Florida football will meet rival Florida State for the 68th time, and 30th time in Tallahassee, when the two schools meet Saturday night in Tallahassee
The Florida Gators (6-5, 4-4 SEC) have lost two straight in the series and are seeking their first win against the Seminoles since knocking off FSU 24-21 at The Swamp on Nov. 27, 2021.
Florida can clinch a winning record with a win Saturday and close the regular season with its first three-game win streak since Sept. 9-23, 2023, against McNeese, Tennessee and Charlotte.
“Trying to finish the race here,” Florida football coach Billy Napier said. “I think that’s been the message this week.”
Florida State (2-9, 1-7 ACC) snapped a six-game losing streak with a 41-7 win over Charleston Southern last week. The game will feature a matchup of freshman quarterbacks, with Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (79-for-135, 1,477 yards, 9 TDs, 6 inteceptions) facing FSU quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (29-for-56, 362 yards, 3 TDs, 2 interceptions).
Florida’s defense has recorded at least one takeaway in eight straight games and has recorded turnovers in 10 of 11 games so far this season.
“It’s key that we put extra-effort plays on the film, that we play with physicality,” Napier said. “Obviously, we want to be elite communicators, and the game comes down to point-of-attack, one-on-one wins.”
Freshman quarterback DJ Lagway is 9 of 15 for 100 yards with 1 TD and 1 interception in his first Florida-FSU game. UF’s defense is pitching a shutout with 5 sacks and 2 forced turnovers. Florida outgained FSU 192-79 in the first half and will get the kickoff to start the third quarter.
Lagway made a heck of a play in the second quarter shedding an FSU pass rusher and completing a pass to Chimere Dike downfield.
Florida extends its lead to 14-0 with 25 seconds left in the first half as quarterback DJ Lagway caps a nine-play, 80-yard TD drive with a 4-yard TD pass to wide receiver Marcus Burke.
Florida has outgained Florida State 57-22, with 56 yards on the ground. Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is 1 of 5 for 1 yard passing so far.
Representatives of the Taxslayer Gator Bowl are in attendance for tonight’s game between Florida football and FSU. The Gator Bowl with an SEC-ACC tie in, is a possible destination for UF this bowl season.
Off an FSU turnover, Florida drives 14 yards on two plays as Ja’Kobi Jackson scores on a one-yard TD run to give the Gators a 7-0 lead on FSU with 2:28 left in the first half. The TD was set up on a Jack Pyburn strip sack of FSU quarterback Luke Kromenhoek, which freshman defensive lineman D’Antre Robinson recovered at FSU’s 14-yard line. Florida has now forced a takeaway in nine straight games.
Defensive back Aaron Gates, right guard Dameion George Jr. and linebacker Grayson Howard are out for Florida. Defensive lineman Cam Jackson limped off the field with a leg injury the first play of the game.
Freshman quarterback DJ Lagway will improve to 5-1 as a starter as Florida will control time of position and run all over a weary FSU defense. Defensively, Florida will continue to play at a high level and hold an opponent under 17 points for the third straight game.
Final Score prediction: Florida 38, Florida State 14
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Nov. 29.
Betting line: Florida -16.5
O/U: 45.5 points
Per weather.com, the forecast for the Florida-Florida State game at kickoff at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla., is 46 degrees with a 4% chance of rain and winds from the northeast at 4 mph.
Florida football vs Florida State tickets can be purchased secondary markets such as such as StubHub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek.
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