Florida vs. Florida State: Three Key Matchups to Monitor
Photo: Florida quarterback Max Brown; Credit: Alex Shepherd
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- There's nothing quite like a heated rivalry with plenty on the line for both teams, and that's the exact situation set to unfold in the Swamp on Saturday.
Sitting at 5-6, the Florida Gators not only have a chance to lock up bowl eligibility, but they can also play spoiler to No. 5 Florida State's playoff hopes. Having already sealed a spot in the ACC title game, the undefeated Seminoles can end a rival's season and continue to add to a playoff resume with a win on Saturday night.
Not to mention, Saturday's "Backup Bowl" will see both teams deploying their No. 2 signal-callers, one for their first-career start and the other for their second.
Below are three key matchups between Florida and Florida State that could determine the victor in Gainesville. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. with television coverage on ESPN.
Florida State QB Tate Rodemaker vs. Florida's Defense
There's no question that the heart and soul of the FSU team is Jordan Travis, and the Seminoles will be without its leader for the rest of the year following a gruesome leg injury.
In steps longtime backup Tate Rodemaker, a player UF head coach Billy Napier is extremely familiar with due to a friendship between Rodemaker's father, Alan, and his own, Bill.
"And when I was growing up, heck, coach Rodemaker was always around at different events and camps and things we would go to," Napier said Monday. "I think we even started the recruiting process a little bit with him at Louisiana."
Unlike Napier's quarterback on Saturday, Rodemaker possesses ample on-field experience. The junior has thrown for 376 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions in sporadic playing time this season, with 22 career appearances and one start under his belt in total.
"A little bit different type of player but certainly he's got his strengths," Napier said. "And they've got terrific skill around him. So there will be an element of experience. I think that's the big thing."
The skill around Rodemaker includes star receiver Keon Coleman, 6-foot-7 mismatch receiver Johnny Wilson and running back Trey Benson. Missed tackles and busts in coverage cost Florida the last two weeks against LSU and Missouri, and the task at hand won't be any easier on Saturday, even with a new quarterback tossing these players the ball.
Florida does get defensive back Devin Moore back from injury, and Princely Umanmielen continues to provide great pressure on quarterbacks, but UF's struggles to consistently finish plays have cost them down the stretch. Those issues must come to a halt in Week 13 in order for the Gators to emerge victorious.
"We have to reiterate on tackling and pursuit to the ball," Teradja Mitchell said. "That's going to be important, one of the keys to win in this game. We have to pursue to the ball. Have to be a bend-but-don't-break defense. Even when we get a big play we have to get the guy on the ground and live to see the next down."
Gators QB Max Brown vs. Seminoles' Defense
Not long after Travis suffered his hurt in Week 12, Florida saw its own quarterback go down with an injury.
Graham Mertz's nondisplaced collarbone fracture ended his 2023 regular season, and Max Brown will make the first start of his career as a result.
Although the Gators will certainly miss Mertz's veteran presence and consistent play, Brown adds a wrinkle to the offense that Mertz struggled to provide.
Brown's dual-threat ability kept Missouri on its toes last week and should threaten FSU's defense this week. Not only does he have the ability to break off big runs, his effective rushing skill set demands attention from the defense, naturally opening up opportunities for running backs Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson.
Brown rushed for 42 yards on seven carries against Missouri, and Johnson had his biggest success after Brown entered the game.
The big question, though, is how Florida's passing game will change going from Mertz to Brown. He did complete four of his five passing attempts for 56 yards against Missouri, but Florida relied heavily on the run after Mertz's injury.
"They're kind of going from Jordan Travis to Rodemaker. We're going from Graham Mertz to Max Brown. There's an element of change for both teams. And certainly that's part of the strategy relative to the game," Napier said.
However, Brown doesn't have to light it up through the air to beat the Seminoles. Mertz didn't do that in his 11 starts. Brown simply needs to do what Mertz did: make the easy throws that are asked of him.
"He brings that energy, man," Ricky Pearsall said. "I think all the guys rally behind him because of the energy he gives off. He's a natural leader. He obviously has that running for himself. And then I think he has really good arm talent. I do, I think he has really good arm talent."
UF WR Ricky Pearsall vs. FSU's Secondary
In what could be his final collegiate game, Pearsall has an opportunity to put himself into Florida lore. The senior only needs 52 yards to break 1,000 yards on the season making him the first Gator to do so since 2002.
"It's a goal I set for myself at the beginning of the season. It's right there, 52 yards away. But I'm more than a personal goal kind of guy," Pearsall said. "Obviously team goals override that for myself. I think the W is going to feel a lot better than any personal achievement to me personally, but I know within myself that I'm a thousand-yard guy. Whether I get it or not, I'm a thousand-yard guy."
Last season, Pearsall had his best performance of the year against the Seminoles with five catches for 148 yards and two scores. If Florida is to pull off the upset, they will need him to be just as efficient, and he'll be relying on a first-time starter to throw him the ball.
Pearsall explained on Wednesday that he's already building a rapport with Brown and that Brown gained confidence during his time at UF.
"I told him, I woke up this morning and texted him: 1 is always open," Pearsall said. "That's first thing I did."
FSU boasts the No. 15 passing defense in the country and have only allowed two receivers to eclipse 100 yards in a game this season. The veteran play of seniors Jarrian Jones (three interceptions) and Renardo Green (nine passes defended) along with redshirt-junior Fentrell Cypress II (seven passes defended) have been a big reason for that success.
Now, considering Brown's rushing ability, Florida may elect to move away from the pass, but that shouldn't stop Pearsall from getting touches. His 39-yard touchdown rush against Missouri showcased his dynamic ability outside of being targeted through the air.
The Gators may not throw the ball as much in Week 13 as they did previously with Mertz, but getting Pearsall touches in different ways will keep the Seminoles' defensive backfield on its toes.
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