GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Matthew Thomas #6 and Jacob Pugh #16 of the Florida State Seminoles carry a gator head out of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after the game against the Florida Gators on November 25, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
FSU football: The importance of defeating Florida Gators in 2022
(Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
FSU football will have a golden opportunity to make a statement against the Florida Gators for the first time since the 2017 season Friday night in primetime.
FSU won five straight games against the Gators from 2013-17, but Florida took advantage of a bad culture and coaching transition that failed to accumulate talent and rectify the program’s direction.
Florida blew out the Noles in 2018 (41-14) and 2019 (40-17), with COVID canceling the 2020 game in Mike Norvell’s first year and likely another loss. It’s funny how the tables turn so quickly as Florida fired head coach Dan Mullen during the 2021 season.
FSU traveled to Gainesville to face a Florida team without a head coach for a shot to finish 6-6 and make a bowl game for the first time since 2019.
However, the Noles had some costly mistakes and had to play nearly half of the game without starting QB Jordan Travis, coming up short in a 24-21 loss.
Although Florida was the more talented team, the gap had been closed, and now it looks like FSU has surpassed Florida in Billy Napier’s first year.
The only thing left is to prove it on the field. Here’s why defeating Florida this year is of the upmost importance.
