Gators Can Spoil FSU's Bowl Bid

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – There is a lot of chatter this week about how far the Gators and Seminoles have fallen. Both teams are 4-6 heading into Saturday's clash at The Swamp.

Remember the 1990s when the UF-FSU rivalry factored into the national championship picture nearly every season? If not, ask your dad or older brother. They have stories to tell.

Florida and FSU have losing records. Think about this: Every season from 1990-2000 – 11 seasons in a row -- they met at end of season with BOTH in top 10. Five times in that span, both were in TOP FIVE. Ahh, good times.
— Mike Huguenin (@MikeHuguenin) November 20, 2017

As for 2017 – the 20-year anniversary of arguably the greatest game in the rivalry's history, a 32-29 Florida win at an electric Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – no one expects a classic in the 62nd meeting between the schools.

Neither program has had the kind of year it expected when preseason camp started in August. The Seminoles opened the season ranked third in the country and the Gators were 17th in the AP Top 25 preseason poll.

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FSU's season began to crumble is the season-opening 24-7 loss to No. 1 Alabama when redshirt sophomore quarterback Deondre Francois was lost for the season because of a knee injury. Meanwhile, Florida's season took a turn for the worse after a 3-1 start. The Gators lost five consecutive games until last week's 36-7 win over UAB.

Despite their struggles, when the teams step onto Florida Field on Saturday afternoon, you know it's going to be intense and feisty. These teams don't like each other and that's what makes it one of the college football's top rivalries, even when neither are bowl eligible.

"This is a rivalry game. This is a state game. These teams always challenge each other no matter what," Gators interim head coach Randy Shannon said. "So no matter what the record is and what the talent level is on both sides of the football, it's going to be a very hard, physical game that you want to be a part of."

If the Gators need additional motivation, they can snap FSU's NCAA-best 35 consecutive years of going to a bowl game. The Seminoles need to win their final two games to become bowl eligible. They rescheduled their game with Louisiana-Monroe for Dec. 2 after Hurricane Irma canceled the original date to keep the possibility alive.

FSU last failed to make a bowl game in 1981 when it lost its final three regular-season games – capped by a 35-3 loss to Florida – to finish 6-5. Florida, assured of losing season for just the second time since 1980, can salvage a late-season highlight with a victory.

"There's not much to look forward to this season," said Gators receiver Dre Massey in preparation of his first UF-FSU matchup. "We hear they have an opportunity at a bowl game, so we're going to just spoil that."

The Gators lead the all-time series 34-25-2. However, the Seminoles have been dominant of late, winning six of the past seven meetings and three in a row in Gainesville.

Since he replaced ex-Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden in 2010, FSU's Jimbo Fisher is 6-1 against the Gators. FSU has won three in a row in Gainesville.

Fisher, like Shannon, isn't putting much stock in the records or talk about how the game doesn't mean as much this year.

"Both teams are extremely used to success. Always have been, always will be, and will be in the future," Fisher said. "That's why it's one of the great rivalries because there's true meaning in the outcome of the game."

Florida's last win in the series came in 2012 in Tallahassee. The Gators are due.

"They are our biggest in-state rival,'' UF offensive lineman Tyler Jordan said. "It's a big game in The Swamp and it's going to be a fun one. Beating Florida State is something that we're going to do and it will help our fans. They've been along with us for the whole ride and I think a win against FSU helps that out."

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Gators Can Spoil FSU's Bowl Bid

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