Best Game: 2006

With a potential national championship berth on the line, the 2006 Gators invaded Tallahassee in Urban Meyer’s second season as head coach. Florida went up 14-0 in the second quarter before FSU came roaring back to tie it at 14 in the fourth quarter. Senior QB Chris Leak hit Dallas Baker for a 25-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to seal the game. Leak threw two touchdown passes in the game, to Andre Caldwell and the game winner to Baker, and freshman Percy Harvin added a 66-yard touchdown run from a direct snap at quarterback. The Gators went on to win the SEC Championship against Arkansas and BCS National Championship against Ohio State.

Most Memorable Play: 2008

One image from the 2008 Florida-Florida State game transcends all the others. Following a touchdown by Tim Tebow in the midst of a garnet-colored and soaked end zone, his legend grew even more. Earlier in the drive, Percy Harvin was injured and left the game with a high ankle sprain. After the game, Tebow said the crowd cheering Harvin’s injury irritated him. Tebow demanded to Urban Meyer he get the football on the goal line, and he carried several defenders into the end zone for a Florida touchdown. Most won’t remember the play, but you can bet your boots they remember these Braveheart-like images.

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Best Drive: 2006

Chris Leak’s early game-winning fourth-quarter drive helped seal the best game of the last 10 years. Leak finished 7-of-8 for 79 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Baker on the last drive. Following the game, it became known that Leak called an audible on third down after recognizing a blitz and checking to a skinny post for another 25-yard gain to Baker, prior to the game-winning touchdown. Florida won 21-14.

Longest Streak

Over the last decade, Florida owns the longest winning streak, five straight from 2005 through 2009. The Gators beat the Seminoles the year prior (2004) under then-fired head coach Ron Zook, and Urban Meyer continued the dominance winning five straight. The Gators outscored the Seminoles 182-58, an average victory of 36.4 to 11.6. That’s dominance.

Biggest Turning Point: 2005

When Florida hired Urban Meyer, the Gators seized control, winning five straight games, as noted above. Meyer put a target on his biggest rivals’ backs, and he made sure his players were ready. Meyer’s Gators took it personal each and every time they played the Seminoles. FSU did hammer the Gators during Meyer’s last season 31-7, and after the game, Meyer declared the Florida program “down” but added he didn’t think it was that far down. Although it didn’t end pretty for Meyer, he went 5-1 against his biggest rivals.

Best Player: Tim Tebow

An argument could be made for Jamies Winston as the better pure overall quarterback, but Tim Tebow finished his career 4-0 against his biggest rival, scoring 14 total touchdowns from 2007-09. That’s completely dominant. From trucking defenders to having turf paint on his face that resembled blood, Tebow will forever be a dominant figure in the rivalry. Tebow’s last play against Florida State in The Swamp was iconic, complete with flash bulbs looking like fireworks and fans chanting: “Tebow, Tebow, Tebow”. Tebow combined for five touchdowns in his final game against the ‘Noles.

Sweetest Revenge: 2012

Florida lost two in a row to FSU from 2010 and 2011 under Urban Meyer and Will Muschamp, but Muschamp got his sweet revenge in 2012. His Gators went on the road to Doak Campbell Stadium and beat the Seminoles 37-26, behind a big performance by QB Jeff Driskel, RB Mike Gillislee and the defense. Gillislee rushed 24 times for 140 yards and two touchdowns, and the Gators rushed for 244 yards combined, dominating the ground game. Arguably, the biggest play of the game came from freshman linebacker Antonio Morrison, when he hammered EJ Manual and caused a fumble. That set the tone for the eventual Gator victory.

Florida-Florida State results (last decade)

2005: Florida 34, FSU 7
2006: Florida 21, FSU 14
2007: Florida 45, FSU 12
2008: Florida 45, FSU 15
2009: Florida 37, FSU 10
2010: FSU 31, Florida 7
2011: FSU 21, Florida 7
2012: Florida 37, FSU 26
2013: FSU 37, Florida 7
2014: FSU 24, Florida 19