Game Day: Florida vs Florida State (ESPN, noon) - Florida Gators

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The developments of the past weekend and uncertainty of what's next for the University of Florida football program will hover over the Gators' sidelines Saturday and remain the overriding narrative throughout what is expected to be a beautiful fall afternoon.

The team on the opposite sideline, however, will be smelling the orange-and-blue blood and looking to move in for the kill against against a wounded and wobbling rival. 

Yes, the Florida-Florida State series is back after a one-year COVID hiatus. No, the 2021 rendition will carry no national ramifications for either program, but that certainly won't matter to the players, coaches and fans once the ball is in play and the 64th game between the two hated cross-state foes commences. 

In the grand picture, the stakes are minimal. As far as the Sunshine State intrigue, it'll mean everything because beating the other means everything. There's also the fact that both the Gators (5-6) and Seminoles (5-6), with their identical records, are looking to avoid losing records and become bowl eligible. 

[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" preview here]

Last Sunday, Florida parted ways with Coach Dan Mullen about 18 hours after a 24-23 loss at Missouri that marked the team's fourth straight in Southeastern Conference play. At 2-6, the Gators not only secured the program's worst league record of the split-division era that began in 1992, but their worst overall league since the infamous 0-10-1 season of 1979. UF athletic director Scott Stricklin tabbed running backs coach/special teams coordinator Greg Knox to serve as interim head coach, a role he has been in before. In 2017, when Florida hired Mullen away from Mississippi State over Thanksgiving weekend, Knox took the Bulldogs' reigns and guided them to a 31-27 victory over Louisville in the Gator Bowl. 

The situations, of course, differ in that Mullen was leaving for the positive things achieved by the program. 

It's up to Knox not to hold the Gators together, as well as put them in the best situation to succeed.

UF running backs coach and special teams coordinator Greg Knox will have a new title for this week, at least: interim head coach.

FSU will come in with some momentum. The Seminoles are on a two-game winning streak, having put together a last-minute, game-winning touchdown drive to beat rival Miami 31-28 on Nov. 13, then defeat Boston College 26-23 on the road last week. This will mark the first crack at the Gators for Coach Mike Norvell, who took over at FSU (by way of Memphis) for the 2020 season and didn't get a chance to face them last season. 

Florida has won two two straight in the series — Mullen exited a resounding 2-0 against the Seminoles — with a pair of blowouts. The Gators won 41-14 win in Tallahassee in 2018, then 40-17 at Gainesville in '19, to run the UF edge in the series to 36-26-2, including 21-12-1 at home. 

On paper, Florida appears to have some big advantages, especially on offense, but the numbers the Gators put up earlier in the season, especially in the running game, have fallen off considerably during their run of four losses over the last five games. Defensively, Florida has allowed an average of 39.8 points and 416.6 yards during that span. 

And there's some quarterback intrigue, as well. 

Starter Emory Jones (2,400 yards, 18 TD, 10 INT) was injured during practice Monday and Knox reportedly will start redshirt freshman Anthony Richardson against the Seminoles. Richardson had some sonic-boom moments earlier in the season, but struggled mightily (3 turnovers in one half) in his lone start of the year, albeit against No. 1 Georgia. This time, he will face a defense ranked 71st nationally, including 58th against the run and 75th against the pass. 

FSU quarterback Jordan Travis has eight touchdowns and no interceptions over the last five games.

For Florida State, quarterback Jordan Travis (1,337 yards, 14 TD, 5 INT) has played well since reclaiming the starting job he lost early in the season to UCF transfer McKenzie Milton. He hasn't throw an interception in the last five games and needs to be accounted for as a runner. The Seminoles rank just 82nd in total offense, including 99th in passing, but had 459 yards against the Hurricanes. Tailback Jashaun Corbin (877 yards, 7 TDs) has four 100-yard outings this season, including 144 in the Seminoles' season-opening loss to Notre Dame. 

Without question, some momentous events are mere days away for the Gators. First things first, though. The Saturday calender looms pretty large, too. 

Kickoff is set for noon on ESPN Network, with Mark Jones on play-by-play, 2011 Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III providing analysis and Quint Kessenich reporting from the sidelines. For radio and television broadcast info, click here. The game will be replayed Monday at 2 a.m. on ESPN2, as well as 3 a.m. on ESPNU, Tuesday at 1 p.m. on ESPNU, plus Wednesday at 2:30 a.m. and Thursday at 11: a.m. on SEC Network. 

Also, check out the "1st & 10 Pre-Game Show," hosted by Jeff Cardozo via the Florida Gators Facebook page, starting at 3 p.m. This week's lineup includes chats tailback Dameon Pierce and defensive end Zachary Carter, "Mic'd Up" segments with the mothers of both Carter and running back Malik Davis during the Samford game, and a feature on wide receiver Trent Whittemore. 

Finally, follow senior staff writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete coverage content from the game late Saturday night and follow-up content Sunday, also.

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