The state of Florida has always provided two constants: wild headlines and good football. From the glory days of the U, to Tebow Time, to FSU’s recent dominance, the wackiest state in the USA has always had some great CFB. The 3 Power Five teams in the state have all had a turbulent past few years, but have usually pulled through for some quality football. However, the prospect of an AMAZING 2017-18 season from the state of Florida comes not just from the power 5, but from the four other teams in the FBS. While UCF, USF, FIU, and FAU haven’t been much to reckon with the past few year, their recent additions via the coaching carousel will make for a wild upcoming season.

Power 5

Miami, Florida, and Florida State all bring back the same head coaches as last year, but they’re a heckuva bunch. We’ve got Mark Richt at his alma mater of Miami, Jim “Mediocre Offense” McElwain at UF, and Jimbo Fisher as FSU. This is a quality group of coaches who have taken their teams to high levels in the past. Richt has the most work to do after losing star QB Brad Kaaya to the  NFL draft (questionable move IMHO), while McElwain will continue his quest to put a capable QB at the helm of his offense. Jimbo just has to replace Dalvin Cook and figure out how not to get Deondre Francois killed, not to mention how to beat Clemson, so a pretty minor task if you ask me. FSU will likely emerge as the best team of the 3, but due to the inferiority of the SEC East, Florida will have the most on-paper success (qualifying for championship games).

Group of 5 is looking live

The allure of the Florida 4 comes not from their sunny campuses (as I write this from Indiana), but their coaches. Just look at the lineup: UCF is the only boring one with Scott Frost, but the guy can coach! He turned around a team that didn’t win a single game last year and managed to get the Knights into the Cure Bowl! FIU hired some guy named Butch Davis, idk if you’ve heard of him…. Davis coached in the NFL, with the U, and with UNC, who he left with major NCAA violations #justUNCthings. Despite his rocky exit from Chapel Hill, there’s no doubt the guy can coach. Next we have USF, who is far and away the best team of the 4. USF had a great season this year, and their 2017 prospects got even better when they snapped up former Texas HC Charlie Strong. We can all agree that Chuck struggled at UT, but he’s still a great recruiter and coach. I think he’ll flourish at a school with lower expectations and a solid lineup that includes Quinton Flowers. Plus, Strong will be able to snag quality recruits in talent-rich Florida.

And finally, we have the man you’ve all been waiting for…………Lane “Joey Freshwater” Kiffin. The man who some view as HC toxic waste was snagged by FAU, which is located in Boca Raton. Yes, the Lane Train is barreling towards Rat Mouth, FL, and there’s not a damn thing that can stop him….except maybe one of the Southern “Gentlemen’s” Clubs that populate the Rat’s Mouth. If I was putting my money on which Boca strip clubs Lane will frequent, it’d be between Booby Trap Pompano Beach or my personal favorite, the Porthole Pub. Lane’s antics will make his time in Boca as wild as possible, and his on-field performances might be equally interesting.

All in all, the personalities and pure talent of Florida football will make 2017 a year to remember in a state that many like to forget. (Don’t worry Florida, I still love you).