UF-FSU Preview

For the second year in a row, “The Sunshine State Showdown” between the Gators and ‘Noles will be a noon kickoff with minimal hype surrounding the game. This game doesn’t have the build up like it did in the 90’s, nor does anyone expect another classic like “The Choke at Doak” in 1994, or “The Greatest Game Ever Played in The Swamp” in 1997. However, both teams still have plenty to play for. UF is looking to stay in contention for a New Year’s Six Bowl and to also snap a five game losing streak to Florida State. FSU is looking to preserve a 36-year bowl streak, the longest currently in all of college football, and to play spoiler to their biggest rival’s successful season.

What UF needs to do to win:

For UF to break the five year streak, the Gators will need to control both lines of scrimmage. FSU boasts a very talented defensive line led by DE Brian Burns and his 10 sacks on the year. Controlling FSU’s very stout defensive line will allow Florida to do what they want, which is run the football with the three-headed monster of running backs in Jordan Scarlett, LaMichael Perine, and Dameon Pierce. That has been the formula for UF’s offensive production and it takes pressure off of QB Feleipe Franks.

Defensively, it shouldn’t be too hard for the Gators as FSU has one of the worst offensive lines in all of college football. The ‘Noles have allowed 31 sacks all year, which is tied for 108th in the nation. Moreover, the o-line is the main reason Cam Akers and Jacquez Patrick have not been able to get a running game going. UF’s defensive line should be able to dominate this unit with ease, which should make things easier for Florida’s banged up secondary.

Keys to stopping FSU:

The Gators will need to rattle QB Deandre Francois early and often. While he hasn’t had the best year for FSU, he is still a very capable and talented quarterback and UF has had trouble with solid quarterbacks all year. Mizzou’s Drew Lock, Vandy’s Kyle Shurmur, and South Carolina’s Jake Bentley have all given the Gators fits, especially in the first half. Those three QBs alone put up seven touchdowns to only two interceptions and over 800 yards of passing over “DBU.” That isn’t even counting the thrashing Jake Fromm and the Georgia Bulldogs put on them in Jacksonville, either. It will be key for UF to take advantage of FSU’s awful offensive line and force an early turnover or two to set the tone. If given time, Francois can and will take advantage of an undisciplined Gator defense. He’s done it before.

The biggest key to beating FSU will be getting out to an early lead and shutting down any thoughts of an upset. If UF allows the ‘Noles to hang around (something they have done with many teams this season), then this could be a toss-up. Florida State’s year to forget is not due to a lack of talent, but coaching. The team is loaded with talented athletes and has the potential to hang with most teams, and UF is no exception.

Prediction: UF 34 FSU 17

I trust Dan Mullen a lot more than I do Willie Taggart. I think Mullen will have UF ready and motivated to finally end the five year losing streak, and FSU’s 36 year bowl streak. I also believe Florida will benefit from 1-2 defensive or special teams touchdowns, and the offense will play with confidence and competence.