Florida football looks to cap off successful season with Florida State win

Florida football is back after a bye week, looking to cap off a successful season at 10-2. They take on in-state rival Florida State.

Florida football won’t be able to compete for a conference championship, but a New Year’s Six bowl appearance is still on the line in a game against bitter rival Florida State. Florida sits at 9-2, beating Missouri 23-6 two weeks ago. They’ve responded in a big way since the loss to Georgia, after outscoring their last two opponents 79-6.

The impressive part of the Gators season has been the play of an impressive defensive unit, led by Jonathan Greenard and Jabari Zuniga, making Florida one of the best defensive lines in the country. This pairs with the performance of backup quarterback Kyle Trask, who has surely earned himself the starting role for his senior season next year.

Trask and backup Emory Jones have been an impressive 1-2 punch, with Jones playing as primarily a Wildcat formation quarterback. Trask has thrown for 2,293 yards and 21 touchdowns to only six interceptions in about eight and a half games as the starter for Florida.

The Seminoles, meanwhile, have been going in the opposite direction. They fired their head coach Willie Taggart, after a 4-5 start to the season, but are starting to recover after winning two in a row to clinch bowl eligibility.

Florida State has shown a lot of spirit under interim head coach Odell Haggins, and are looking to play spoiler to the Gators BCS hopes. The difference for Florida State has been effort, and improved consistency from James Blackman.

While it looks like Cam Akers will be back from injury, it is still important that Blackman is efficient against a stingy Florida defense.

Here’s how to watch the Sunshine Showdown:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 30
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Venue: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
TV: SEC Network
Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

For the Gators, the keys to victory mean slowing down Cam Akers, if he plays. Florida’s defense has only allowed seven rushing touchdowns on the season, and rank No. 20 in rush defense in the country. They have the definitive advantage in talent and skill, and should be able to slow down Akers. As good as Blackman has played, he hasn’t faced a secondary like the Gators this season, which could easily force him into mistakes.

Offensively, Florida has to find some space on the ground for themselves. Florida State is No. 68 in the country in rush defense, compared to Florida’s No. 115 rushing offense. Lamical Perine needs to get some yards early, and we should even see a good part of Emory Jones to make some plays for the Gators, and keep the Seminole defense on its toes.

For Florida State, Blackman has to make some throws. He’s going to see a lot of pressure from the strong Florida front seven, and he needs to make some plays, as I imagine Florida will devote a lot of attention to Cam Akers and the run game.

The other spot the Seminoles need to capitalize is in the red zone. Florida has the No. 2 red zone defense in the country, and when pulling off an upset, you have to be able to score touchdowns and not field goals. Seminoles have to take some chances, and convert their good drives into touchdowns.

Haggins is potentially coaching for a job, as a win over their rivals should clinch him the Seminole job next season.

Betting Odds

Courtesy of The Action Network

Line: Florida -17.5

Prediction

Florida was able to stop Florida State’s winning streak in this rivalry matchup, winning 41-14 last season. I think they start their own winning streak this year. Florida’s defense is just too talented, and they’ll force Florida State into mistakes on offense. Once they find their running game, and Trask is able to frustrate the Seminoles through the air, the Gators coast to a BCS bowl.

Prediction: Florida 31, Florida State 10