From the 1990s through right around 2000, the Florida State Seminoles and Florida Gators always knew that their rivalry game was going to be one for the ages. The road to the National Championship quite often went through one of these two teams, and sometimes both. Both know that they are going to have a chance to play in a BCS bowl game this year, and many think that the Seminoles could legitimately be National Championship contenders as well. This is going to be a heck of a battle in Tallahassee, and it is a game that you won’t want to miss. The whole state of Florida will be watching, as the men in blue and orange fight it out with the men in garnet and gold. Don’t miss our Florida @ Florida State picks for Rivalry Week on the college football betting odds.

Florida Gators @ Florida State Seminoles Picks & Info
Florida Gators @ Florida State Seminoles Date: Saturday, November 24th
Florida Gators @ Florida State Seminoles Location: Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Florida Gators @ Florida State Seminoles Spread: Florida State Seminoles -6.5

Florida had as disastrous of a season as it could have had last year, and the end result was that the team just barely squeaked into a bowl game. The second year for Head Coach Will Muschamp could be a struggle as well, though we think that the squad is going to be able to do a lot more in the SEC this time around than it did last year against a horrifying schedule. The combination of QBs Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel will really have to pick it up from where they were last year, though the fact that the two sophomores are going to take over under center isn’t that much of a loss, considering how poorly QB Jeff Brantley played last year. The running back position, one of which was so deep at Florida for so many years, just isn’t that deep any longer with both RBs Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps gone for the NFL. Instead, Muschamp is going to be relying on his defense to slow down the Noles. The 10 returning starters will make this team improved for sure, but we just don’t know if these 10 have it in them to be able to slow down the garnet and gold offense.

Florida Gators vs. Florida State Seminoles Past Games (Since 1995)
2011: Florida State 21 – Florida 7
2010: Florida State 31 – Florida 7
2009: Florida 37 – Florida State 10
2008: Florida 45 – Florida State 15
2007: Florida 45 – Florida State 12
2006: Florida 34 – Florida State 7
2005: Florida 34 – Florida State 7
2004: Florida 20 – Florida State 13
2003: Florida State 38 – Florida 34
2002: Florida State 31 – Florida 14
2001: Florida 37 – Florida State 13
2000: Florida State 30 – Florida 7
1999: Florida State 30 – Florida 23
1998: Florida State 23 – Florida 12
1997: Florida 32 – Florida State 29
1997: Florida 52 – Florida State 20 (Sugar Bowl)
1996: Florida State 24 – Florida 21
1995: Florida 35 – Florida State 24

Many think that this is the year that Florida State can really contend for the BCS National Championship this year, but we have heard of that a heck of a lot of late. FSU has been able to get to the top of the charts in the ACC, but this is the most experienced team that we have seen since Head Coach Bobby Bowden left the program. QB EJ Manuel is in his senior year, and he has an offensive line in front of him that has a lot of experience. The receivers and the running backs have a lot of potential, and the defense returns eight starters from a unit that, at times, was dominating last year. The entire front seven is back, and though the secondary took a big time shot with the dismissal of DB Greg Reid, and that is going to be difficult to overcome. With Florida running the football so much though, the front seven is going to be all that more important.

Florida @ Florida State Free Picks^^: Laying 6.5 is going to be a bit much, but we think that this number is only going to be going up, not down. We just don’t know if the Gators have the ability to come on the road and win a game against a National Championship contender. If Head Coach Jimbo Fisher can keep his team together and ready for the big time scene, this should be a game that should be won by at least 10.

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