TALLAHASSEE, FLA- Following a dominant 38-6 win versus South Carolina, the Florida Gators (6-5, 3-5 SEC) traveled to FirstBank Stadium to face the Vanderbilt Commodores in a week twelve SEC-East Conference game. In spite of a fantastic performance by Sophomore Quarterback Anthony Richardson, Florida was surprisingly upset by Vanderbilt 24-31, ending their two-game win streak against SEC-Conference opponents. With this said, Florida has just one regular season game remaining in their 2022 football schedule, as they are set to play Star Junior Quarterback Jordan Travis and the Florida State Seminoles (8-3, 5-3 ACC) in the 66th edition of the Sunshine Showdown Rivalry Game.
Review of Florida’s Week Twelve Loss Against Vanderbilt
In spite of notching consecutive SEC Conference Wins versus Texas A&M and South Carolina, Florida was unable to win their third straight, suffering a 24-31 upset loss to Vanderbilt. Admittedly, Richardson played well against Vanderbilt’s solid defense, completing 25-42 pass attempts for 400 passing yards and three passing touchdowns while adding four rushing attempts for 25 rushing yards. In addition to completing passes to nine different receivers, Richardson may have found a new top target in Freshman Receiver Daejon Reynolds. Entering Saturday’s game, Reynolds had just three receptions for 79 receiving yards, but exploded versus Vanderbilt with eight receptions for 165 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, all team highs. Likewise, Junior Receiver Justin Shorter finished the game with eight receptions for 106 receiving yards, while Sophomore Running Back Montrell Johnson caught his first receiving touchdown of the season on a three-yard pass from Richardson. It’s worth noting that Richardson did throw an interception to Senior Cornerback Jaylen Mahoney, ending Richardson’s streak of five games without committing a turnover. Following their 374-yard rushing performance versus South Carolina in week eleven, Florida’s rushing attack struggled mightily against Vanderbilt, notching 21 rushing attempts for just 45 rushing yards and 2.1 YPC, both season-lows.
After preparing to face either Freshman Quarterback AJ Swann or Junior Quarterback Mike Wright, Vanderbilt opted to give Wright the start, who completed 10-16 pass attempts for 108 passing yards and a season-high three passing touchdowns. Of the seven receivers that caught passes from Wright, Freshman Jayden McGowan (3/23/1), Senior Ben Bresnahan (1/28/1), and Senior Gavin Schoenwald (1/7/1) served as Wright’s top targets. As usual, Senior Running Back Ray Davis served as Vanderbilt’s workhorse back, notching 30 carries for 122 rushing yards and 4.1 YPC, while Sophomore Patrick Smith added 40 rushing yards on eight carries. Despite recording just 283 total yards of offense, Vanderbilt played mistake-free football, converting on 7-of-14 third-down conversions while controlling Time of Possession for 33:26. With wins against Kentucky and Florida in back-to-back weeks, Vanderbilt has now won two consecutive SEC Conference games for the first time since 2018, when the Commodores defeated Ole Miss and Tennessee. At 5-6, the Commodores are one win away from being bowl eligible for the first time since 2016.
Review of No. 19 Florida State’s Week Twelve Win Against Lousiana
After enduring a brutal three-game losing streak to three AP-ranked ACC Conference Opponents, Florida State has rebounded nicely, winning three four straight games, including a 49-17 thrashing of Lousiana in week twelve. Behind the dual-threat play of Travis and Sophomore Running Back Trey Benson, the Seminoles had a dominant offensive showing, compiling 440 total yards of offense. Against Lousiana, Travis had a modest, albeit solid performance, completing 9-14 pass attempts for 112 passing yards, and one touchdown while adding 38 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on five carries. In addition, Benson (16/80/1) and Sophomore Running Backs Treshaun Ward (4/37/2) and Lawrance Toafili (4/46/0) contributed to Florida State’s rushing attack, which finished the 32-point win with 45 carries for 251 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, and 5.6 YPC. Although no Florida State receiver recorded more than two receptions or 45 receiving yards, Travis spread the ball out well, connecting with ten different Seminole receivers.
Similar to their offense, Florida State’s defense continued their superb play, limiting Lousiana to 291 total yards of offense while notching six tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble, courtesy of Freshman Cornerback Shyheim Brown. Before the Rajun’ Cajuns notched two fourth-quarter touchdowns against Florida State, the Seminoles extended their streak of 32 straight drives without allowing a touchdown, dating back to their 41-16 week nine victory versus Georgia Tech. Even with Louisiana’s fourth-quarter touchdowns, Florida State secured their fourth straight win by 25 or more points, which is the longest active streak in the nation. Throughout the game, Florida State managed to limit various mistakes, committing just four penalties for 40 yards and zero turnovers. For reference, Lousiana committed eight penalties for 60 yards and one turnover. Likewise, the Seminoles converted on 11-of-15 third-down conversions, notching 23 total first downs, while the Ragin’ Cajuns went just 4-of-14 on third-down conversions and had 18 total first downs.
Game and Betting Information for Florida vs No. 19 Florida State
Game Information
- Location: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
Date: Saturday, November 25th, 2022 - Kick-Off Time: 7:30 P.M. ET
- TV: ABC
- Game Spread: -9.5 Florida State
- Point Total Over/Under: 58
- Moneyline: +285 Florida, -365 Florida State
- Football Power Index (FPI): Favors Florida State at 76.9%
Betting Information
- Florida is 5-4-0 against the spread (ATS) so far this season.
- Florida has yet to lose ATS (2-0) as a 3.5-point underdog or greater this season.
- The Point Total has gone over in six of Florida’s nine games this season.
- Florida is 3-2 in the five games this season it has been money-line favorites.
- South Carolina is 5-3-1 against the spread in nine games this season.
- The Point Total has hit the over twice in South Carolina’s last three games.
- When South Carolina is an underdog of 8 points or more, the Gamecocks have yet to cover the spread.
- Following a win, South Carolina is 3-2 in their following game, while Florida is just 1-3.
Ten Facts to know for Florida vs No. 19 Florida State
- In the 65 games Florida has played Florida State, the Gators are 37-26-2.
- Dating back to the 2018 season, Florida has won three straight meetings against Florida State.
- Florida won nine straight meetings against Florida State, ranging from 1968-1976.
- The Gators currently hold the largest margin of victory in the rivalry, defeating the Seminoles 49-0 in the 1972-1973 season.
- The last time Florida State beat Florida was in the -2016-2017 season with a 38-22 win in Gainesville.
- For reference, Florida squeaked by Florida State 24-21 last season with interim head coach Greg Knox.
- Entering the 2022 season, Florida and Florida State’s projected win totals were set at 7.5 and 6.5, respectively. If Florida defeats Florida State, then the Gators and Seminoles will go over their projected win totals.
- At 6-5 and 9-3, Florida and Florida State are both eligible to play in a Bowl Game, but the Seminoles will likely need to beat the Gators in hopes of playing in a New Years’ Six Bowl Game.
- Through eleven games, Florida has seen its offenses produce good results, averaging 31.2 PPG, 439.5 TYPG, 230.2 PYPG, and 209.3 RYPG.
- Meanwhile, Florida State is averaging 35.4 PPG, 473.7 TYPG, 256.7 PYPG, and 217.0 RYPG.