Florida State vs. Florida

One of college football biggest rivalries, Florida State vs. Florida, is set to kick off this weekend. According to Forbes magazine, Florida State vs. Florida is the best college football rivalry in the last 9 years. Both teams hate each other. Every player looks forward to this day since they signed their intent letter. Despite the intense history between these two teams, something just doesn’t seem right. The magic is not in the air this year.

Both teams are 7-3 and barely making the top 25 list. Florida State is still a lock for the ACC Championship game (the first one ever, being held in Jacksonville). FSU has lost 2 in a row, and could very well lose 5 in a row, which hasn’t happened since like the 70s. Florida State is an underdog heading into the Swamp this weekend. With a loss here, another loss to Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game, and possibly another loss in a Bowl game… it’s not looking good for Seminole fans.

The Gators are coming into this game 4 pt favorites, and should win because of the home field advantage. Despite the poor record, no shot at an SEC Championship, and an awful Bowl game, Florida fans will still come into the Swamp and scream their asses off. They don’t call the Swamp the hardest stadium to play in for nothing. It will be loud and hostile. Florida won last year at FSU, and will look to reclaim their home this Saturday. FSU’s last win in Gainesville came in 2003 with a lot of controversy. The refs were absolutely horrid blowing about 5 fumble calls among others. Urban Meyer needs to win this game more than Bowden needs to win his. Only 3 times in the history of the Gators has a coach beaten Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida State all in the same year. Meyer has a chance to make history with a victory over Florida State. Not to mention, the Gators haven’t lost at home all year, which is something Zook failed to accomplish.

Why have these two powerhouse football schools suddenly been on the decline? Is it due to poor recruiting? Is it because Florida has had 3 different coaches in the last 5 years? Is it because other schools in the conference are finally catching up. Teams that used to be at the bottom during the Spurrier days are now coming back. LSU, Auburn, and Alabama to name a few. While these teams rise, Florida and Tennessee are falling. Can we attribute FSU’s poor record to the simple fact that they play in a real division now with real opponents? They’ve always play Miami every year, but now you have to throw in Virginia Tech and Boston College. Winning in the ACC won’t be easy anymore.

My prediction: Florida 28 Florida State 17