Football is finally back! Even though most teams played a soft set of games this week, it’s still football and we have been waiting a long time for this. Let’s recap how college football teams in the state of Florida performed in week one.
UCF (1-0 , 56-6 vs Kent State)
The Knights took care of business Thursday night as they stomped Kent State. John Rhys Plumlee had four total touchdowns but also accounted for three turnovers. It was a far from perfect performance but the running game was stellar. UCF averaged a whopping eight yards per carry. Johnny Richardson led the way with 100 yards rushing with Plumlee right behind with 90 and RJ Harvey with 84 respectively. That’s 274 yards of rushing between the three. If UCF can consistently produce 50% of those rushing numbers, you’ll surely see UCF have some early success in the BIG 12.
Some red flags were raised during this game, however. Three turnovers won’t cut it for Plumlee in the Big 12. As dynamic and explosive as he is, he can’t afford to give up the football like that, especially against teams that are far more talented because they will take advantage of it. A red zone turnover is worrisome particularly because this offense was terrible in the red zone a season ago. If UCF can’t convert in the red zone, they’ll find it hard to keep up in the Big 12.
All in all, the Knights had 700+ yards of offense and the running game was firing on all cylinders. It was a nice tune-up game as next week they head to the blue turf in Idaho to take on Boise State.
Florida Gators (0-1 , 11-24 vs Utah)
The Gators got manhandled on Thursday night. It was a classic game of being out-coached and out-played by a veteran team. Billy Napier’s Gators are young. This is going to take some time but to get torched for a long touchdown by a third-string QB isn’t something that should happen. Napier and the Gators just seemed unprepared. Some people were calling out new starting quarterback Graham Mertz but he played fine. The play-calling, especially in the red zone, is what hurt the Gators. Florida will definitely improve as the year goes on but it was a sad display and it could be a rough year down there in Gainesville.
FAU Owls (1-0 , 42-20 vs Monmouth)
The Owls played an FCS school in Monmouth. They cruised to win 42-20 and the offense was electric and firing on all cylinders. Running back Larry McCammon finished the game with over 170+ yards of total offense. New transfer QB Casey Thompson threw for 280 yards and five touchdowns in his FAU debut. Simply put, this offense will put up numbers all season. I still have my doubts about the defense, though. Monmouth isn’t the best-quality of opponent.
Next week Ohio and their high-powered offense rolls through Boca Raton. We can finally see how the Owls defense stacks up against a top offense.
Miami Hurricanes (1-0 , 38-3 vs Miami (OH) )
The Hurricanes won the confusion bowl or the battle for the real Miami.
Another South Florida team cruised to victory this weekend. The Canes smacked Miami of Ohio 38-3 behind a stellar defense and running game. Tyler Van Dyke played decently with 200+ yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He didn’t have to do too much and was efficient when he had to throw the football. The Canes defense proved their worth on Friday night. The defense should be able to keep Miami in a lot of games this season. However, it is the opposite of FAU. I’m worried about this team’s offense (rather than their defense) and how they might perform against top teams. Luckily, some of our questions will be answered in week two as a ranked Texas A&M Aggies team comes into Miami for some must-watch tv.
FIU (1-1 , 14-12 vs Maine)
Yet again, FIU didn’t score in the second half. However, they found an upgrade over Grayson James, who had an awful week zero. Keyone Jenkins, the true freshman out of Miami Central, got the starting nod and he balled out with 292 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. It wasn’t perfect but the kid was fearless and wasn’t going to back down and was slinging it downfield. They narrowly escaped a win against Maine, an FCS opponent, 14-12. The schedule will get tougher but the Panthers can find success if they can be more efficient on offense. As far as the quarterback situation goes, expect Jenkins to be in the starting role again this week against North Texas and for the games that follow.
USF (0-1 , 24-41 vs WKU)
Optimism is swirling in Tampa even after a loss for the Bulls. USF lost 41-24 but the game was closer than the score indicated.
Western Kentucky didn’t separate until the fourth quarter. What’s giving people hope is the fact that the Bulls showed some fight under new head coach Alex Golesh. The Bulls still need to find their guy at quarterback, though. Maybe it is Byrum Brown, who didn’t have a great game through the air but had a hell of a game running the ball. Brown ended up with three total touchdowns. This team might have to revolve around the ground game all year but Alex Golesh has this team playing hard and I expect them to win a couple of surprise games this season.
FSU (1-0 , 45-24 vs LSU)
Heisman hopeful Jordan Travis and the Noles are the real deal. FSU will roll into the playoffs. That is all we need to say. WR Keon Coleman just embarrassed the LSU secondary, finishing with three touchdowns and 122 yards. FSU is back and they are coming. Don’t sleep on them anymore.