Florida

NBC 6 Weekend Football Preview: Beware of The Trap Game

What to Know

  • This week, the Sunshine State’s ranked college teams all find themselves on the road all with the potential to fall into a trap.
  • While the Dolphins return home against a NFC foe with dreams of making a Super Bowl run.

Last weekend, it was the best of times and the worst of times for fans of Florida’s football teams. While the Miami Hurricanes came back to end their 14 year home losing streak to rival Florida State and the Florida Gators upset a top five LSU team, the Miami Dolphins found themselves blowing a 17 point fourth quarter lead – not exactly the best way to start October for the aqua and orange.

This week, the Sunshine State’s ranked college teams all find themselves on the road all with the potential to fall into a trap against teams capable of beating them – while the Dolphins return home against a NFC foe with dreams of making a Super Bowl run.

Here’s a breakdown of each game using our not-so-scientific NBC 6 peacock grading scale.

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 18: The Miami Hurricanes line up against the Virginia Cavaliers during a game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Miami Hurricanes at Virginia Cavaliers (Saturday)

After nearly a decade and a half of suffering defeats at home to their biggest rival, Miami got that monkey off their backs with a comeback victory that will be talked about for ages over FSU – led by N’Kosi Perry’s four touchdown passes. Now, they face a UVa team who has been average this season, but has been known to play up to the level of their competition in previous seasons – including playing with the ‘Canes last season at Hard Rock Stadium.

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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 19: Jeremiah Ratliff #90 of the Chicago Bears sacks Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field on October 19, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Dolphins defeated the Bears 27-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears

After starting off the season 3-0, the Fins are staring down the barrel of .500 football after losses to New England and a blown late lead to Cincinnati last weekend. Now, they welcome a Bears team with one of the best defenses in the league – not exactly what Ryan Tannehill and company want to see as they look to avoid the dreaded three game losing streak.

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MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 29: Jonnu Smith #87 of the Florida International Golden Panthers runs for a touchdown past the attempted tackle by Darryl Randolph #29 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on October 29, 2016 at FIU Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

FIU Panthers at Middle Tennessee St. Blue Raiders (Saturday)

After a 3-2 start to the year, the Cats from Southwest Miami-Dade play the first of seven straight conference games this week fresh off the bye week. Head coach Butch Davis has FIU playing decent football of late – can the finish the season on a high note and end up playing for the Conference USA championship?

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 30: Lamical Perine #22 of the Florida Gators runs the ball as Joejuan Williams #8 of the Vanderbilt Commodores and Oren Burks #20 of the Vanderbilt Commodores defend during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images)

Florida Gators at Vanderbilt Commodores (Saturday)

Last week, the orange and blue got a statement win when they upset previously top five LSU at home. Now, head coach Dan Mullen takes his team to a location where Florida has had troubles playing at in the past – with the bye week coming up before five remaining games that include Georgia, South Carolina and Florida State.

Other State Games

The USF Bulls take on Tulsa in a Friday night game while their rivals, 10th ranked UCF, play Memphis for the third time in the last 13 months. FAMU is on the road at North Carolina A&T while Bethune-Cookman travels to South Carolina State.

In the NFL, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the road to take on the divisional rival Atlanta Falcons while the Jacksonville Jaguars are also on the road to take on the Dallas Cowboys.

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