It’s rivalry week in college football. While the Gators and Seminoles expected more from their 2025 season, there’s still a year’s worth of bragging rights on the line and a chance to build momentum heading into the offseason.
Florida (3-8, 2-6 SEC) is right in the middle of searching for its next coach, but the Gators are focused on beating one of their most hated rivals and sending their seniors out with a victory. Florida can also keep Florida State from going to a bowl game, which provides additional motivation for some players throughout the locker room.
FSU (5-6, 2-6 ACC) publicly announced that head coach Mike Norvell will return for the 2026 season, a decision that hasn’t sat well with the Seminole fan base. After an impressive 13-1 2023 campaign, the Noles have won just seven games in their last 23 matchups.
Tensions are high between these two schools after the 2023 sod incident and the 2024 flag planting. Despite disappointing records, UF vs. FSU can always be entertaining.
The series dates back to 1958 with the Gators owning a 38-28-2 lead and wins in four of the last six.
BAUGH TO 1,000
If you are looking for a storyline that doesn’t have to do with the outcome of the game, sophomore running back Jadan Baugh needs 96 yards to become Florida’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Kelvin Taylor in 2015.
While Baugh’s focus remains winning football games, Florida’s offensive line is determined to reach the milestone.
“We’re gonna do what we can to get him there,” redshirt senior Jake Slaughter said on Wednesday.
Baugh has established himself as one of the best running backs in college football given his unique size and make you miss ability. He’s also grown as a pass catcher, highlighted by his 33 receptions and 210 receiving yards this season.
Florida State allows 125.9 rushing yards per game on average, ranking 35th in the country.
FSU BETTER THAN RECORD?
The belief around Florida’s locker room is that FSU is better than its 5-6 record indicates. FSU opened the season with a dominant 31-17 vs. Alabama, who currently ranks No.10 in the country. Through the first three games of the season, it looked like the Noles may be legitimate National Championship contenders, that was until they lost four consecutive games.
FSU is 0-4 in games decided by one score this season. They have found ways to lose close games including their last matchup against NC State, where they lost after back-to-back muffed punts.
The Seminoles’ offense ranks 9th in the country at 478 yards per game. While the numbers seen daunting, FSU’s offense hasn’t looked the same since early in the season, scoring 13 points or less in three of their last five games.
GATORS HAVE TO LIMIT RUN
Florida has allowed a combined 718 rushing yards in the last three games, an average of nearly 240 yards per game. This is a shocking statistic after the first eight games of the season when Florida ranked 35th in run defense, allowing just 120 rushing yards per game.
FSU averages 223.4 yards per game on the ground, ranking 11th in the country. The Seminoles operate with multiple running backs while their quarterback is another hat in the mix. The Gators will have contain Tommy Castellanos and keep him from making explosives in the run game. Castellanos leads FSU with eight rushing touchdowns and 118 rushing attempts.
It’s hard to imagine a Gators victory if they allow 230+ yards on the ground for the fourth straight game given their struggling offense.