College Gridiron 365

STATE RANK: FSU Drops From AP POLL, UM Moves Up, HOS POLL Update

Jae Fortune
Jae Fortune

MORE STATE WOES

Labor Day was suppose to present the perfect opportunity for the Seminoles to regain control of their future, and control, as their second straight, unranked conference opponent made the trip to Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

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MORE STATE WOESRISING CANEKNIGHTS WATCHTHE HOS POLL

This was Florida State’s first home game of the season, and something similar to a pressure valve for Mike Norvell’s embattled team, and his embattled starting quarterback. DJ Uiagalelei needed this game to go well, to resurrect his aura and silent the internet. State’s recruitment office needed this game to go well, to avoid the kind of scene that the Gators just put themselves through.

A statement win would’ve provided some much needed breathing room and quieting the noise from their ill-fated trip to Dublin. All they had to do as seize the opportunity.

And, in a surprising turn of events, the opportunity was seized by the visiting Boston College Eagles, who shocked the reigning ACC Champions on their home field, 12-28 on Monday night.

Florida State’s second straight collapse against an unranked opponent, in as many weeks, sealed their fate – atleast in the eyes of the Associated Press.

RISING CANE

As Tallahassee and Gainesville continue to be rocked by on-field troubles, the center of gravity has shifted entirely to the South. Miami has moved from just barely within the top twenty, to just barely outside the top ten.

Cam Ward is the far and away the best quarterback in the entire state. His showcase in the Swamp earned the senior an ACC Player of the Week, Maxwell Player of the Week and Davey O’Brien Award mention ahead of (12) Miami’s home opener on Saturday vs. FAMU.

 

KNIGHTS WATCH

While the eyes of the college football world stay fixed on the slow-motion car wreck that is the State of Florida’s two traditional powers, the Knights are quietly sharpening the sword, and counting down the days until Oct. 5th.

But first, the Knights need to make a decision at quarterback.

During the Knights’ dismantling of New Hampshire, former Arkansas Razorbacks star KJ Jefferson made his long-anticipated debut to his new home crowd. A serviceable performance, but not enough to prevent a switch to redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown in the second half. Headed into the second week of college football, KJ Jefferson’s arrival to Orlando, Florida, now feels fully overshadowed by Cam Ward’s arrival in Coral Gables. This is by no means a quarterback controversy, however far more difficult challenges lay ahead for UCF than New Hampshire.

Before UCF fans get to watch their high-octane Knights invade Gainesville, and re-drain the Swamp, they need to face down TCU and Coach Prime’s Colorado. Coach Gus Malzahn has emphasized that is not just about winning, but how the Knights are winning:

“I’m proud of our team. Taking care of business with a convincing win. Looking at the game, I just told the players the thing that stood out to me is only three penalties. We’ve been really focused on not beating ourselves.”

THE HOS POLL

The Sports Club Florida: Head of State (HOS) Poll for the second week of college football.

  1. UM (+3)
  2. UCF
  3. FAMU (+2)
  4. USF (+2)
  5. FIU
  6. FSU (-5)
  7. JAX
  8. UF (-3)
  9. FIU (-1)
  10. BCU (-1)

Preseason HOS Poll: Based on last season’s final conference standings, schedule difficulty, and in-state rivalry performance.

  1. FSU
  2. UCF
  3. UM
  4. UF
  5. USF
  6. FAMU
  7. FAU
  8. BCU
  9. JAX
  10. FIU

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