FSU Preview: Florida State at Florida

On Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN2 the Seminoles will be in Gainesville to take on the Florida Gators.

The Gators are 3-8 on the season with wins against Long Island, Texas and Mississippi State and losses to South Florida, LSU, Miami, Texas A&M, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.

FSU is 28-38-2 versus UF all time. The last win in the series came in 2023 in the Swamp. FSU won 24-15.

Observations from the last game

Going into the game NC State was last in pass defense so I was hoping that FSU would call more pass plays. Malzahn kept trying to establish the run after the Castellanos’ interception. NC State had a tough time stopping the pass and the quarterback scramble and FSU only scored 11 points.

Special teams was a disaster in the 4^th quarter and not very good the other 3 quarters. The defense played great against a high-powered offense giving the team chances to win time and time again.

Florida State offense versus Florida defense

The Florida State offense will do what it has done all season and that is establish the run. The ‘Noles should give Ousmane Kromah and Sam Singleton the bulk of the carries. The Gators haven’t had much success stopping the run, but the numbers are somewhat skewed due to their gauntlet of a schedule. The defensive front is still very talented with Kamran James, Tyreek Sapp and George Gumbs leading the group.

The Gators should be zeroed in on stopping the run early, so I expect receiver Duce Robinson to be targeted often, as he should be. Robinson has had an incredible season with 53 catches, 1,053 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. FSU will be able to move the ball but need to score touchdowns in the redzone.

Florida State defense versus Florida offense

The Florida offense has struggled with turnovers, but when they hang on to ball, they can put up points. Quarterback DJ Lagway can carve up defenses, but he has been very inconsistent tossing 13 touchdown and 13 interceptions (5 against LSU). The most consistent player on the Florida offense has been running back Jadan Baugh, who has 906 rushing yards, 33 receptions and 8 total touchdowns. The go to receivers are Vernell Brown and Eugene Wilson.

The Seminoles much-improved defense is now up to 27^th in the FBS in yards per game given up. This is due to better communication, better tackling and understanding the defense more and more. I expect them to have another good game with the linebackers Elijah Herring and Blake Nichelson containing Baugh. The key on this side of the ball is turnovers. If Florida State can force 2 or 3 takeaways they could walk out with a victory.

Special Teams

Advantage: Florida

Prediction

Florida has played better at home except for the Tennessee game and FSU starts off slow in road. I think the road struggles continue for the Seminoles as the season ends in the swamp.

Florida State 20 Florida 24