Know your opponent: Florida

[Gatorious]

by Paul Thomas
Despite an anemic offense, Florida is 10-1 this season courtesy of a dominating defense. We take a closer look at the Gators in this week's Know Your Opponent.

Know your opponent: Florida

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2012 Record: 10-1 (7-1 SEC)

Starters returning: 18 total, seven offensive, nine defensive and two specialists

For the first time since 2000, both Florida and Florida State enter its season finale showdown ranked in the top 10. The No. 4 Gators haven’t looked dominate all season long, but have found ways to win en route to a 10-1 record, with its lone loss coming to Georgia.

Florida has struggled to find much offensive success under new offensive coordinator Brent Pease. UF averages just 332.9 yards of total offense per game, and 25.8 points per game (FSU averages 42.9). While the offense has struggled, the Gators’ defense has been dominant. Florida ranks fourth in the country in total defense, allowing just 281 total yards of offense per game, and just 11.73 points per game (third in the nation).

“They believe and they compete,” FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher said of Florida. “They compete in the game and that’s what good teams do. When the running game isn’t going, find a way to pass it. When the passing game isn’t doing it, find a way to do it on defense, find a way to do it on special teams. You’re very well-rounded and very-well coached and you find different diversions to find explosive plays, or enough plays to win the game.”

Florida leads the all-time series 33-21 (with two ties), but FSU has won the last two meetings. The Gators are 11-12-1 all-time in Tallahassee.
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http://floridastate.rivals.com/barrier_ ... &mid=&rid=

[Gator Fever]

Go Gators....

[Swamp82]

Uhh Florida is not our opponent. Would rather see the opponents numbers you know refsu.

[mtn2top]

I know FSU a little this season. Seen them beat Clemson and lose to NCSU.

Anyone who witnessed the Swindle In the Swamp knows who the real opponent is in this game. It's the officials. We've seen how blatantly biased the ACC refs can be this time of year. They'll do whatever it takes to get a one-loss FSU into the ACC Championship game in the hope they'll split some big bowl money with the rest of their sister institutions.

If you're a Gator you better pray it isn't close. That hasn't even mattered in the past. We can outplay the Noles. It's the ACC officials we have little chance against if they want to determine the outcome of the game. History can repeat itself.

[Swamp Queen]

Uhh Florida is not our opponent.

Exactly.

[Wait ’til next year]

I know FSU a little this season. Seen them beat Clemson and lose to NCSU.

Anyone who witnessed the Swindle In the Swamp knows who the real opponent is in this game. It's the officials. We've seen how blatantly biased the ACC refs can be this time of year. They'll do whatever it takes to get a one-loss FSU into the ACC Championship game in the hope they'll split some big bowl money with the rest of their sister institutions.

If you're a Gator you better pray it isn't close. That hasn't even mattered in the past. We can outplay the Noles. It's the ACC officials we have little chance against if they want to determine the outcome of the game. History can repeat itself.

I recall after the Swindle in the Swamp Jeremy Fooley had the contract modified so the home team uses refs from their respective conferences, Is my recollection correct or not?

[mtn2top]

I know FSU a little this season. Seen them beat Clemson and lose to NCSU.

Anyone who witnessed the Swindle In the Swamp knows who the real opponent is in this game. It's the officials. We've seen how blatantly biased the ACC refs can be this time of year. They'll do whatever it takes to get a one-loss FSU into the ACC Championship game in the hope they'll split some big bowl money with the rest of their sister institutions.

If you're a Gator you better pray it isn't close. That hasn't even mattered in the past. We can outplay the Noles. It's the ACC officials we have little chance against if they want to determine the outcome of the game. History can repeat itself.

I recall after the Swindle in the Swamp Jeremy Fooley had the contract modified so the home team uses refs from their respective conferences, Is my recollection correct or not?

That's correct. Having the ACC refs steal the game in your own stadium was absolutely unbelievable. Not something any Gator wants to see happen again.

Not much we can do about it in Tallahasse. I lost ALL respect for ACC officials that day in the Swamp. It's simply a reality that we may have to deal with this weekend.