:deep breath:
This...this is the game every Florida State fan in existence, especially those that attended the university such as myself, virtually circles on our virtual calendars the moment it's scheduled.
The rivalry with Miami is very real, but there's a degree of respect and/or politeness when it comes to the Hurricanes. The Gators? It's a whole different tier. It's a
prison fight. There's absolutely zero politeness or holds barred. Many of these kids on both sides went to high school together or were rivals at the high school level. They know each other, they grew up together and more than anything they want to beat the absolute shit out of each other.
The Gators are better on paper and they have both the home field and the interim coach effect on their side. We have more momentum (and by that I mean it's borderline impossible to have less momentum than the Gators right now) but even Gators fans will agree with me when I say that when these two teams play you can often throw ratings, rankings and everything else out the window because it can devolve into a grudge match (except during the Tebow years where we expected to, and got, completely curb-stomped.)
I really want to believe but I'm not sure I can. No matter who wins, it's also kind of sad that both teams are this mediocre, too.
@PanthersPens62 and I have discussed this in regards to the FSU-UM rivalry but the same holds true for UF; none of these schools are competing for a playoff spot anytime soon. We can't keep the great athletes from going out-of-state anymore like we used to and I don't know how to, or if any of us can, get back to that level.
I'll say 24-14 bad guys as a prediction.