Florida vs. Florida State: Early point spread released on Gators, Seminoles

Rivalry week is here and that means the chance for some major upsets in college football’s final week before conference title games. Florida will be looking to score one against Florida State, though it’ll be an uphill climb if the early point spread is any indication.

Florida State has opened as a 5.5-point favorite, according to lines released by FanDuel. The over/under is set at 51.5 points.

How to watch Florida vs. Florida State

Time: 7 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN, FuboTV
Location: Gainesville, Fla.

The Seminoles are searching for a College Football Playoff berth and are well in line to earn one if they can just keep winning. They’ll know the Gators are looking to be a thorn in the side, though, so Florida State will have to be on point.

Florida State certainly has the pieces, as the early point spread indicates, but the Seminoles’ are facing a major hurdle with their title hopes on the line.

Quarterback Jordan Travis has been electric all season long and has thrown for more than 2,700 yards. In a win over North Alabama on Saturday night, however, Travis suffered a devastating leg injury and was carted off the field and straight to an ambulance for transport to a local hospital.

Top targets Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson, though, are getting healthy at the right time. Both have returned to action in recent weeks and should be rounding into form right when Florida State will need them the most as they move forward without their star signal caller and team leader.

Meanwhile, running back Trey Benson has topped the 700-yard mark this season and been a mainstay in the ground game.

Florida has been a remarkably inconsistent team this season.

Of late it’s been the defense that has been letting the Gators down, allowing some historically bad results down the stretch. The unit has been decimated by injuries, and it was a young group to begin with.

If Florida’s going to eat at the early point spread and make it a closer contest against Florida State, it will likely come down to its offense keeping up with the Seminoles.

Quarterback Graham Mertz seems up to that task, emerging as one of the SEC’s most efficient passers. He’s had some younger weapons develop in the likes of receiver Eugene Wilson and tight end Arlis Boardingham, to go along with veteran wideout Ricky Pearsall.

Those will be the primary weapons, along with tailbacks Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne. Both Florida running backs have topped 600 yards rushing this season.

The other factor Florida has working in its favor is that it’ll be at home, perhaps a reason why the early point spread isn’t more lopsided in Florida State’s favor.

Live stream on Fubo! Limited time offer: $40 off Fubo’s Pro, Elite and Premier plans

In any case, the game will kick off on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET with a broadcast on ESPN.