Honestly, the Florida v Florida State football rivalry isn't just a game. It is a three-hour exercise in mutual loathing that divides families, ruins Thanksgiving leftovers, and keeps local police departments on high alert. If you didn’t grow up in the Sunshine State, you might think it’s just another regional matchup. It's not.
Most people think the "hatred" is a marketing gimmick. They're wrong. This is a blood feud that started because the University of Florida basically tried to block Florida State from even existing as a co-ed football school back in the 1940s and 50s. The Gators looked down their noses at the "girls' school" in Tallahassee. They didn't even want to play them.
Then 1958 happened. The first official meeting. Since then, it’s been a chaotic mess of legendary coaches, controversial officiating, and seasons that were ruined by a single missed tackle.
The 2025 Reality Check and a New Era
We just watched the 69th meeting between these two on November 29, 2025. It was... weird. Florida walked away with a 40-21 win at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, but the vibes were all over the place.
Florida was finishing a rough 4-8 season. Florida State wasn't much better at 5-7. Both missed out on bowl games. That's the part that hurts the fans most—seeing the "Sunshine Showdown" happen while neither team is ranked in the Top 25. It feels wrong.
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But for Florida fans, that game was a glimpse of the future. Jadan Baugh went absolutely nuclear. He ran for 266 yards. He was a human wrecking ball, becoming the first Gator to cross the 1,000-yard season mark since 2015. And let’s talk about DJ Lagway. He threw three touchdowns and looked like the superstar everyone promised he’d be.
The Coaching Carousel
The biggest storyline right now isn't the score. It’s the sidelines.
- Florida: Billy Napier is gone. The Gators officially moved on and brought in Jon Sumrall from Tulane. That 2025 win was technically a "bridge" moment, showing what the roster can do under new energy.
- Florida State: Mike Norvell is still there. But it’s getting tense. After two losing seasons in a row, the Tallahassee faithful are restless. There’s talk about his massive $58.7 million buyout being the only thing keeping him in the seat. Even Steve Spurrier—the king of Gator trash talk—recently poked fun at FSU's "financial issues" preventing them from making a change.
Why the History Still Stings
If you want to understand why a 4-8 Florida team cares so much about beating a 5-7 FSU team, you have to look at the scars.
The Choke at Doak (1994)
Imagine being up 31-3 in the fourth quarter. You're the Florida Gators. You're cruising. Then, Danny Kanell and the Seminoles decide they aren't dead yet. They score 28 unanswered points. The game ended in a 31-31 tie. No overtime back then. Just pure, unadulterated misery for the Gators and a "moral victory" for FSU that still gets talked about today.
The Swindle in the Swamp (2003)
Gators fans still get red-faced talking about the ACC officiating crew in this one. FSU won 38-34, but there were at least four or five "fumbles" that Florida seemingly recovered but were ruled down. It was so bad it actually helped fast-track the use of instant replay in college football. Chris Rix hit P.K. Sam for a touchdown with 55 seconds left, and a literal brawl broke out at midfield after the whistle.
The Sugar Bowl Rematch (1997)
Usually, you only get one shot. In the 1996 season, FSU beat Florida in the regular season finale. But the stars aligned for a rematch in the Sugar Bowl for the National Championship. Steve Spurrier put Danny Wuerffel in the shotgun to stop the FSU pass rush, and the Gators cruised to a 52-20 win. First natty for the Gators. Total heartbreak for the Noles.
The All-Time Numbers
Florida leads the series 39-28-2.
It’s been a game of streaks. Florida dominated early. Then Bobby Bowden showed up and made FSU a national powerhouse, evening the scales for decades. Lately, it's been a back-and-forth affair where the home team usually has the edge, though FSU had a nice run from 2013 to 2017.
What to Watch for in 2026
The next meeting is scheduled for November 28, 2026, in Tallahassee. Here’s what’s actually on the line:
- The Sumrall Factor: Can Jon Sumrall restore the Gators to a discipline-heavy, SEC-contending defense? His first year of recruiting will be under the microscope.
- The FSU Rebuild: Norvell has to fix the offensive line. Thomas Castellanos showed flashes of brilliance in 2025, but he was sacked seven times in the Gator game. You can’t win with your QB on his back.
- The Transfer Portal: Keep an eye on the rosters. With the way NIL works now, today’s Gator hero could be tomorrow’s Seminole starter. It sounds crazy, but rumors were already swirling about DJ Lagway and potential moves before the 2025 season ended.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning to attend or bet on the Florida v Florida State football game in the coming seasons, keep these specific factors in mind:
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- Watch the Trench Depth: Historically, the winner of this game is the team that records more than 4 sacks. In 2025, Florida had 7. It’s almost always won at the line of scrimmage.
- Home Field is Real: Doak Campbell and The Swamp are two of the loudest environments in sports. The road team’s "false start" count is a legitimate stat to track in the first quarter.
- The "State Championship" Motivation: Don't forget the Florida Cup. While Miami is often in the mix, beating the in-state rival is the primary recruiting tool. A coach who loses this game two years in a row usually starts looking for a new job.
Keep your eyes on the 2026 recruiting rankings this spring. The talent gap between Gainesville and Tallahassee is narrowing, which usually means the next few games will be decided by a field goal rather than a blowout.
Next Steps:
- Audit the 2026 Recruiting Class: Check the 247Sports composite rankings for "In-State" players. Both schools are fighting over the same five-star recruits in Miami and Tampa.
- Monitor the FSU Coaching Staff: If Mike Norvell doesn't announce significant defensive coordinator changes by February, the 2026 season could be another uphill battle for the Seminoles.
- Follow Jadan Baugh: Track his spring camp reports. If he stays healthy, he's the focal point of the Florida offense for the next two years.