It’s gameday. The Florida Gators are set to clash with their instate rivals on Friday night inside Doak Campbell stadium. The Seminoles hold all of the momentum going into the final week of the 2022 regular season, but anything can happen in this historic rivalry.
Gator Country gives you ten players to look out in this week 13 matchup.
ANTHONY RICHARDSON QB #15
Richardson is going to need to be aggressive in week 13 if the Gators want any chance of upsetting the Noles on the road. Florida’s injury riddled receiving unit may not be much help Friday night, which means Napier needs to get creative with Richardson and this Gators offense early on in the game. Richardson is a 6-4, 240-pound athlete and has proven he can shake off multiple edge defenders, even if they are in a position to make the play. I want to see #15 run the football; even if it’s not highly effective, it keeps the defense honest. I expect FSU’s defense to show a good amount of man-to-man coverage with eight defenders in the box, daring Richardson to take shots downfield to an inexperienced receiving core.
JORDAN TRAVIS QB #13
The 5th year quarterback is having his best season yet for the Seminoles. Accuracy and arm talent has been the knock on Travis in the past, that’s not the case in 2022. He’s completed 65.3% of his passes for 2,526 yards, 21 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Travis is no slouch of an athlete either as he’s ran for 1,641 yards and 22 touchdowns in his career. He hasn’t been as prominent of a runner in 2022, but that’s because he hasn’t had to be. His offensive line, run game, and receiving core is as strong as it’s been in years.
DAEJON REYNOLDS WR #8
The redshirt freshman is slated to make his first career start for Florida in week 13. Reynolds exploded a week ago, catching eight passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns against Vanderbilt. Reynolds led the Gators receiving core in snaps last week and I would not be surprised if that remains true this week. Ricky Pearsall and Caleb Douglas will be heavily involved as well.
JOHNNY WILSON WR #14
The Arizona State transfer is a mismatch nightmare. His 6-7, 235-pound frame has been difficult to defend all season. Wilson has totaled 33 catches for 649 yards and five touchdowns through 11 games this season. Florida hasn’t fared well with mismatches this season, which leads me to major concerns entering week 13.
DEREK WINGO #15 LB
The staff turned to Derek Wingo after Ventrell Miller was ejected for targeting a week ago. Napier said that Shemar James and Derek Wingo will both play significant amounts in the first half of the game as Miller can’t play until the 2nd half. Wingo has played sparingly over his three-year career with Florida, but I expect him to have a major impact in the first half of week 13. Wingo will be tasked with slowing down FSU’s running game which ranks 14th in the FBS.
JARED VERSE DL #5
The Albany transfer may be FSU’s best player on either side of the football. He’s registered 7.5 sacks through 10 games this season. Verse is a freak athlete that may find himself in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. Florida’s tackles will have their hands full trying to limit Jared Verse on Friday night.
MONTRELL JOHNSON RB #2
Johnson has been Florida’s offensive MVP this season. He’s one touchdown away from double digit rushing touchdowns, which will bring him to 22 rushing touchdowns through two collegiate seasons. Florida needs an effective running game to beat the Noles and Johnson will lead the charge.
TREY BENSON RB #3
Mike Norvell will lean on several running backs, but sophomore Trey Benson may be the best of the bunch. He’s averaging 7.1 yards per carry, totaling 854 yards and six touchdowns. Slowing down the Noles rushing attack makes things much more difficult for them.
GERVON DEXTER DL #9
Florida needs to dominate the line of scrimmage to win this game and that starts with Gervon Dexter. Dexter hasn’t filled up the stat sheet through three seasons at Florida, but he has a positive impact on the game nonetheless. Dexter will need to continue drawing double teams in hopes to clog up FSU’s rushing attack. Getting to the QB is going to be a major key in this game.
KALEN DELOACH LB #4
Deloach is a speedy linebacker that may be tasked with spying Anthony Richardson for 60 minutes. The redshirt junior has 50 tackles, three sacks, and seven pass deflections on the season.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
ANTWUAN POWELL-RYLAND EDGE #52
Powell-Ryland has stepped up to the plate in absence of Brenton Cox. The Gators need him to continue getting to the QB.
JAMIE ROBINSON DB #10
FSU’s best defensive back will be all over the field Friday night.