance. Blowing a 28-point lead to visiting Baylor in your second game in your new conference in something that can derail a season. After all, American lightweights no longer appear on the schedule.
The Knights, who played a strong 60 minutes in a close loss (31-29) at Oklahoma, find themselves still looking for their first Big 12 win. In order to become bowl eligible, Gus Malzahn’s squad needs three wins in the remaining five games – vs. West Virginia, at Cincinnati, vs. Oklahoma State, at Texas Tech, vs. Houston – with three of them on the road.
USF (4-4/2-2 AAC)
The Bulls came from behind early at Navy and came from behind late at UConn. So what if the Midshipmen and Huskies have combined to win four games. USF did not win those games the past four years.
If bowl eligibility is a true sign of progress, or at least a sign Alex Golesh’s process is indeed kicking in, then the Bulls need two wins in their final four games. A bye this week will be followed by a trip to Memphis, which will be followed Temple at Raymond James on November 11. Then it is off to San Antonio for a date with UTSA before the schedule closes with a visit from Charlotte.
FAU (3-4, 2-1 AAC)
Tom Herman’s first season in Boca Raton has seen starting quarterback Casey Thompson lost for the year (ACL) in Week 3 at Clemson and a tough schedule that has included trips to Death Valley and Illinois as well as a visit from UTSA. The remaining schedule is one the Owls, quarterbacked by Daniel Richardson, should navigate. The next two are on the road, though Charlotte (Friday) and UAB have only one win against FBS opponents. FAU returns home November 11 to face East Carolina, which has lost all six of its games to FBS programs. Tulane, with its sights set on another conference title, arrives in Boca the following week before the Owls travel to Rice to close the schedule.
FIU (4-4, 1-4 C-USA)
With four losses in a terribly watered-down Conference USA, including double-digit setbacks to New Mexico State and UTEP, the Panthers can still become bowl eligible for the first time this decade. The lone conference win was in overtime at FBS newbie Sam Houston State last Wednesday. Mike MacIntyre’s team faces the other FBS newbie, Jacksonville State, at home Wednesday.
A bye next week will be followed by games at Middle Tennessee and Arkansas before hosting Western Kentucky.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Signup for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps