Florida @ Florida State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2011 ) Florida State 21, Florida 7

If everything breaks right and the rest of the top six teams in the country have a rough time this weekend, the winner of Saturday afternoon’s rivalry game between No. 6 Florida and No. 5 Florida State in Tallahassee could have a shot at the BCS championship game. But first they both have to win out, something that has proven to be a problem for the top contenders lately.

The Gators will not have a chance at the SEC championship game after losing to Georgia on Oct. 27 but can sit back and watch everyone else pick each other off. Florida State has already clinched its spot in the ACC championship game against Georgia Tech on Dec. 1, but is still trying to make voters forget about a lackluster performance in their lone setback at North Carolina State on Oct. 6. Florida State has taken the last two meetings with Florida.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Florida State -7

ABOUT FLORIDA (10-1): The Gators’ chances at the BCS championship game involve a series of losses by the three teams in front of them in the BCS standings, notably SEC-mates Georgia and Alabama. Florida has not looked very impressive over its last four games, starting with the loss to Georgia and continuing through fourth-quarter home wins over Missouri and Louisiana Lafayette. Things got a little easier in last week’s 23-0 triumph over Jacksonville State, and now the Gators get back starting QB Jeff Driskel from a sprained ankle. Backup Jacoby Brissett got into the game against Florida State last season and went 4-of-13 for 27 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (10-1): The Seminoles have been trying to prove that the loss to the Wolfpack was the outlier in an otherwise stellar season. Florida State ranks seventh in the nation in scoring (42.9 points) and fifth in points allowed (13.1), but is only 10th in the BCS standings and would need even more help than Florida to reach the championship game. Senior quarterback EJ Manuel has thrown for 11 touchdowns and four interceptions during the Seminoles’ five-game win streak and will be trying to make up for a terrible performance in last season’s meeting. Manuel went 6-of-13 for 65 yards but was bailed out by a defense that forced four turnovers in the 21-7 triumph. Manuel will have to find throwing lanes against a Gators defense that has picked off 16 passes.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Florida had won six straight in the series before dropping the last two.

2. Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher and Florida coach Will Muschamp worked together at LSU from 2001-04 and share a beach house near Panama City, Fla.

3. Seminoles RB Devonta Freeman is coming off his best game of the season, a 148-yard, two-touchdown performance at Maryland. Freeman scored twice against the Gators last season.

PREDICTION: Florida State 17, Florida 10