Florida State Football vs. Florida Score Prediction: Seminoles upset?

The floodlights will be on at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday as Florida State football takes on Florida in the final game of the 2024 Seminoles season.

The Seminoles enter the game at 2-9 and are looking to end a disastrous season with a win over rival Florida (6-5). The Gators come into Saturday’s showdown having rattled off two straight wins against LSU and Ole Miss to secure bowl eligibility.

FSU head coach Mike Norvell said the program is putting everything into this game as the Seminoles hope to avoid going 0-2 in their in-state rivalry games this season.

History is on the Gators’ side as FSU is 27-36-2 all-time against the Gators. However, the Seminoles have won the last two meetings and seven of the last ten.

Both programs feature true freshman quarterbacks, with the Seminoles starting Luke Kromenhoek after a successful first start against Charleston Southern. The Gators are led by freshman sensation DJ Lagway, who has taken over the starting role since Graham Mertz’s injury.

What challenges do the Seminoles face against Lagway, Florida?

Lagway transformed the Gators’ offense. He appeared in 10 games, throwing for 1,477 yards and nine touchdowns on 79-135 attempts.

He dealt with a hamstring injury suffered against Georiga, and after missing a game against Texas, he returned in the surprising 27-16 win over LSU. He threw for 226 yards and a touchdown in that game.

Lagway’s greatest strength is his accuracy downfield and his strength on deep balls. He can sling the ball downfield with ease and the Seminoles secondary needs to be aware of the threat posed by receivers Elijah Badger and Chimere Dike.

Lagway’s play, coupled with the rushing attack of Montrell Johnson and Jadan Baugh, was the catalyst for an improved performance from the Florida offense after struggling early in the season.

The Seminoles have struggled to deal with opponents with a strong ground game this season, and the Gators are a run-first team. Baugh leads the team with 522 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, with Johnson rushing for 494 yards and five touchdowns. Both players scored in a 24-17 win over Ole Miss.

Florida is averaging 148.8 yards per game and with FSU giving up over 200 yards rushing in four of the last six games played, the Gators will look to take advantage of that range.

FSU will hope to prevent the Gators from making explosive plays and keep Florida on the path to short-yardage gains.

Offensively, Kromenhoek has to get into the game early. He showed a high level against Charleston Southern, but the difference in quality between the two programs is large.

Kromnehoek looked comfortable before the snap and made checks and reads from coverages, which can be implemented regardless of the opponent. If he can translate some of the confidence and success he had in his first start, it could be a big night for Kromenhoek as he begins his Seminole career.

The Seminoles have struggled offensively this season, and aside from the big day against Charleston Southern, the team has been unable to create explosive plays. Will a boost in youth with Kromenhoek and some younger players at the position level bring that to FSU?

That remains to be seen.

Score Prediction: Florida 31, FSU 17

The Seminoles’ disastrous season ends with a loss to their bitter rival Florida.

Kromenhoek will play well, throwing two touchdowns, but the Seminoles’ inability to slow the run will give the Gators a late flurry of points in the fourth quarter. Lagway will connect on some downfield shots, but for the most part, the FSU secondary will do a good job of making passes difficult.

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Florida State Football vs. Florida Score Prediction: Seminoles upset?

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