SEC Rivalry Week: Games of the Week

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Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain looks on during the second quarter against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

13 Florida State VS 12 Florida

Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL

Game Time: Saturday, November 28 7:30PM ET

TV: ESPN

Have the Gators been sandbagging on us lately? The last three games for Florida have not looked very becoming of a team that will be playing for an SEC championship in a little over a week. If I’m a Gators fan I’m worried. Florida State has more talent than South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and Florida Atlantic combined. Though Florida is a lock for Atlanta, the battle for the Sunshine State will dictate bowl rankings and potentially the national landscape. Suppose Florida were to lose Saturday, could the Gators be passed by one of the Mississippi teams for the Sugar Bowl?

Nov 21, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher coaches his team against the Chattanooga Mocs at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

Considering how close Ole Miss is in the Playoff rankings, I’d say that’s a possibility. Mississippi State remains a longshot for the time being, a losing to Florida State coupled with a loss to Alabama next weekend could do the trick.

Florida must somehow find the passion and intensity it once played with earlier in the year. The Gators have skated by lesser competition, but this is where the real money is made.

Florida possess enough talent to go head to head with the Seminoles and have the home field advantage. Still, the loss of Will Grier appears to be hampering the Florida offense in major ways. It’s going to take a great defensive performance for the Gators to find victory Saturday night.

Let’s say the Gators win and find a way against Alabama in the SEC championship. Could Florida find itself on the cusp of a Playoff spot? Possibly, but the poor performances of late are sure to leave a bad taste in the committee’s mouth.

Florida is playing Saturday night for bragging rights, a Sugar Bowl bid and a confidence booster leading up to the SEC Championship (most likely) against Alabama.

Side note: Alabama appears to be playing its best ball of the season. The time is now for Florida to stand tall if it wants to avoid a late season whimper.

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