For most of the night it seemed like neither the Florida Gators (10-2, 7-1) nor the Florida State Seminoles (10-2, 6-2) wanted to score, let alone would be able to score.
The first quarter came and went with the two teams combining for 84 total yards and five combined punts. At the end of the day it was the Seminoles who were able to muster up enough offense, two field goals and a touchdown pass before two Dalvin Cook garbage time touchdowns to give Florida State a 27-2 win, their third consecutive win over the Gators.
The Gators had an outside shot at making the College Football Playoff, wins over No. 13 ranked Florida State and No. 2 ranked Alabama in the SEC Championship could have vaulted them into contention, but a putrid offense that has stunk up the last month of the season finally did Florida in.
“Obviously that was disappointing and hats off to those guys,” McElwain said following the game. “They made some plays and we didn’t. It’s plain and simple. We had opportunities. Didn’t feel like we took advantage of them and you know, that’s something we’ve got to learn from.”
It was the same song for Florida. The defense did their part; they showed up to the party, brought what was assigned to them and even an extra bottle of wine because they’re good party guests.
Florida’s defense held Heisman hopeful Dalvin Cook to 33 yards on 13 carries, 5.47 yards per carry less that what Cook entered the game averaging (7.97 yards per carry.) Florida was able to hold Florida State to just 158 total yards for three quarters, as they did everything they could to hold on to a game that their offense refused to partake in.
“It’s something that really makes you sick when you see how hard they’re playing and what the type of defense that they are and you can’t give them any help,” senior tight end Jake McGee said. “You see them out there; they’re making plays left and right. I think going into the fourth quarter [FSU] had like 30 yards rushing, and it’s something that we weren’t able to give them anything.”
The defense finally broke in the fourth quarter. Cook reeled off 150 yards and two touchdowns in the final quarter as the Noles held on to the ball for 8:23. Florida’s defense wouldn’t admit it after the game, but they were worn out after trying to drag an offense that got progressively heavier as the game went on along with them.
Florida’s defense may be one of the best in the nation, but the offense they’ve brought the last month won’t get them anywhere the rest of the year.
The playoff is gone. Florida likely won’t garner a Sugar Bowl invite unless they somehow beat Alabama next week and just like that, in the span of a 60 minute game, Florida has gone from playoff contender to completely out of a New Year’s Six bowl game.