UF, UCF kick off conference play; UM is on a roll and FSU, USF look to rebound

As the college football season enters Week 3, UCF and Florida are poised to begin their conference play, a critical moment given the new 12-team playoff format. UCF boasts an undefeated record, but their victories have come against lower-tier teams, raising questions about their readiness for tougher competition. Florida, on the other hand, is looking to recover from a disappointing loss to Miami, who currently sits at No. 10 in the AP rankings, before routing Samford in their last game. Florida State is struggling, having lost both of their opening games against conference rivals, and hopes to find their footing against Memphis, a former coaching ground for their head coach.

USF started strong with a win over Bethune-Cookman but faced a tough challenge against Alabama, highlighting the competitive nature of Florida football. This week, UCF will take on TCU in their first Big 12 matchup, a significant milestone as they have yet to play against the Horned Frogs. The outcomes of these games will be pivotal for each team's ambitions in the playoff race. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching these matchups to gauge the strength of Florida's college football programs.