The Gators are favored by 7 points, while I think it could be more based on the two teams records, I think this is about right for this rivalry game. I think FSU will be primed and ready but I also think the Gators will hang tough. My biggest concern about the Gators is what was our strength going into the season, our defense. Without Marcus Thomas we are a bend and hope we don't break defense. The other team holds the ball for long periods of time and our defense doesn't seem to kick in until the opponet reaches our 30 yard line. Those drives along with our own offense have caused there to be only about 6-7 possessions per game for our games. This of couse tends to hold down the scoring. However I think the Gators prevail 31-17. But I would settle for 3-0.
I just can't see this as a competitive game. I think F$U has quit, and even if they haven't they are just terrible. They aren't even a good home team this year. I understand that sometimes rivalries like this can affect the game, but I think if the Gators get a fast start it could get ugly. Not to mention that the Gators have a lot to play for and F$U has really nothing but a very low ranked bowl I guess if they win and get to bowl eligble.
I would be surprised if FSU can hang in there with Florida. Guess we will have to wait and see. I am not throwing away 15 points on this one! :wink: Don
Some recruiting information on FSU/UF ....FSU has (based on recruiting rankings) a lot of underperforming talent. Recruiting Statistics from Scout.com 2006 Florida #2 ranked class (7 top 100) FSU #12 ranked class (3 top 100) 2005 Florida #11 ranked class (2 top 100) FSU #3 ranked class (8 top 100) 2004 Florida #8 ranked class (5 top 100) FSU #4 ranked class (7 top 100) 2003 Florida #4 ranked class (10 top 100) FSU #12 ranked class (2 top 100) 2002 Florida #20 ranked class (3 top 100) FSU #6 ranked class (7 top 100) Since 2002 Florida's average recruiting rank: #9 FSU's average recruiting rank: #7 Number of Top 100 players Florida-27 FSU-27
This year UF is headed for another top 2 class. If these rankings are anywhere near accurate Meyer's Gators will be dominant soon.
I know its a rivalry game <t>but I just can't see FSU competing with Florida in this game.<br/> <br/> Florida is a very good team, and FSU just isn't.</t>
Corey, I tend to agree except to say that this is a big rivalry and like when Auburn and Georgia played it didn't make sense for Georgia to win but they did. I think the Gators should win, but we have only beat them at their field 1 time in 20 years. Terry, one thing those recruiting rankings don't show is the number of players that don't get into school and FSU typicall has 3-5 and the Gators typically 1 or so. And some of that talent that don't get in one year gets listed again on next years recruiting list also. I think that in reality the Gators have outrecruited FSU for about the last 5 years or so if you count only the players that make it into school.
8) I agree with the negativos here. FSU has quit. Their players are demoralized, their O-coordinator has been fired, their coach is an elderly old fraud, the boosters are in full rebellion, the administration is in full retreat and the only thing that can end the suffering is the final whistle of the last game. The Gators need to put these guys out of their misery and get out of there without anyone getting hurt...
I'm breaking the rules of the topic to congratulate the ACC for trying to put a competent crew on the field today and getting the calls right and showing the objective of getting them right. The Gators were penalized more than FSU significantly but none were on B/S ticky tack calls. The change of possession reviews were timely and shown correctly by replay review and called correctly by the replay ref. Some went for UF and some went against but I had no argument with any of them. Nice game by the ACC refs and nice try by FSU in the second half and nice degree of toughness shown by the Gators to win in Tallahassee for the second time in a row. I would like to have had this crew in Auburn, Alabama back in October.
Sorry you can't accept my objective views Gipper. I guess you didn't watch the game? As I have said...maybe you're right about me because when ND beat Florida in their only meeting the refs no doubt determined the outcome of that one. I couldn't believe how they let Bettis bull his way through the Florida defense. That was definitely against the rules and it wasn't called.
I'm normally in full gloat mode about the officiating at this time of the year. The Pac10 has historically had some of the best referees out there. But not this year. With so many obvious bonehead calls in big games involving Pac10 refs...I'm keeping vewy, vewy, quiet...