UM approaches ACC title game; UF-FSU renew acquaintances

FLORIDA – It’s a simple scenario for the Hurricanes: They beat Syracuse on Saturday and secure a trip to the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game.

Miami (10-1, 6-1 ACC) defeated Wake Forest in its home finale last weekend and came close to beating No. 9 SMU on Dec. 7 in Charlotte.

A loss in Miami would eliminate No. 12 Clemson (9-2, 7-1), which has already completed its league schedule and hosts No. 16 South Carolina.

Syracuse (8-3, 4-3) has won two straight and began Fran Brown’s tenure with the program’s winningest season since 10 wins in 2018.

While Miami has the most to win or lose this week, the national spotlight in Tallahassee will be on the suddenly surging Gators, who play at the rival Seminoles and are coming off arguably their most disappointing season ever.

Since Florida’s 49-17 loss at Texas in early November, the Gators have bounced back with impressive home wins against ranked teams – beating then-No. 21 LSU 27-16 and then-No. 9 Ole Miss 24-17. Both the Tigers and Rebels were in the conference and playoff mix at the time of these games.

Florida State has won two straight against Florida and nine of the last 13 meetings. However, Florida is a double-digit favorite heading into this matchup as the disappointing Seminoles only have two wins over Thanksgiving weekend.

USF (6-5) is out of contention for the American Athletic Conference title this season at 4-3 in league play, but the Bulls are finishing strong, having won four of their last five games.

The Bulls could pick up more wins with their season finale Saturday at Rice and the upcoming bowl game.

Meanwhile, UCF is looking upward in its second Big 12 season as the conference sorts out title contenders. The Knights are also among five Big 12 teams (Arizona, Houston, Oklahoma State, UCF and Utah) that will not bowl this season.

Here’s a closer look at this weekend’s games:

Friday, November 28th

Utah (4-7, 1-7 in Big 12) at UCF (4-7, 2-6 in Big 12), 8 p.m., FOX

In their second season in the Big 12, the Knights return to their traditional Black Friday game to conclude the regular season. UCF will pay tribute to the more than 20 seniors who will play their final game for the team, including running back RJ Harvey, wide receiver Kobe Hudson and defensive tackle Ricky Barber. The senior ceremony and pregame show begins at 7:15 p.m

The teams have never played. Neither team will be able to play in a bowl game this season, but will finish their season in front of a national television audience. The Knights are coming off their 300th program win.

In a way, it could be a classic attack-defense duel. The Knights rank in the Big 12’s top five in total offense (first), rushing offense (first) and scoring offense (fifth), and the Utes are top five in total defense (third), scoring offense. Defense (third) and fourth in rushing defense and fifth in pass defense.

With one more score, Harvey can surpass UCF Hall of Famer Kevin Smith for the program’s all-time touchdown record. He and senior defensive back BJ Adams have accepted invitations to the Senior Bowl, which will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 in Mobile, Alabama.

Saturday November 29th

USF (6-5, 4-3 in the American Athletic Conference) at Rice (3-8, 2-5 in AAC), 2 p.m., ESPN+

USF finishes the regular season strong. Since the Bulls’ loss to Memphis on Oct. 12, USF has won four of five games, qualified for its second straight bowl bid and is looking to finish the regular season with a three-game winning streak.

Freshman quarterback Bryce Archie, a strong replacement for the injured Byrum Brown, posted a 305-yard, three-touchdown (two-pass) performance in USF’s 63-30 win over Tulsa.

Wide receiver Sean Atkins has also been hot, recording at least six catches in four straight games and leading the Bulls with 61 catches this season.

Rice, meanwhile, enters the final with four losses in its last five games.

No. 6 Miami (10-1, 6-1 ACC) at Syracuse (8-3, 4-3 ACC), 3:30 p.m., ESPN

Miami has been at or near the top of the ACC standings all season and appears to be headed to the 12-team playoffs.

But the Orange could make things difficult for Miami. The Hurricanes feature a strong passing attack behind quarterback Cam Ward, who has totaled nearly 4,000 passing yards and scored 34 touchdowns this season.

Syracuse’s Kyle McCord was productive in his own right. McCord has a national-leading 522 pass attempts this season with 341 completions, 3,946 yards and 26 touchdowns (which ranks in the top five).

Still, the Hurricanes are clear favorites in this matchup, despite a defense that has been shaky at times and has given up more than 30 points four times.

Florida (6-5, 4-4 in the Southeastern Conference) at Florida State (2-9, 1-7 in the ACC), 7 p.m., ESPN2

The Gators have had the stronger season so far, but the rivalry involves a lot of players who grew up playing against each other, which usually boosts the competition. The game marks the third meeting between Florida’s Billy Napier and Florida State’s Mike Norvell as head coaches.

Ranked last in the ACC and 106th nationally, the Seminoles defense will take on Gators running backs Montrell Johnson (494 rushing yards), Jaden Baugh (522) and Ja’Kobi Jackson (401). The Seminoles are giving up 180 yards per game on the ground. The Gators, on the other hand, have only surpassed 200 yards rushing once this season.

Florida is 4-1 with freshman DJ Lagway starting at quarterback. Lagway will be Florida’s fifth true freshman quarterback to face FSU. Luke Kromenhoek is the Seminoles’ third true freshman to start at quarterback against Florida in the last 40 years. In his first collegiate start last week against Charleston Southern, he completed 13 of 20 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns and added 31 rushing yards.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.