The complete domination by Miami in a 41-17 win over Florida on Saturday sent the Gators in the CBS Sports "College football rankings: Florida, LSU, Clemson among Power Four teams in first Bottom 25 of 2024 season. Florida State is also in the bottom 25 teams in the CBS Sports and ESPN rankings.
The first full weekend of college football could not have happened any better for Miami fans. Miami dominated Florida in almost every way. Miami outgained Florida 529 to 261 yards, had a 25 to 17 edge in first downs, had eight tackles for loss, two sacks and held Florida to 122 yards passing.
Miami converted five of their 10 third down attempts while holding Florida to one for nine. Mario Cristobal and Billy Napier each entered the 2024 season needing to turn their programs around after sub .500 records in their first two seasons. Cristobal appears to have the team to do that in 2024.
After the 0-2 start by Florida State and 34-3 Clemson loss to Georgia, Miami is now the favorite to win the ACC. Miami now has a 26.2 percent chance to win the ACC with Louisville second at 25.1 percent. Clemson is a distant third at 12.9 percent. After an 0-2 ACC start, Florida State now has a 0.5 percent chance to win the ACC.
"8. Florida 0-1 | Billy Napier is on a mission to find out how hot a seat can truly get before one is forcibly dethroned. We're reaching volcanic-level temperatures after a 41-17 loss to Miami. Hey, at least there are some nice basements in central Florida that he could lay low in if the pressure becomes too much to handle. "Will Backus, CBS Sports
Despite their 0-2 start, Florida State is lower in the bottom 25 rankings than Florida, ranked 19th. Bacuks mentions that people joked after Florida State lost to Georgia Tech in week zero they became the first team to have outright possession of 17th place in the ACC. FSU is now the first team to be in 17th place in consecutive weeks in the ACC.
Backus stated what many others have since Florida State lost to Boston College on Saturday night, that is you cannot buy a good football team. The reference is about Clemson and Florida State suing the ACC. In addition to being favored to win the ACC, Miami has now emerged as a 12.5-point favorite over Florida State per FanDuel.
A lot can happen between now and when Florida State comes to Hard Rock Stadium on October 26. Miami fans can be cautiously optimistic. After a 4-0 start in 2023, Miami went 3-6 and finished 7-6. The 4-0 start included a win over Texas A&M. Miami has to remain focused each week.