With both teams down to their backup quarterbacks, there is much on the line in the 2023 Sunshine Showdown. The Seminoles are looking to continue an undefeated season and earn a berth into the College Football Playoff. For Florida, a win secures bowl eligibility.
See Also: Gators Seek Bowl Eligibility in Battle of Backup QBs
The following are our staff’s predictions for Florida vs Florida State:
Carson Euverard – In a battle of backup quarterbacks, Tate Rodemaker will be tasked with saving Florida State’s season this weekend in a game with big implications for both teams. The Gators are playing for bowl eligibility and the Seminoles are looking to make the College Football Playoffs. The Swamp will be buzzing this weekend, especially after Rodemaker claimed it won’t be much different than playing in front of 14 thousand fans at Valdosta High School.
The Gators have struggled against mobile quarterbacks and will match-up better against the pocket passer Rodemaker. The secondary will need to limit explosive plays by wide receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson to stay in the game.The mobile Max Brown will lead the Gators on offense for his first collegiate start.
The offense might be a glimpse into the future of how it will run when Gator commit DJ Lagway takes over. RPOs, designed runs and heavy play-action will be used to keep Florida State guessing.This game will come down to who limits penalties and explosive plays. The pressure is on Rodemaker and the Seminoles and I think a crazy environment will help the Gators steal a close win, 24-21.
Alyssa Britton-Harr – One of Florida’s most extensive college rivalries has taken an unexpected turn with both QB1s out with season-ending injuries.
Florida State beat North Alabama last weekend, but even with Jordan Travis in the game, the Seminoles fell behind in the first half. In the second half, unfortunately with Travis out, the team began to find its groove and won the game.
At the same time, the Gators found themselves in a similar situation with Graham Mertz out after he suffered a broken collarbone injury in the third quarter against Mizzou. Florida second-string Max Brown entered the game and made some great plays, but the defense could not hold Mizzou back from the 43rd-yard line, which allowed them to score a last-minute field goal and take the lead.
While both teams have some detrimental setbacks, the battle of the backups will be a testament to everyone working together on both sides of the ball. Florida has shown they can make comebacks and win, but it comes down to last-minute decisions that they have yet to be able to execute in the past couple of games. The Seminole’s defense is a key component to their team’s success, and with the way the Gators have been playing, the decisions on defense have been a setback in some ways. The game will be great on both ends, but I can see Florida State winning, 30-21.
Hugh Green – In a rivalry that dates back to 1958, the Sunshine State Showdown between the Florida Gators and the Florida State Seminoles is a game that never disappoints. The matchup this year took a turn that nobody foresaw, but brings an added bit of uncertainty for both sides. Both Florida and FSU will be without their starting quarterbacks Graham Mertz and Jordan Travis, respectively after season-ending injuries last week. Because of these injuries, Max Brown and Tate Rodemaker will have to step up in a must-win game for both teams.Coming into this one at 5-6, Brown and the Gators are looking to become bowl eligible for the 30th time in the last 33 years. The redshirt freshman will be making the first start of his career against the Seminoles in a game where he can prove why he was a top-15 player in Oklahoma coming out of high school. Brown showed his ability to use his legs in his limited playing time last week against Missouri, which is something he will have to do against a Florida State team that is giving up 140 yards per game on the ground this season. On the other side, Rodemaker and FSU come into this game ranked No. 5 in the College Football Playoff poll with an 11-0 record. This will be Rodemaker’s second career start and his first since his freshman season in 2020. The redshirt junior threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns as he led a comeback win over North Alabama. This week will present a much taller task, however, as he goes into a hostile environment where the Gators are 4-1 so far this season. When these two teams meet, the records get thrown out the window as the Florida faithful will be deafening in The Swamp. With the players and fans amped up for a game of this magnitude, it will be too much for Rodemaker and the Seminoles as the Gators pull off the upset. Florida, 34-31.
Regan Roberts – What was a highly anticipated rivalry matchup has turned into a backup quarterback face off. The Seminoles will be without Jordan Travis and the Gators will be without Graham Mertz. A lot is on the line for this game – Florida State currently sits at No. 5, and to have any chance at making the CFB, needs to remain undefeated. Florida is looking for their 6th win and a chance at a bowl game.Florida looked like the team that we knew they were capable of being against Mizzou, but it all fell apart at the end. Last-minute decision making was the downfall for the Gators. Chances are, if Etienne stayed in-bounds on the Gators last possession, the Gators could’ve come away with a win. The Gators will take their momentum from last game into this one, and not make the same mistakes they did last week. They will come away with a win, spoiling the Seminoles season. Gators win, 27-24.
Brian Fox – The Gators enter the regular season finale as 6.5-point underdogs despite the Seminoles being without star QB Jordan Travis. What does that mean the line would have been with him? In a series where anything can happen, that seems a bit absurd. This game is full of question marks for Florida. Can Max Brown lead this team to a victory and to bowl eligibility? That’s to be seen. I’m taking the Gators, 27-17.
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Florida and Florida State renew their rivalry Saturday at 7:00 PM at The Swamp. The game will be aired live on ESPN.
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