Posted by NoleCC

By Bill Kristoph

I’ve sat down twice to write an article on the Florida vs. Florida State game tomorrow, and I can’t find an angle that I enjoy. So I’m going to offer 3 rays of hope for the Seminoles, and my prediction for the game.

1. It’s a rivalry game. Experts, and fans, always say that the records can be thrown out in a rivalry game. Maybe the fact that FSU’s offense hasn’t had an identity this year in 2006, will confuse the Gators enough to provide the Seminole upset?

2. Florida has struggled at times this year, and it’s not because the SEC is a super power. UF has not been an offensive machine like they have been in years past. Gators are quick to forget that the Seminole defense has played pretty well all year, even though they are young. If the Seminole defense rises to the challenge, the game will be a low scoring affair, which gives the advantage to the Seminoles, since they are willing to attempt a field goal. Then again, maybe that’s not a great idea for either team.

3. The game is at Doak Campbell Stadium. Hopefully, FSU fans are planning to show up tomorrow, and are willing to be loud and proud of the 2006 Seminoles. If they’re not, then the biggest advantage that the Seminoles have (home field / crowd noise) is nullified. The fans can’t actually catch a pass or kick a field goal, but college football, more than any other sport, is about momentum, and the fans can feed that feeling.

I still have faith in the Seminoles and I hope the rest of the Noles fans out there have some too. While this season has been a huge disappointment, it never hurts to have a win over the most hated team in Florida. Plus there is added motivation for the Noles, a loss to the Gators might mean a trip to Boise instead of San Fransisco, thanks to Miami’s victory over Boston College. I think the Seminoles put up a fight, but come up short.

Noles 16 Gators 28 – But I’ll be cheering my ass off the whole game.