FSU vs. UF: ChopChat Staff Picks

In preparation for this year’s FSU vs. UF grudge match, we here at ChopChat have assembled our predictions of how we think Saturday’s game plays out.

Patrick Nohe, Editor:

This is not a good matchup for FSU. UF likes to run (almost exclusively), hold the ball, shrink the number of possessions and let its defense do the heavy lifting. And despite the other shortcomings of this Gator team, the defense is top notch. If Florida State can buck the trend and start hot, it can get UF off schedule and the game should take care of itself. But if Florida can hang around and frustrate the Seminoles, the Gators might have a chance at the upset.

Pick: 31-13, FSU

David Visser, Editor:

The Gators are yet another running team with an adept defense– the same match-up that it feels like FSU has had all year, and the same type of team that the ‘Noles have struggled to beat. Emotions will be running high in this one, and some sloppy early play would be far from shocking. The Gators can’t win the SEC, and they’re probably going to a less-than glamorous bowl, so, just like every other team the Seminoles have faced, this is effectively UF’s season. Florida State pulls away late because, well, Treon Harris is not Jameis Winston.

Pick: 30-20, FSU

Daniel Ferreira, Staff Writer:

All the talk this week has been about how the Florida Gators are going to come into Doak and win it for Coach Muschamp, like they did for Zook in 2004. Guess what. That 2004 FSU team didn’t have Jameis Winston. While I do think UF has the talent to pull of the upset, I don’t think they can get it done with a true freshman QB who hasn’t been forced to throw yet. It’ll be close, again, and I’ll freak out during half-time. But the Noles will do what they have done all year: finish the game.

Pick: 27-20, FSU

Harlen Shackleford, Staff Writer:

The Florida Gators will show number five and company arguably the most physical defense they’ve seen this season. On the other hand, the Gators have yet to entertain a quarterback quite like Jameis Winston this year. The matchup that will determine the outcome of this game will be Florida’s rushing attack against the Seminoles defense that seemingly stiffens just when it has to.

The Seminoles cannot get caught sleeping, or the Gators will beat FSU with the play-action. What makes this thought even more dubious is that the ‘Noles will have to be prepared for any kind of trick play in the book, considering that this is Muschamp’s last game as the Gators’ head coach. The playbook will be wide-open for Florida. But the ‘Noles have responded successfully to every challenge they’ve faced this season with Winston under center. Expect FSU to come out firing in this one.

Pick: 38-20, FSU

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Griffin Wilcox, Staff Writer:

Everyone thinks this is going to be a down to the wire match-up, and rightfully so. Florida is going to start out hot, just like last year, and I don’t doubt this will be a 4th-quarter contest. The odds of Florida State finally putting together a complete game are about the same as them finally losing. The ‘Noles will get enough stops on defense to pull this one out. Jameis has averaged at least one interception every game this season, and I don’t see that changing, especially against Vernon Hargreaves and this tenacious Gator pass defense. Dalvin Cook and Karlos Williams will be crucial, as well as Rashad Greene’s ability to get open one on one vs. Hargreaves. I cautiously have Florida State in a close one.

Pick: 31-28, FSU

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