Florida vs. Florida State can usually be tagged as a marquee matchup at the beginning of any season, but that can’t be said this season because of where each program is in 2024.
Frankly, it’s somewhat shocking that Florida is in a better place than Florida State, but that’s the state of things at the moment. The Gators are 6-5, which isn’t all that special of a season, but they are coming off two massive wins in a row. They knocked off No. 22 LSU and then followed that up by beating No. 9 Ole Miss this past weekend, which essentially knocked the Rebels out of contention for the College Football Playoff.
Speaking of the CFP, Florida State had a real claim to be one of the four teams last season but an injury to quarterback Jordan Travis kept them out despite a 13-0 regular season. It was expected that Mike Norvell’s team would be a CFP contender in 2024, but this season has been a disaster for the Seminoles. They’re 2-9 heading into this matchup with Florida and there has been plenty to criticize about what’s going on in Tallahassee.
Still, when asked about what has gone on this season for one of his rivals, Florida head coach Billy Napier decided to keep it classy. He doesn’t think he has much room to criticize anybody.
“Yeah, I mean, I have my own grass to mow. My yard is big and it has got a lot of weeds in it, and, you know, I got my own issues,” Napier told the media when asked whether he was surprised by FSU’s struggles this season (h/t On3). “So, you know, I don’t necessarily think it would be right for me to comment on that, because, look, I understand all the things that come with the job. The job’s probably more challenging than it’s ever been. I have a ton of respect for Mike, I mean he’s a good football coach, you know, and I think we’re trying to get the Florida Gators better, you know, that’s my focus.”
Though the Gators are coming off two huge wins and they would be 7-5 by beating FSU, that’s not the standard of Florida football and the Gators do have some tough losses this season.
Napier came into the season somewhat on the hot seat and while he has certainly done some nice things to close out 2024, he has to add beating this horrid FSU to his resume. The Gators can’t afford to lose to Florida State in its current iteration, so Napier is wise to focus on cleaning his own sidewalk rather than looking over to see what Norvell has going on.
