University of Florida

The Florida State vs Boston College football game surprised, with the outcome favoring the good guys. The Seminoles were on the precipice of defeat, facing a losing season and an end to bowl eligibility for the first time in nearly four decades. While the Seminoles remain in a precarious position, they carry with them a sense of momentum and unity we have not seen since the 2016 season. I speak sincerely when I say that Florida State will play with a sense of urgency. They have everything to lose, and will fight to the bitter end against their hated rivals from Gainesville. They’ll need to, if they hope to beat the surging Gators.

I do think that the Florida Gators are overrated this season. They beat an overrated LSU team at home, with a pick-six, in a game they otherwise would of lost. They lost their starting quarterback to injury. They lost to an unranked Mizzou team, as well as overrated (but over-performing) Kentucky squad, in addition to a loss against Georgia. While efficient, they are certainly beatable and not the giants their fan base is proclaiming themselves to be. In usual Gator fashion though, they’re confident that this is the year the Gators will come back to the top.

While the Gators have something to play for (good bowl berth and ending their losing streak to FSU), the Seminoles have more to fight for. The Gators play in Tallahassee. Simultaneously, the Gators will be more fresh for this game after squashing powerhouse FCS program Idaho. Yet Florida State proves time and again that they will fight for their coach and to not be the team to end their program’s streaks. Florida State has pride that they fight for, as well as history. Florida State has the superior quarterback at helm, and a competent back-up. Florida State has a defense that can turn a run-heavy team one-dimensional. Franks isn’t a gunslinger; he’s a game manager. Remove a dimension of the offense, and Franks will be forced to make big plays to win the game. Franks has proven he can lead a team from behind (at home) to win this season. Franks, however, has not shown the resolve to beat a team that is willing to give everything in a rivalry game to sustain their legacy. Not this season, at least.

I must admit: I did not believe Florida State would beat Boston College this past weekend. The game was ugly to watch. But Florida State grew in that game, and earned victory in a game that, really, shouldn’t of been that close to begin. I’ve a sneaking suspicion that the Seminoles had the flutters against Boston College. Looking-ahead to hated rivals in Florida, yet not wanting to lose to a team they were blown-out against the previous season. The legacy and streaks of Seminoles past lingering on their minds. A three game losing streak where the Noles were humiliated against elite playoff contenders and an offensively dynamic NC State in Raleigh. Boston College was a slug-fest, a true college football game. I don’t remember the last time I saw the Noles play with such heart. They could of let the game slip away, but made the plays to achieve victory.

They now only have one goal in mind: BEAT THE DAMN GATORS.

Final Verdict

The noon game against the Gators won’t be easy. They are a very efficient team. Franks is a game manager. Florida State, if they make mistakes and let the game get in their heads, can be blown-out by Florida. They can slip easily into their negative tendencies, their recent habits and trends. Florida State fans can witness their pride, joy, legacy, and history humiliated on national television, a shell of it’s former self.

That will not happen on Saturday.

The Florida State team that left the field this past Saturday was not the same as the team that entered it. This Florida State team grew into itself this past Saturday. This is a team that knows how to win against great defenses. This is a team that knows how to turn other teams on their heels. This is a Florida State team that doesn’t let mistakes dictate the outcome of the game. This is a Florida State team that can call itself a true Florida State team. This team would beat Virginia Tech in a re-match. This team would beat Miami AT Miami! This Florida State team would of meet my pre-season expectations. While my expectations weren’t met this season, my eyes and heart tell me that this team has more to prove.

Florida State’s defense can turn the Gator’s offense into a one-dimensional mess with Franks at helm. The Florida State offense is finally making strides thanks to a surging Cam Akers run game that has been sorely missed. Deondre Francois is clutch in the final stretch of games, and is a more efficient game-manager than Franks (and more dynamic quarterback than Franks). This is our Senior game. We have streaks to maintain, and we aren’t making the same penalty mistakes that have plagued us in previous games this season. This team is worthy of the Florida State legacy, and I believe Willie Taggart will coach the game of his career against the Gators and Dan Mullen.

Give me the Noles, who keep all their streaks alive.

Florida: 24

Florida State: 30

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