A Preview: Florida Gators at FSU Seminoles
This game meant a lot to
Florida
in each of the last two seasons. As the Gators marched toward the SEC Championship Game and a possible appearance in the National Championship, Florida needed the win over
FSU
for much more than just pride. This season it’s a much different feeling. The standings don’t matter. Neither team needs this victory for more than just bragging rights. It’s nothing more than the rivalry.
That’s not to take away from the meaning of the game and the feelings that both sides have for this matchup. Its still a rivalry at its best. It’s Florida versus FSU. Gators and Seminoles. Always a huge game for both teams, the records don’t matter. From an outsider’s perspective, they may be looking for something else to watch. With a combined seven losses, Florida and FSU aren’t at the top of the rankings. In fact, one isn’t even in the rankings at all. From the outside, it looks no better than a decent midday matchup. But for the coaches, players, and fans, it’s much bigger and always will be.
As a Gator fan, there are three teams I would put at the top of the rivals list. FSU, Georgia, and Tennessee. I’ll let you make your own order out of those three, but they’re the top of the list. The Bulldogs and Volunteers may get a slight edge because of SEC implications, but the Noles gain points for the instate factor and because they always end the regular season. Again, take your pick, but you could definitely argue that this is THE rivalry game for Florida.
This one has an ugly feeling about it. Neither offense has been what it was expected to be in 2010. Both have struggled mightily at times. For the Gators, the system was expected to be adapted to John Brantley so the quarterback could shine. It wasn’t and Brantley has had as rough of a season as any passer in the nation. For the Noles, there was a Heisman campaign for Christian Ponder that has turned to mediocrity. Ponder still has his moments, but fans would be happier if FSU ran the ball on every down.
What could make it uglier for the Gators is FSU’s ability to get to the quarterback. This is a team that creates pressure and piles up plenty of sacks. If you’ve watched any Florida game this season, you know how the offensive line has played. You’ve seen Brantley hit the ground numerous times as defensive linemen have been bearing down on him. This could be another one of those games. The Noles will get to Brantley – or whoever is taking snaps – so the offensive line needs to have its best game of the season. If Florida has to rely on the run game, even then, the line has to take care of business and make the key blocks that can spring the speed backs.
On paper, this looks like one of those games that could have a dreaded final score of 10-7. Hopefully there are some more fireworks than that and if there are it will be directly attributed to the speed these teams possess. The state is known for producing fast athletes and many of them end up at these two schools. Because of all of the speed on the field, a big play or two could open the game and lead to the scoring we’ve so sorely missed. Hopefully it’s on the orange and blue side of the scoreboard.
It’s more likely the defenses decide this one. Florida ranks ninth in the nation in yards allowed and FSU ranks 15th in points allowed. While the Gators are stingy against the pass – 12th – the Noles are tough against the run – 14th. With sputtering offenses and solid defenses, 10-7 is more likely even if we haven’t seen a score like that in this rivalry in a long time. We’ve seen a 21-14 and a 20-13, but the last time there was truly a complete lack of offense that turned into a defensive battle was 1991 when Florida won 14-9. Let’s just hope we don’t return to the 1960s. In 1961, the teams played to a 3-3 tie which was actually three points more than the previous season when the Gators won 3-0.
It won’t be that bad. These teams will put points on the board, but the question is how many. Florida can hope for an offensive surge (at this point in the season, you might as well go for broke and take chances) and FSU’s thoughts being elsewhere. The Noles still have a chance to get to the ACC Championship Game and they’ll be thinking about another matchup (NC State at Maryland) which is on at the same time. Although stadium officials have been told not to display that score today, you have to think players will be wondering. Then again, this is THE rivalry and both teams want nothing more than to win regardless of what the victory may or may not mean.