Florida State Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Florida in Week 13
By Dana Becker
Typically, Florida State football and Florida gather in November and the game has incredible importance on the national title race.
That is not the case this season, as both the Seminoles (4-6) and Gators (4-6) are just fighting for respect.
Thanks to the addition of a previously cancelled game, Florida State can still reach six wins and qualify for a bowl for the 36th consecutive season, breaking a tie they hold with Nebraska for the longest such streak. However, to do that, they will need to string together back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles have been dealt a bad hand this year, as star quarterback Deondre Francois was knocked out of the opener vs. Alabama. Things spiraled down after that, as NC State sent FSU to 0-2. They were 2-5 following a loss to Boston College before rebounding with wins over Syracuse and Delaware State.
Florida, meanwhile, snapped a five-game losing streak with a 36-7 victory over UAB last week. The Gators were 3-1 back in September before falling to LSU, Texas A&M, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
Here’s how to watch Florida State at Florida this Saturday:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 25
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Venue: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Keys to Victory
Freshman James Blackman had no troubles picking Delaware State apart last week, recording his first three-touchdown passing game. He has thrown five touchdowns and just one interception in his last three games.
Jacques Patrick returned to the backfield from an injury. Combined with Cam Akers, the duo have gone over the 1,000-yard mark and each have a 60-plus yard touchdown run.
For the Seminoles to be successful, they will need that kind of production out of Akers and Patrick, taking pressure off Blackman.
Feleipe Franks returned to the role of starting quarterback and threw two touchdown passes last week, with Adarius Lemons and Lamical Perine running for over 160 yards together.
Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: First round after Week 12
Prediction
With pressure is on Florida State to try and get to that six-win mark and earn a spot in the postseason. For the Gators, this game presents a chance to gain some much-needed momentum as rumors swirl of a new coach being hired in the near future.
Prediction: Florida State 21, Florida 20