![Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) is sacked during the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes in the second half. Miami defeated the Gators 41-17. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_2833,h_1593/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/200/01je3yr4tq0sq62mec9m.jpg "Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) is sacked during the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes in the second half. Miami defeated the Gators 41-17. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
Despite the loss at Syracuse on Saturday, Miami had the title of the best team in Florida in 2024 clinched weeks ago. It has been a rough year for the seven Football Bowl Subdivision teams other than Miami. Florida is the only other FBS team in the Sunshine State to finish with a winning record of 7-5.
Florida remained second in the State of Florida Power Rankings after their 31-11 win over Florida State on Saturday. After starting 1-2, Billy Napier led Florida to wins in six of its last nine games. Florida finished 4-4 in the SEC against the fifth toughest schedule nationally per the ESPN Football Power Index.
South Florida is third in the final regular-season Florida power rankings after a 35-28 loss to Rice, which dropped the Bulls to 6-6. South Florida will await its bowl assignment after Sunday's College Football Playoff selections. With a win in their bowl game, the Bulls can match their 2023 7-6 record.
Central Florida is fourth in the Florida Power Rankings almost by default. After starting 3-1, UCF finished the season with seven losses in its last eight games. The only win for UCF in their last eight games was over Arizona. The Wildcats also finished 4-8 and lost seven of their last eight games.
Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
1 | Miami | 10-2 |
2 | Florida | 7-5 |
3 | South Florida | 6-6 |
4 | Central Florida | 4-8 |
5 | Florida International | 4-8 |
6 | Florida Atlantic | 3-9 |
7 | Florida State | 2-10 |
Florida International closed the season with a 35-24 win over Middle Tennessee State and then fired head coach Mike McIntyre. The Panthers have not had a winning season since 2018 under Butch Davis and have not played in a bowl game since 2019. FIU was 4-8 in all three seasons under McIntyre.
Florida Atlantic finished the 2024 season with a 63-14 win at Tulsa. Chad Lunsford led the Owls in the final two games after Tom Herman was fired. FAU was 6-16 under Herman. FAU last had a winning season in 2020 with a 5-4 record in their first season under Willie Taggart. That was also the last time they played in a bowl game.
Florida State was the most disappointing team in college football in 2024. The Seminoles only had one win versus an FBS team and lost their last seven versus the top level of college football. Florida State made big news after the loss to Florida with the addition of former UCF head coach Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator.
Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson will likely be a candidate for the three FBS open head coaching positions in Florida. It seems unlikely Dawson would leave Miami to take over at FIU. Central Florida and FAU would be good fits for Dawson. There is too much talent in Florida for only two teams to finish above .500 in 2024.