NoleGameday Staff Score Predictions: Florida State Seminoles At Florida Gators

Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Seminoles prepare for their annual rivalry game against the Gators.

There have been ups and downs, highs and lows, and disappointment, and excitement throughout the duration of Florida State's 2023 regular season. On Saturday, it will all come to a close as the Seminoles enter their annual matchup against the Florida Gators chasing a perfect record.

Florida State Quarterback Jordan Travis Returns To Observe Team's Practice After Injury

The way this game was viewed a week ago can basically be flipped on its head after both teams lost their starting quarterbacks to season-ending injuries. FSU star Jordan Travis went down with a leg injury against North Alabama while Florida's Graham Mertz suffered a collarbone injury in a close loss to Missouri.

That means Tate Rodemaker will be making his second career start in four years for the Seminoles. On the flip side, the Gators will be turning to redshirt freshman Max Brown in his first chance to guide the team on the field. That could lead to some interesting results in Gainesville.

Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Seminoles prepare to take on the Gators.

Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG)

This week is going to tell us all about who the Seminoles are. Coming off an emotional game where the team lost its leader, a lot of talking heads around the country are already counting Florida State out. I think that's going to put a chip on the team's shoulder entering a rivalry game in a hostile environment in The Swamp.

It won't be easy with the Seminoles relying on Tate Rodemaker to lead the team on the road. Florida will be celebrating Senior Day and honoring Tim Tebow ahead of the contest. Plus, the Gators will literally be fighting for their lives as the team needs a victory to advance to the postseason. You can bet that Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will be rocking.

The most important thing for Rodemaker is to play within his limits and trust the guys around him. Florida State is still loaded on both sides of the ball despite the loss of Jordan Travis. In a game like this, I'm looking for players such as Trey Benson, Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, Jaheim Bell, and the offensive line to step up around Rodemaker and make things easier for him.

It feels like this game is going to end up being closer than expected. I think it'll be a battle and one where both fanbases are sweating it out until the very end. I'll go with the Seminoles edging out the Gators in a classic.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 11-0

Seminoles 24, Gators 21

Logan Robinson (@LogansTwitty)

This one is going to be an emotional one on Saturday night. Two backup quarterbacks going at it and a fiery fanbase in Gainesville looking to end Florida State’s run and potential CFB Playoff bid. For Tate Rodemaker, his biggest challenge will be feeling out the pocket early. I’d imagine Mike Norvell, Tony Tokarz, and Alex Atkins are shaping up a scheme on this offense to make things a tad easier. Not that it needs to be a whole 180 from what the offense already is, but things can actually be added to utilize Rodemaker’s athleticism that is overlooked. 

This game will come down to if this team really wants to fight for a National Championship. Can they get over the Jordan Travis injury? Can they understand they still have the talent to make a run? Does Trey Benson take it to another gear? Can Jared Verse be a home wrecker? Do Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman want to make those plays to help support Rodemaker’s gameplay? I think they will and am sticking with my 12-0 undefeated regular season prediction. See you in the Swamp.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 11-0

Seminoles 31, Gators 16

Austin Veazey (@EasyVeazeyNG)

I think this is going to be ugly early as both teams and play-callers figure out what is working well. Like a 6-3 or a 10-6 halftime kind of score. As bad as Florida's defense is, you'd hope Florida State would be able to find ways to push them around in the run game, and we know Florida's offense features a good running game. They're going to do whatever it takes to make life easier on the backups. In the end, FSU is just the better team and should be able to get this done, even if it's likely closer than my heart will be able to take. 

