If you haven't heard already, Florida State is coming off its biggest win since the 2023 ACC Championship game. The Seminoles routed No. 8 Alabama by a score of 31-17 on Saturday—a victory characterized by resilience, grit, and program revival.
This was no fluke upset. Florida State didn't have to rely on turnovers, clock management, or a fast start to sneak past the Crimson Tide. Instead, Florida State asserted itself by dominating Alabama in every phase of the game.
Behind a stout offensive line, the Seminoles ran the ball 49 times for 230 yards at 4.7 yards per carry. On the opposite side of the ball, they held the Crimson Tide to 87 rushing yards and a combined 8-for-22 on third-and fourth-down conversions. This performance landed the Seminoles at No. 14 in this week's AP Poll, a remarkable leap from being previously unranked.
Florida State isn't the only team receiving recognition from the Sunshine State. Coming off a dominant win over FCS Long Island, the Florida Gators sit right in front of the Seminoles at No. 13. The Gators are an unpredictable team with a high ceiling, where a difficult SEC schedule will soon reveal what kind of football team they possess in Gainesville.
Joining them near the top is the Miami Hurricanes, who jumped to No. 5 after a top 10 win over longtime rival Notre Dame. This marks the first time all three Power 4 schools from the state of Florida have broken the AP poll top 15 since the 2006 preseason rankings.
This raises the question—is the big three back? All three programs now look to contend for their respective conferences and the CFB Playoffs. Florida State will face Miami on October 4 and Florida on November 29. The Gators and Hurricanes will also play each other on September 20.