It took a dramatic goal line stand in the closing seconds, but Florida wrapped up its second straight SEC East Division title with an upset win over LSU.
But before the Gators go to Atlanta for the SEC title game, they first must face one of their fiercest in-state rivals. UF will play at Florida State in a game that could mean more than state bragging rights. A win over the Seminoles would put the Gators in position to earn a College Football Playoff berth with an upset the following week against the Tide.
Florida State has won three straight in the series against the Gators and five of the last six meetings.
"Obviously this is a special week, a rivalry game," Florida coach Jim McElwain said. "We know these guys and they know us well. We recruit a lot of the same guys so there won't be many secrets."
The key for the Gators will be to contain star junior FSU running back Dalvin Cook, who has emerged as a serious Heisman contender. Cook has rushed for 1,467 yards and 17 TDs on 6.1 yards per carry.
"This guy is the most explosive player in college football," McElwain said. "You look at his running and his catching the ball out of the backfield, he's going to play at the next level for a long time."
Florida should enter the FSU matchup with confidence after its 16-10 win over LSU that was decided when the Gators stuffed the Tigers on fourth-and-goal at the one as time expired. Florida has lost five defensive starters this season but some younger players have stepped up, including freshman linebacker David Reese and sophomore defensive lineman Cece Jefferson.
"We have to stay hungry," said Florida quarterback Austin Appleby, who improved to 3-1 as a starter with a win over LSU. "We can't exhale at all. Our destiny is in our hands."
1. WR Tyrie Cleveland
Cleveland caught a 98-yard TD pass against LSU, the longest TD catch for a Gator player since Chris Collinsworth caught a 99-yard TD pass from Derrick Gaffney against Rice in 1977. Cleveland is emerging as a big-play threat for the Gators this season. The true freshman from Houston has 11 catches for 263 yards and 2 TDs on the year. He's averaging 23.9 yards per reception. Cleveland was named SEC freshman of the week after finishing the LSU game with three catches for 124 yards and a TD.
2. RB Jordan Scarlett
Scarlett rushed for more than 100 yards for the third time this season, gaining 108 yards on 22 carries against LSU. Scarlett has rushed for 725 yards on 5.2 yards per carry with 6 TDs on the season.
3. DB Marcel Harris
Harris was excellent in run support against LSU, finishing with 11 tackles. For the season, Harris has 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions.
4. LB David Reese
Reese finished with a team-high 12 tackles against LSU and his filled in nicely on run defense to help compensate for the loss of LBs Alex Anzalone and Jarrad Davis to injury. The 6-0, 244-pound true freshman has 43 tackles on the season, including two tackles for loss. Reese was named SEC defensive player of the week for his performance against LSU.
5. DL Cece Jefferson
Jefferson had four tackles against LSU, the biggest one coming when he stuffed LSU FB J.D. Moore on third-and-goal from the one-yard line in the closing seconds. Jefferson added a big sack against LSU that forced the Tigers to settle for a field goal. For the season, Jefferson has 23 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and one sack.
