Florida college football rankings, where we have a new #1. It's not the Florida Gators

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Florida college football rankings, where we have a new #1. It's not the Florida Gators

Can the 'Canes stick the landing?

They've regained our top spot, where they'd spent the bulk of the season. Around here we saw it coming. Navy's win over USF was no shock to those who put stocks in the weekly picks found below. Neither of 'em.

USF ends the regular season with a pair of schools from the lower rungs of the American Conference, while Miami gets a gimme this week before going to Western Pennsylvania to face the unpredictable Pitt Panthers, most likely with a College Football Playoff berth on the line.

Mario Cristobal has the Miami Hurricanes back atop our weekly state rankings.

USF also plows ahead while reading between the lines every time head coach Alex Golesh begins a pep talk. Some smart folks already have him situated at Oklahoma State, but surely he's not the only hot new thing the Cowboys are flirting with these days.

Interestingly, similar to the battle for No. 1 here, a battle has shaped up on the south end of our rankings. Anyone from 5 through 7 can end up with the anchor.

1. Miami Hurricanes (8-2)

Last week: (2) beat N.C. State, 41-7. This week: at Virginia Tech. FYI: Miami lost star DB Keionte Scott to a season-ending knee injury last week, but it won’t matter this week. BTW, Penn State went 8-4 and 7-5 in the two years before new Tech coach James Franklin began turning around the Nits’ program. That’s like inheriting the ’27 Yankees compared to what he’s getting in Blacksburg next year.

The pick: ’Canes 33, Hokies 16.

2. USF Bulls (7-3)

Last week: (1) lost to Navy, 41-38. This week: at Alabama-Birmingham. FYI: Here’s a little reminder to those who might think Alex Golesh’s cachet may be shrinking among bigger programs searching for a new coach. His 21-15 USF record nearing the end of Year 3 isn’t off-the-charts stuff, but consider the Bulls were 4-29 in the three previous years. Oklahoma State is 4-18 since the start of last year, for what it’s worth.

The pick: Bulls 40, Blazers 22.

3. FSU Seminoles (5-5)

Last week: (5) beat Virginia Tech, 34-14. This week: at N.C. State, Friday night. FYI: The Two Men and a Truck are still idling over at the Pilot station near Ochlockonee. Right now, 7-5 seems probable which means 8-5 is feasible, and programs like FSU, in today’s climate, shouldn’t fire coaches who go 8-5.

The pick: ’Noles 27, Wolfpack 20.

4. FIU Panthers (5-5)

Last week: (4) beat Liberty, 34-27. This week: Jacksonville State at home. FYI: Jax State, in Alabama, is college football’s other Gamecocks. Until 1947, they were called the Eagle Owls. Like you, I’d never heard of an eagle owl, and after looking at pictures, I sure as hell hope to never encounter one. Meanwhile, Jax State is two wins away from a C-USA title in just its third year of FBS ball.

The pick: ’Cocks 33, Panthers 26.

5. FAU Owls (4-6)

Last week: (3) lost to Tulane, 35-24. This week: UConn at home. FYI: UConn, recently known as UCan’t, wraps up another nine-win season this week and you might start seeing Coach Jim Mora’s name pop up here and there. Would a USF opening be considered a lateral or upward move?

The pick: Huskies 33, Plain ol’ Owls 23. 

6. Florida Gators (3-7)

Last week: (7) lost to Ole Miss, 34-24. This week: Tennessee at home. FYI: Last week’s “quality loss” bumps the Gators out of the basement. Problem is, Oklahoma State is so bad, this newly attained promotion might be short-lived if the pick at No. 7 comes through.

The pick: Vols 27, Gators 14.

7. UCF Knights (4-6)

Last week: (6) lost to Texas Tech, 48-9. This week: Oklahoma State at home. FYI: How in the world can UCF be a 14-point favorite over anyone? Here’s how. Since opening the season with a win over Tennessee Ernie Martin, the Pokes have lost nine straight and boy have they — by an average of 27 points each. They did scare K-State last week, however. Somebody has to win this thing, right?

The pick: Knights 9, Cowboys 8. 

∎ Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Miami Hurricanes, USF Bulls swap spots in Florida football rankings

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