Florida State #9 9-2 vs Florida #11 8-3

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Another Day, Another Dollar
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Coaches: Bobby Bowden is 268-67-4 in 28 seasons at FSU, 341-98-4 in 38 seasons overall; Ron Zook is 16-8 in his second season at UF.

Series: Florida leads 27-18-2.

When FSU has the ball: The Seminoles want to have success on the ground and not rely on QB Chris Rix. TB Greg Jones could do well running up the gut. With leading receiver Craphonso Thorpe injured, FSU needs someone to become the go-to guy. The Gators' run defense is a big concern, with the interior of the defensive line a weak spot. True freshman LB Channing Crowder has been a tackle machine. E Bobby McCray leads the Southeastern Conference with 8.5 sacks. The secondary has played well, especially CB Keiwan Ratliff and FS Daryl Dixon.

When UF has the ball: Freshman QB Chris Leak has been steady and relatively mistake-free. He has a nice touch and has been especially effective on screen passes. TE Ben Troupe is a big-time weapon. FSU has been solid against the run, and if the 'Noles can shut that down today, their chances for victory increase. FSU needs DT Darnell Dockett and LBs Michael Boulware and Kendyll Pope to make some big plays. The secondary will be tested by UF's deep group of receivers.

Extra points: The Gators have won five in a row. ... FSU is the sixth opponent for Florida this season that was ranked in the top 12 at game time. UF is 3-2 in those games. ... Since 1990, the team that has rushed for the most yards is 13-1-1 in this game.

www.sun-sentinel.com
 

Another Day, Another Dollar
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GAINESVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- Florida coach Ron Zook has silenced his critics and Bobby Bowden has his Florida State program back on track.

It may feel like old times at "The Swamp" on Saturday when the ninth-ranked Seminoles and 11th-ranked Gators renew their rivalry in the traditional regular-season finale.

Last season, Florida State, ranked just 22nd at the time, capped a turbulent year that included the dismissal of quarterback Adrian McPherson by upsetting then-No. 11 Florida, 31-14. It marked the first time since 1986 that the teams met with neither ranked in the top 10.

Florida State (9-2) suffered a 26-10 loss to Clemson on November 8 but bounced back to outlast North Carolina State, 50-44, in double overtime on November 15, giving the Seminoles their 11th Atlantic Coast Conference title in 12 years.

Florida (8-3) has reeled off five straight wins since dropping to 3-3 following a 20-13 loss to Mississippi and assured itself a share of the Southeastern Conference East Division with a 24-22 victory over South Carolina two weeks ago.

The Gators will be facing their record-tying sixth ranked opponent of the season, having already played Miami, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas and Tennessee.

If Tennessee loses to Kentucky, Florida could have an outside shot to win the SEC East, depending on the BCS rankings of the Gators and Georgia.

Florida State will be making its fifth BCS appearance in the six years of the BCS system, the most in the country.

The Seminoles will be without Craphonso Thorpe, a Biletnikoff Trophy candidate who suffered a season-ending broken leg in the second overtime against the Wolfpack. Thorpe finished with 11 touchdowns and 994 receiving yards, both team highs.

Chris Rix has been turnover prone for the Seminoles, committing seven in the last three games. He was booed and nearly benched against N.C. State but still threw three touchdown passes.

Freshman Chris Leak continues to be steady for Florida, throwing just two interceptions during the Gators' winning streak.

Florida State has won three of the last four meetings, but Florida leads the all-time series, 27-18-2. In last year's win, Leon Washington rushed for a career-high 134 yards on 26 carries for the Seminoles.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com
 

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