THE jokes have been fly ing around the Sunshine State for a while now, mostly from giddy Florida fans. But, recently, supporters from other state schools have chimed in.
“Florida State is the third-best program in the state now.”
“Or fourth.”
“Or fifth.”
Funny. Or is it? The No. 3 Gators are the national champs and look every bit repeat-eligible. No. 18 South Florida routinely knocks off ranked teams. Miami still plays great defense and also has an upset over a ranked team (Texas A&M). Heck, Central Florida has a new stadium, a win over an ACC team (N.C. State) and a near-win over No. 7 Texas.
Florida State? Well, the Seminoles (2-1), who play No. 24 Alabama (3-1) in Jacksonville Saturday, lost at Clemson, struggled vs. UAB, and dozed through a win at rebuilding Colorado. So, it’s fair to say Bobby Bowden’s revamped coaching staff isn’t pleased with the overall product.
But, ever so slowly, the ‘Noles are getting there . . . regardless of the jokes. The defense is allowing just 74.7 yards per game on the ground. The offense is up to 332.3 total yards per game. All they need now, is that signature win, the kind of statement victory everyone else in the state seems to already have.
It should come this week.
“We are going to treat this like it’s a national championship game. That’s how you have to look at it,” FSU linebacker Derek Nicholson said. “It’s the biggest game of the year.”
It’s fairly large for Alabama coach Nick Saban and his rebuilding effort, as well. But he hit a bump in the road last week vs. Georgia, while the ‘Noles in their bye week already were preparing for the Tide.
“Obviously, Florida State is a national power. They have great tradition,” said Saban, well-versed in the midweek art of lauding an opponent. “They have a very good football team right now.”
The end of that statement is up for debate. At least for another few days. Florida State (-21/2) is the pick.
TOMORROW
West Virginia (-7) over SOUTH FLORIDA: Revenge is the flavor of the week, and we start in the Big East. We know, we know. We just lauded surging South Florida. But the Bulls won at Morgantown last year, and the Mountaineers won’t forget.
SATURDAY
Michigan (-161/2) over NORTHWESTERN: Wolverines have Mike Hart, and the Wildcats allowed 191 yards on the ground last week at Columbus.
Penn State (-3) over ILLINOIS: Joe Paterno has been out most of the week with the loss of his mother-in-law. The Lions will rally around him.
Notre Dame (+22) over PURDUE: The Irish, slowly, are inching toward their first cover. It can’t go on forever.
Ole Miss (+15) over GEORGIA: Sandwich game for the Bulldogs, who just won at Alabama and have rival Tennessee next week.
Oklahoma (-22) over COLORADO: Bob Stoops has shown the ability – and desire – to run it up. Jump on . . . until the ride stops.
Cal (+51/2) over OREGON: Revenge spot here for the Ducks, but the Golden Bears have more offensive skill. The points are a bonus.
WISCONSIN (-71/2) over Michigan State: Good value, as the Badgers are due, and the Spartans are getting too much love after the win at South Bend.
TEXAS (-141/2) over Kansas State: Revenge rears its head again. Colt McCoy was injured in a loss at Manhattan last year. Payback time.
GEORGIA TECH (+3) over Clemson: Trap of the week. If the Tigers are so good, and the Jackets are so bad, then why is the line so low?
RUTGERS (-161/2) over Maryland: Sharp line move on the Knights made the Terps enticing. But this is a big-time proving ground for Rutgers, now a Top 10 team. Two weeks to prepare doesn’t hurt, either.
FLORIDA (-181/2) over Auburn: The return of revenge. The Tigers were the only team to defeat the Gators last year. Parlay that with Florida’s lackluster effort vs. Ole Miss, and Urban Meyer has more material to motivate his club than he needs.
Ohio State (-231/2) over MINNESOTA: Plenty of Buckeye boosters will be on hand, and we already know Jim Tressel likes to lay the lumber on conference foes.
Southern Cal (-201/2) over WASHINGTON: Boy, the Huskies fell out of favor in a hurry. We still think Ty Willingham will go bowling, but USC is a different animal.
OFF THE GRID
NEBRASKA (-21) over Iowa State: The critics are after Bill Callahan and his beleaguered Blackshirts defense. The Cyclones are the perfect remedy.
Last week: 6-9 Overall, 1-2 Best Bets, 0-1 Off The Grid. Season: 30-29-1, 5-6-1, 3-1.
tsullivan@nypost.com