Miami continues dominance in post week 3 State of Florida power rankings
Miami continued to show it's the best team in Florida this season with a 62-0 win over Ball State on Saturday. The Hurricanes were thoroughly dominant, with a 750 to 115 advantage in total yards. Cam Ward had over 300 yards and four touchdowns by halftime as Ball State focused on stopping the run in the first half.
Central Florida is clearly the second-best team in Florida after week three. The Knights rallied from a 31-13 deficit in the third quarter for a 35-34 win at TCU to start 1-0 in the Big XII. Miami and UCF are the only undefeated FBS teams remaining in Florida after three weeks.
South Florida is the only other team in Florida with a winning record at 2-1. The Bulls host the Hurricanes on Saturday with a 7 PM kickoff on ESPN or ESPN 2. It could be argued that the Miami at South Florida game is the biggest in the Sunshine State during the 2024 season.
South Florida won 49-24 at Southern Mississippi a week after playing Alabama competitively for most of the game. Alabama needed three late touchdowns in a 42-16 win over South Florida. The ESPN Football Power Index projects Miami with an 85.2 percent chance to win at South Florida.
Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
1 | Miami | 3-0 |
2 | Central Florida | 3-0 |
3 | South Florida | 2-1 |
4 | Florida Atlantic | 1-2 |
5 | Florida | 1-2 |
6 | Florida International | 1-2 |
7 | Florida State | 0-3 |
The 38-20 win for Florida Atlantic over Florida International in the Shula Bowl puts the Owls fourth in the rankings in the tiebreaker with Florida and the Panthers. Miami over Florida in the season opener is the only other win by a Florida FBS team over one of the others during the 2024 season.
Miami should be able to keep adding to their resume on Saturday. Florida and Florida State have differing issues. Billy Napier might not make it to next week with a meeting scheduled for Sunday by the Gators' board. Florida State's hopes of making the College Football Playoff is gone after the 0-3 start.
Next. Miami moves up four spots in ESPN Football Power Index. Miami moves up four spots in ESPN Football Power Index. dark
Central Florida and Miami both have excellent chances to earn a College Football Playoff berth. The ESPN Football Power Index projects Miami with a 52.6 percent chance to make the CFP and UCF at 37.4 percent. Miami and UCF should remain the top two teams in Florida throughout the rest of the 2024 season.