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.
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.
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.
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?
Florida Gators at Vanderbilt Commodores (Saturday)
Local
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.