Jaheim Bell #6 of the Florida State Seminoles runs in a 4-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the LSU Tigers at Camping World Stadium on September 03, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
The Florida Gators have a huge test coming up on Saturday as we preview week 3 in college football for all the Power 5 Florida teams. The Gators, Canes, Noles and Knights are all in action beginning on Thursday night.
Week 3 Preview Begins with Bethune-Cookman at #22 Miami Hurricanes 7:30pm on ACC-Network
The now nationally ranked Canes won't have a letdown on Thursday night. Coming off a huge win at home last week against Texas A/M I don't expect the Canes are going to let up against an FCS opponent that they have dominated over the years. The key here is to stay healthy. I imagine you will see many 2nd, 3rd and 4th stringers playing most of this contest. The schedule gets harder the following week for the Canes as they will travel to Temple.
(11) Tennessee at Florida, 7 ET on ESPN and ESPN-SWFL
The Vols and Gators have met every year since 1990 … and unlike the two aforementioned series will meet again next year. Tennessee won 38-33 last season for just its second win in its past 18 meetings against Florida and is looking for its first win in Gainesville since 2003 (nine straight losses).
Tennessee’s offense hasn’t been quite as explosive this season as it was with Hendon Hooker at quarterback last season. Only 5.3% of the Vols plays this season have gone for 20 or more yards (8 of 150); last season 8.5% of their plays went at least 20 yards (80 of 945) and their 19 50-yard plays were second-most in FBS behind TCU (22).
The Vols lead the SEC and are fourth in FBS with 257.5 rushing yards per game this season. Tennessee has gained yardage on 89.3% of its rush attempts this season, second-most in FBS, just behind Penn State (89.5%).
Florida scored a touchdown on each of its first seven possessions against McNeese, matching its longest streak to start a game in the past 20 seasons. After rushing for 13 yards against Utah the Gators had 327 rushing yards against McNeese State, their second 300-yard game in two seasons under Billy Napier.
Saturday will be Graham Mertz’s 35th career start and the first time that he’s faced an SEC opponent. In 10 career starts against ranked opponents (nine at Wisconsin) he’s posted a 2-8 record while averaging 172 passing yards per game with more than twice as many interceptions (13) as touchdown passes (six).
Catch this game on ESPN-SWFL on Saturday. Shemon and Sheppard will have more details this week.
(3) Florida State at Boston College, Noon ET on ABC
Florida State travels to Boston College this Saturday. The Seminoles are averaging 55.5 points this season, fourth most in the FBS and their most through the first two games of a season since 2012. In addition, they are looking to score 45+ points in each of their first three games of a season for the third time in school history (did this in 1995 and 2012).
Jordan Travis, who has the second-shortest odds to win the Heisman Trophy, ranks in the top-10 in Total QBR in 2023. On Saturday, he became the first player in Florida State history with 50 pass TD and 25 rush TD. Travis is up to 77 TD responsible for, second-most in school history, behind only Chris Weinke.
The Eagles are 0-17 at home when facing an AP Top-5 opponent. That is the 2nd-most losses without a win at home vs AP Top-5 teams. Only Vanderbilt has more such losses (27).
Villanova at UCF 6:30pm on ESPN+
The Knights are coming off a very nice road win at Boise State. They should keep it going at the Bounce House on Saturday night against the FCS Wildcats. Both teams are 2-0.
We'll continue the week 3 preview on the Shemon & Sheppard Show this afternoon.
School is in full swing for the 2023-2024 school year, and so is the football season, the Greek life and the college partying. Which schools are the top party schools in Florida?
Of course the parents of freshman who were just dropped off a few weeks ago are cringing as they read this. No doubt hoping that as they scroll they won't see their child's school listed as one of the top party schools in Florida.
The folks over at Niche recently released this year's list of 2023 - 2024 party schools in the Sunshine State.
Methodology
The Top Party Schools ranking is based on student reviews and nightlife statistics. There are five factors that are considered when making the list.
Student opinions obviously go a long way with these rankings. I mean, 70% of the grades coming from student surveys?! Wow, that's basically the deciding factor here.
Seemingly absent from the top of the list are a few larger universities from the southern part of the state, including FGCU (#17). I was surprised not to see the University of South Florida (#12) in Tampa and Florida Atlantic University (#16) over in Boca Raton, too.
With that said, there were a few surprises at the top of the list. Several smaller schools have cracked into the top 10 on this year's list of party schools in Florida.
#10. Florida International University
Florida International University is located in Miami, so this doesn't come as a surprise with all that Miami has to offer.
Party School Grade: A-
#9. Rollins College
Rollins College is one of the smaller schools to top the list. Located in Winter Park, less than 30 minutes from the University of Central Florida, Rollins College students can take advantage of the big university town perks, without the size of the school
Party School Grade: A
#8. Eckerd College
Another school on the smaller side, out of St. Petersburg, FL. Again, plenty to do in the St. Pete/Tampa area with a small school feel.
Party School Grade: A
#7. University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida is located on the outskirts of Orlando, which is of course home to one of the states best football teams, making game days a huge party on and off campus.
Party School Grade: A
#6. University of Tampa
Location here is obvious. One student said, "My experience at the University of Tampa has been amazing! The campus in basically in the middle of downtown Tampa is a growing and developing city that offers so many things to do."
Party School Grade: A-
#5. Bethune-Cookman University
Located in Daytona Beach. Enough said.
Party School Grade: A+
#4. University of Florida
University of Florida is the heart of Gainesville. Academics and athletics are outstanding at UF, and apparently so is the social scene. Recently named best Public University in the US.
Party School Grade: A+
#3. University of Miami
It's all in the name. Minutes from some of the best nightlife in the country, the beaches are stunning and the weather allows for year round outdoor partying. Academics and athletics at UM are also outstanding.
Party School Grade: A+
#2. Florida A&M University
#1 and #2 party schools are located less than 3 miles apart, which probably means they're sharing the party scene up in Tallahassee.
Party School Grade: A+
#1. Florida State University
The Florida State University is off to a great 2023-24 season. The Noles football team is looking good this year, ranked at #3 in the AP poll, giving the students plenty to get excited about. Tallahassee is a college town through and through. And with #2 party school FAMU just 3 miles away, two schools are better than one.
Party School Grade: A+
