History shows FSU Football wins at least one in-state rivalry game in 2019

FSU football experienced something that has happened few and far between over the past four decades, but history says that most likely be repeating itself.

For much of the last three and a half decades, there is almost no argument that the best college football has been played in the Sunshine State. From a 31 season period dating back from the 1983 campaign to the 2013 edition, the state’s big three programs – FSU football, Miami and Florida – combined to dominate the sport across the country.

Over that span, the schools combined to win 11 national titles and play for six more (seven if you include the Seminoles playing the Gators for the 1996 crown) – meaning more than half the time their was a Florida school involved, which made winning the state title that much more important.

The Noles have been the only school to play both rivals dating back to the 1988 season, and since that time FSU football has been able to get at least one victory over a rival most of the time – being swept just four times over a 30 season period from 1988 until 2017.

Sadly, the 2018 season was the fifth time since the end of the 1980s as the Seminoles lost a one point heartbreaker to the Hurricanes and were blown out at home against the Gators. However, if history tells us one thing, it’s that you shouldn’t bet on this happening again in the 2019 season.

Over the 42 seasons dating back to Bobby Bowden’s first campaign in 1976 to the end of the 2017 season, the Seminoles had been swept a total of nine times – and just once did it take place the following season.

"1976 : 0-2 (beat Florida, lost to Miami in 1977)1981: 0-2 (beat Miami, lost to Florida in 1982)1983: 0-2 (beat Miami, lost to Florida in 1984)1985: 0-2 (lost to both in 1986)1986: 0-2 (beat Florida, lost to Miami in 1987)1991: 0-2 (beat Florida, lost to Miami in 1992)2001: 0-2 (beat Florida, lost to Miami in 2002)2004: 0-2 (beat Miami, lost to Florida in 2005)2009: 0-2 (beat both rivals in 2010)"

In several cases, FSU football had a chance to bounce back with a sweep after being swept – losing by just one point to Miami in 1987 and 2002 and by three points in 1992 while having a chance to avoid a second straight sweep but losing to the Gators by just four points in their 1986 meeting.

Entering the 2019 season at this point with nearly six months to go, the betting line would likely have the Noles having an easier time with the Hurricanes at this point – a team they have lost by a combined five points over the last two seasons – as opposed to a Gators team some think have an outside shot at the College Football Playoff.

That being said, all is fair in the world of college football rivalries – and if you don’t think the Seminoles know full well that they need to beat at least one rival each year, trust me they do.