2023 Season Prediction Record: 11-0

Seminoles 34, Gators 27

Dillon Riera (@13d_riera)

It wouldn't be a proper Florida State football season if things didn't get interesting down the stretch. The Seminoles took care of business in their home finale last week, but the focus was on the unfortunate loss of star quarterback Jordan Travis. In the wake of Saturday's events, Florida State fell to the #5 spot in both the AP Poll and CFP rankings. The committee maintains that Travis' injury had nothing to do with the decision, but there is something to be said about the air of uncertainty surrounding this team. Regardless, Mike Norvell and his Seminoles sit on the outside looking in. If FSU wishes to make its triumphant return to the College Football Playoff, they'll have to impress in the two games that remain on their docket. Florida State's playoff hopes, conference championship dreams, and undefeated season are now in the hands of a backup quarterback and — at least for this week — at the mercy of their bitter rivals down south.

The Florida State Seminoles (11-0, 8-0 ACC) travel to Gainesville on Saturday to close out their regular season schedule against the Florida Gators (5-6, 3-5 SEC). One of college football's most bitter rivalries will serve as the stage for newly appointed starting quarterback Tate Rodemaker to prove his mettle and keep this FSU team's postseason hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Florida Gators are coming off the heels of four consecutive losses. They, too, will be wheeling out a backup quarterback in true freshman Max Brown, who is tasked with leading the Gators to a win and securing bowl eligibility. Come Saturday, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will play host to two teams on drastically different tracks, but the animosity between them is just as high. Each team has something to prove, and sometimes that's all it takes for these two fierce rivals to be at each other's throats.

ESPN's FPI currently has the matchup predictor set at 81.5% in favor of the Seminoles with ESPNBet's odds setting the line at (-6.5) The percentages, despite Travis' absence from the lineup, are still heavily in favor of an FSU victory, but that's easier said than done. Florida State will take its 17-game win streak into Gainesville in the hopes of defeating a Florida Gator team that is an astounding 4-1 at home this season. This game will come down to the ability of FSU's defense to disrupt the UF freshman quarterback and the ability of FSU's offense, specifically its playmakers, to assist Tate Rodemaker as he takes over the reins. There remains a lot to be seen before we can form a clearer opinion on a Seminole team without Travis, but that shouldn't hinder the rest of FSU's talented roster from providing enough production to leave with a win. It may not be the prettiest of evenings for this 2023 FSU football team, but I do believe they'll leave Gainesville with a victory and finish the regular season unblemished.  

2023 Season Prediction Record: 11-0

Seminoles 31, Gators 21

Tommy Mire (@TommyM3III)

The Seminoles are up for a true test in Gainesville. New starting quarterback Tate Rodemaker has plenty of guys around him that can take over games and everyone will need to step up. Rodemaker must find Coleman and Wilson to keep the Gator defense honest and prevent them from shutting down the run. I think FSU pulls one out in The Swamp but it doesn’t look like it’ll be easy. 

2023 Season Prediction Record: 11-0

Seminoles 31, Gators 28

Kade Kimble (@kadekimble)

Despite not having Jordan Travis, Tate Rodemaker will be able to get his weapons the ball and find an offensive rhythm that the Gators struggle to slow down. Trey Benson will capitalize on that and the Seminoles will come up with a huge win to close the regular season.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 11-0

Seminoles 35, Gators 27

Robert Malcom (@kwrobertm)

While last year's game was the highest-scoring game in the history of the rivalry, I have a feeling that won't be the case this year for multiple reasons. In addition to both defenses capable of stopping powerful offenses, The Swamp is a notoriously tough environment to play in, especially at night. While the Gators have had a relatively easy home schedule this season, they have allowed just 83 points at home and sit 4-1 through the season in Gainesville.

With that being said I think FSU is a more complete team than UF. Even with Jordan Travis unable to play, I believe Tate Rodemaker has the ability to lead the offense in tough situations as he has been with the squad since 2020 and understands the way the team operates. Additionally, Rodemaker has proven he can come in and win games twice throughout his career, and he has seen the field in the majority of games FSU has played this season.

Regardless of the talent the 'Noles have, winning this game will require composure from the players and coaching staff, and the game will be a mental battle more than anything.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 11-0

Seminoles 31, Gators 21

CONSENSUS: Florida State (7-0)

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