FSU chasing statement win over rival Florida
TALLAHASSEE — FSU is in unfamiliar territory as it prepares for its trip to the Swamp. The Seminoles are three-point underdogs to Florida and have a chance to squash the Gators’ playoff hopes.
Both teams, however, are ranked and fighting for relevance on the national scene heading into Saturday’s regular-season finale.
“It’s a Florida-Florida State game. Don’t matter it if you’re both 0-10, you got to go line up and play. ... This is one of the reasons you come to Florida State, to play a tremendous rivalry,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “They have [had] an outstanding season. They’re 10-1, we’re 9-2. That’s the way Florida-Florida State should be. It should be back to those teams. It has a lot of implications.”
No. 14 FSU (9-2) is hitting its stride in the past two weeks as No. 8 Florida (10-2) struggled to close out lesser teams during its past three contests.
The Seminoles are hoping to earn an invitation to a prestigious New Year’s Six bowl game with a victory while the Gators can make a strong case for a playoff spot if they beat FSU and then win the SEC Championship Game.
“You can always be the king of Florida,” FSU defensive back Lamarcus Brutus said. “It’s always an important game to win.”
This marks the first time since 2009 that Florida entered the week as a favorite over FSU.
It is also the first time since 2011 that FSU hasn’t had at least an outside shot at playing for a national title at this point in the season.
“I really don’t like it, but I’m ready,” said FSU defensive end DeMarcus Walker when asked about playing the role of spoiler.
Walker, a Jacksonville native, has a special disdain for the Gators given that he grew up in an area dominated by Florida fans.
Wearing an “I’m just a kid from Duval” T-shirt, Walker expressed his contempt for FSU’s biggest rival following the Seminoles’ 52-13 win over Tennessee-Chattanooga Saturday. “[We focus on them,] maybe during the offseason, because they talk so much crap on Twitter,” said Walker, making a reference to negative comments Republican presidential candidate and Florida alum Marco Rubio made about FSU earlier this year.
“Now it’s time for them to watch us do work.”
The rivalry game figures to be a defensive struggle. The Seminoles are ranked 11th nationally in scoring defense (17.0 points per game), while Florida is third nationally (14.5 points per game).
Florida has floundered on the other side of the ball, however, mustering just 360.1 yards per game. FSU is more complete on offense — the Seminoles average 435.9 yards per game — but has its flaws. The Seminoles, however, do feature Dalvin Cook.
“Dalvin Cook is the best running back we’ll play all season,” Florida defensive back Jalen Tabor told reporters Saturday. “[LSU’s] Leonard Fournette, [Alabama’s] Derrick Henry. Dalvin Cook is the best.”
FSU has not lost to Florida since 2012, which is the last time both teams were ranked inside the top 10 during the rivalry contest.
“It’s big. It’s bigger than us,” said Cook, who was once committed to Florida in high school. “[We’ve] just got to continue to keep the legacy going. It’s Florida and Florida State; gets no better than that.”