FSU football (8-3) will host the Florida Gators (6-5) to end the 2022 regular season Friday night in prime time.
The Noles rolled Louisiana-Lafayette for their fourth consecutive win and eighth overall Saturday afternoon. Florida got upset by Vanderbilt on the road.
The trash talk between the fan bases already started before Saturday’s games, with both teams anticipating wins as heavy favorites.
However, Florida’s loss against Vanderbilt upped the stakes. The Noles should go into the game as betting favorites, but we understand rivalry games can take a life of their own.
Yet, that hasn’t stopped Nole fans from talking smack in the aftermath of Florida’s unexpected loss:
Fan Reaction
How big of a rivalry is Florida State vs Florida? Well, Billy Napier is currently throwing the game against Vanderbilt just to affect FSU’s strength of schedule. Really viscous stuff from the first year coach ahead of his first rivalry match of his tenure
— Atlanta Nole 🍢 (@nole_atl) November 19, 2022
Real talk. Did the ref legit cheat at the end of the UF game?
— #LGM (@AVNOLES) November 19, 2022
There is no reason to get another L just cause u took a major one today https://t.co/q4TBebytoV
— 3-0 (@Nole352) November 19, 2022
4-6 Vandy got UF in hell 😂
— TaReef KnockOut (@TaReefKnockOut) November 19, 2022
UF will either play much better next week or quit. Either way, line that shit up.
— AT (@primediscussion) November 19, 2022
We really need to wipe the floor with those ugly lizards Friday. How you gonna let the Commodores beat you? Pathetic.
— mattytally (@mattytally) November 19, 2022
31-24 👀
— King Mentality (@Iam850_) November 19, 2022
Them boys from Jortsville took a L against Vandy 😂 #UFvsVandy pic.twitter.com/wMG5OiD3J6
Just doing a wellness check👀 @UnkleSilk
— Trey Benson Club President- Candle Lady (@wonderwoman_850) November 19, 2022
pic.twitter.com/VD0TKhsb5n
Phew… that’s a tough one for Napier.
— Mike Settle Jr (@settlemlCFB) November 19, 2022
Ventrell Miller, gators second leading tackler, just got tossed for targeting in the 4th quarter. Real shame.
— AT (@primediscussion) November 19, 2022
Thoughts
FSU football is playing like a top 10 program right now. They have been the more complete team all season.
Florida’s offense is one dimensional behind quarterback Anthony Richardson’s inconsistency, and their defense has struggled for most of the year. Not to mention the game will be at Doak Campbell Stadium, which should be rocking as the Noles can smell blood in the water.
FSU hasn’t beaten Florida since the 2017 season, and Friday night’s game will be a prime opportunity to stop that streak and claim the state championship of Florida for the first time since 2016. The latter was one of my bold predictions in the preseason.
Sidenote, all UCF fans, please exit the conversation with their loss against Navy Saturday. FSU has gotten off to fast starts in the last three weeks, and that would be optimal against a reeling Florida team.
I can see FSU getting up early and Florida laying down the same way Miami did a few weeks ago. What a story it would be with the narratives going around in the preseason. FSU stands to position themselves well if a few key players return in 2023.