SEC Kickoff: Everything you need to know about Florida at Florida State
Here’s everything you need to know about the showdown in at Doak Campbell Stadium between Florida and Florida State.
When: Today
Where: Tallahassee, Fla.
Game Time: 3:30 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN
Current Line: Florida State (-7.5)
Game Buzz: Florida has nothing to lose today in Tallahassee and will look to repeat the 2004 season-finale when the Gators upset the Seminoles on the road under a outgoing head coach in Ron Zook. The emotional and off-the-field aspects are in Florida’s favor, but FSU has played much better this season. Which side will win out?
Saturday Down South Previews
- Poetic ending possible for Muschamp, Gators in Tallahassee
- Behind Enemy Lines: Q&A with Tom D’Angelo, FSU beat writer
- Class of ’14 recruiting flips have offensive impact for Gators, Seminoles
- To defeat FSU, Florida needs to replicate rushing performance against UGA
- Muschamp all business in final week as Florida head coach
FLORIDA GATORS
Players to watch:
- QB Treon Harris
- RB Matt Jones
- WR Demarcus Robinson
- DE Dante Fowler
- CB Vernon Hargreaves
- ATH Andre Debose
Keys for Florida:
- Play like you have nothing to lose: It’s true. The Gators don’t have anything to lose. They’ve already gained bowl eligibility and Muschamp is already gone after this game. What’s at stake? Don’t be afraid to be aggressive and go for it. That kind of mentality could be the difference for Florida.
- Gators need turnovers: As with any upset, Florida needs to win the turnover battle. Big plays on defense will make things much easier for the offense, especially if it creates short-field opportunities.
- Ride the running game: If Florida wants to win today, the Gators will need to do what they do best on offense — run the football. They’ll need a replication of their performance against UGA in terms of effectiveness to stand a chance of upsetting the Seminoles.
Glaring weakness to watch: Treon Harris. We all know he can run the ball, but he’s far from a proven commodity in the passing game. He’ll need to step up and make some big plays with his arm in order to keep the opposing defense honest.
Most interesting part of the game: It’s Will Muschamp’s final game with the Gators. How will his team respond? I expect to see an ultra-motivated football team as it plays for the head coach and sending him out a winner.
Team buzz: Florida’s got nothing to lose today in Tallahassee. The Gators will be playing for their head coach in hopes of carrying him off the field on their shoulders after a big upset win. Can the Gators bookend the Seminoles 27-game winning streak?
No. 3 Florida State Seminoles
Players to watch:
- QB Jameis Winston
- RB Karlos Williams
- RB Dalvin Cook
- WR Rashad Greene
- TE Nick O’Leary
- C Cam Irving
- DE Mario Edwards Jr.
- DB Jalen Ramsey
Keys for Florida State:
- Get off the field on 3rd down: FSU’s defense will need to make sure it doesn’t let the Gators extend drives, especially with UF’s running game. The Seminoles will need to stay fresh and long drives will make things much tougher on them.
- Don’t turn it over in your own territory: FSU should be able to contain UF’s offense. However, if FSU turns the ball over and creates short-field opportunities for the Gators, that will be a big problem for FSU. Take care of the football.
- Score early: The Gators will be playing with a lot of adrenaline and emotion. If FSU can score early and often, that should be enough to take the wind out of the Gators’ sails and make it an easy victory for the Seminoles.
Glaring weakness to watch: Run defense. FSU has struggled contained powerful run games and the Gators will undoubtedly lean on that for offense.
Most interesting part of the game: FSU hasn’t been the best at playing a good game for an entire 60 minutes. Will this be the game the Seminoles finally put together a full game or will today be the day another slow start finally costs FSU?
Team buzz: The Seminoles are in great position to not only win the ACC, but clinch berth in the College Football Playoff. They are rolling and have won 27 games in a row and are looking to win their third game against Florida in the last four years.