Gameday Central: Florida State Seminoles vs Florida Gators – Previews, predictions, how to watch, odds

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Gameday Central: Florida State Seminoles vs Florida Gators - Previews, predictions, how to watch, odds

The Florida State Seminoles and Florida Gators (3-8, 2-6 SEC) will meet for the 69th not-so-nice meeting between the two programs this afternoon in Gainesville, FL. The Noles are playing for bowl eligibility, and the Gators are striving to avoid their worst season since 1979, when they ended with a winless record of 0-10-1. FSU has won five of the last seven matchups in Gainesville, including a 24-15 victory in 2023 to complete a perfect regular season. The game is set to kick off at 4:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The Seminole defense (5-6, 2-6 ACC) is expected to face a heavy dose of Gator running back Jadan Baugh, who needs 94 yards to reach the 1000-yard mark for the season, while averaging 5.0 YPC, and 82.2 rush YPG. Baugh is tied for 20th in the FBS with 27 explosive rushes of 10-plus yards, is ranked 11th in missed tackles forced with 52, and has 601 yards after contact this season, accounting for 66.5% of his net rushing yardage. He will be expected to pound the FSU defensive front repeatedly in an attempt to establish their running game and control the clock, stay in 3rd and manageable, and shorten the game. In other words, similar to what every team that has defeated the Seminoles this season has successfully done.

The FSU offense is led by Tommy Castellanos, who ranks first in the nation with an average of 15.46 yards per completion. He is also third nationally in completions of 30+ yards, seventh in 40+ yards, third in 50+ yards, fourth in 60+ yards completions, and 15th with an average of 8.97 yards per completion. His primary target, Biletnikoff Award semifinalist Duce Robinson, ranks sixth in the nation with 1,021 receiving yards, sixth in receiving yards per game with an average of 92.8, and has also scored six receiving touchdowns.

Let’s now compare how the two teams rank in the NCAA and their respective conferences by examining their overall team rankings and statistics for both their offensive and defensive units.

Here are the individual team leaders for FSU and UF, along with their respective statistics.

Finally, the series history information for the FSU/UF rivalry.

According to FanDuel, Florida State is a 1.5-point underdog, with the over/under set at 49.5 points.

For all the latest updates and more game news and information, check out all the Tomahawk Nation Pre-Game Coverage linked below.

Links for TN’s FSU Football Live Game Threads

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