Florida Gators Rivalry Reviewed: Florida State Seminoles

Nov 2, 2013; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles fans cheer against the Miami Hurricanes during the first quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Traditions:
War Chant/Tomahawk Chop: Just like Gators fans love to chomp in The Swamp, Seminoles love to do the Tomahawk Chop. It may be the most annoying song any college athletics band plays if you’re not a fan of Florida State. But when they can get all of their crowd to do it at once, it creates a pretty neat spectacle. I think FSU over plays the chant and should get some new material. You can’t play your team’s greatest rallying cry when you get sacked for eight yards, throw for an incompletion, or stop a run after a gain of five yards. But the band’s goal is to create a fun, interactive atmosphere at the venue.

Fight Song: This song isn’t incredibly memorable except one part: F-L-O-R-I-D-A S-T-A-T-E, FLORIDA STATE, FLORIDA STATE, FLORIDA STATE, WOOO. It’s no Hail to the Victors, but it certainly has its moments. I would bet, however, that 95 percent of Seminole fans don’t know the words until the song reaches that crescendo. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard any words to the song besides that last part.

The Sod Cemetery: This is a pretty neat little tradition Florida State has. It started in 1962 when the ‘Noles traveled to Sanford Stadium to face Georgia as a heavy underdog. They came away with a 18-0 victory and a piece of the turf after Dean Coyle Moore said “Bring back some sod from between the hedges at Georgia.” Since then, FSU’s come away with the sod from another stadium 93 more times. 

"“Since then, before leaving for all road games in which Florida State is the underdog, all road games at the University of Florida and all ACC championship and bowl games, Seminole captains gather their teammates to explain the significance of the tradition.  Victorious captains return with a piece of the opponent’s turf to be buried in the Sod Cemetery outside the gates of the practice field.” – Seminoles.com"

I kind of like that Florida is on that list every single time the two teams play inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. It signifies it’s always a big game when the Gators and ‘Noles collide and the stakes are usually pretty high. FSU may have 11 pieces of Florida turf in its cemetery, but the Gators have something that the Seminoles can never take away: A win on the night of the coronation of Bobby Bowden Field.