Florida State football, Florida have a pregame scuffle in Gainesville

Florida and Florida State football are both  5-6; the Gators fired head coach Dan Mullen a week ago. Florida State’s roster is not very good and the Gators are supposed to have already packed it in, preparing for final exams.

Well, someone forgot to tell these young men who were involved in a bit of a scuffle before the game this afternoon in Gainesville:

Florida State comes into this game with all of the momenta at 5-6, having won their last two games to allow themselves to get to the postseason for the first time under head coach Mike Norvell.

The Gators are trying to pick up the pieces of what was supposed to be a special season in Gainesville. Maligned head coach Dan Mullen was fired after a season that fell apart after a close loss to No. 2 Alabama.

However, don’t tell the Gators they are dead in the water just yet. Florida scored the first points of the game with a beautiful pass from Emory Jones to Kemore Gamble. Gators up early in this game:

This game, known as the Sunshine Showdown, has not been close historically, with the Seminoles leading the series 36-26-2. There have been memorable moments in this rivalry. Four of the best games happened in the 1990s.

First was the “Choke at Doke.” The Gators built a 31-3 lead only to surrender 28 unanswered points to tie the game. Head coach Bobby Bowden decided not to go for two, leading to a tie and a rematch in the Sugar Bowl.

The Seminoles would win the “Fifth Quarter in the French Quarter” 23 -17.

This rivalry game is profoundly personal that divides families. In case you don’t think Gators and Seminoles take this game seriously:

Enjoy Rivalry Week, folks.