Game Day: Gators Host Seminoles In Regular-Season Finale (4:30 p.m./ESPN2)
Saturday, November 29, 2025 | Football, Scott Carter
They have put on a good face, said the right things, and fought hard in losses to Georgia and Ole Miss. What they have not done is win a game.
They are down to their final opportunity on Saturday afternoon. The Gators (3-8) host Florida State (5-6) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in the regular-season finale, seeking to snap a four-game losing streak.
The Gators will attempt to send out the seniors with a victory over the Seminoles and deliver interim head coach Billy Gonzales, who has handled a difficult stretch with class and professionalism, his first career win.
"I think he's done a great job,'' fifth-year senior Austin Barber said. "He's been here for a long time. He was here when I first got here. He's been here every year except one. I love him, and I think he's doing a really good job. It's obviously hard with a coaching change."
The latest edition of the Gators and Seminoles features many similarities. Both teams opened the season with high expectations. Florida was ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25 and climbed as high as 13th before dropping out of the rankings. FSU was unranked in its season opener against No. 8 Alabama, but after beating the Crimson Tide and starting 3-0, the Seminoles climbed to No. 8 before spiraling into a four-game losing streak.
Seminoles coach Mike Norvell faced the same heat as Napier, but two years removed from a 13-1 season, FSU's administration announced that Norvell will return next season. Napier was not as fortunate, concluding his UF stint with a 22-23 record. Norvell is 38-33 in his sixth season at FSU.
Meanwhile, as Florida has lost to Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Tennessee under Gonzales, the players have had to deal with the uncertainties of the program's direction. Barber said the constant speculation and questions about who will be the Gators' next coach have not been a major factor in the team's struggles.
"I think we have a really good culture,'' he said. "It's out there. Obviously, you look at it. But we still have a job to do and go play on the field. Whoever is the next coach won't be coaching me, so I try to look at it and finish the season strong."
Florida beat the Seminoles a season ago in Tallahassee to snap a two-game losing streak in the series. The Gators must rise to the occasion again on Saturday to avoid the program's first nine-loss season since 1979.
To do so, they will need to limit big plays. FSU's offense is ranked ninth among FBS programs, averaging 478 yards per game, including 223.6 on the ground. Quarterback Tommy Castellanos directs a unit that has 37 plays of 30 or more yards, and 19 plays of 40 or more yards. Castellanos has passed for 2,520 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and leads the team with 480 rushing yards, edging tailback Gavin Sawchuk (479). Receiver Duce Robinson is a constant threat and has 53 receptions for 1,021 yards and six scores.
The FSU offense vs. Florida defense figures prominently in the 69th all-time meeting between the in-state rivals. The Gators rank 69th nationally and 13th in the Southeastern Conference in total defense (374.1 yards per game). FSU's defense is ranked 27th nationally and fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (318.7).
As for Florida's offense, the Gators rank 108th among FBS programs and 15th in the SEC (332.4), and have scored 30 points only once this season (a 55-0 win over Long Island in the season opener). Sophomore running back Jadan Baugh has done his part and is 96 yards shy of becoming the first UF running back since Kelvin Taylor in 2015 to rush for 1,000 yards.
Turnovers have plagued both teams, with Florida at minus-2 and FSU at minus-4 in turnover margin. UF sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway, who was 14 of 22 for 133 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Florida's 31-11 victory over FSU last season, has faced injuries and growing pains in Year 2. Lagway has thrown for 2,096 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Based on what pundits have seen from these teams in 2025, there is no clear-cut favorite. Florida is a 1.5-point favorite, boosted undoubtedly by being at home and playing in front of its 18th consecutive sold-out crowd at "The Swamp."
Coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN2 with Jay Alter on play-by-play, Rocky Boiman providing analysis and reporter Marilyn Payne working the sidelines. The Gators Sports Network from Learfield broadcast will air with pregame coverage hosted by Jeff Cardozo beginning at 1:30 p.m. and eventually give way to the team of Sean Kelley, Shane Matthews and Tate Casey on the call. For GSN stations, click here.
The game will re-air on an ESPN network on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET, and on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 2 to 5 a.m.
Finally, follow senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) on X for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete post-game coverage from the game late Saturday night.
