Scouting the Florida State Seminoles ahead of Saturday’s rivalry matchup

Here’s a rundown of this year’s Florida State team ahead of this year’s Sunshine Showdown.

For the third time in the last four matchups, the Sunshine Showdown between Florida and rival Florida State will feature at least one interim coach on the sideline. The Gators fired fourth-year coach Dan Mullen on Sunday after a one-point overtime loss to Missouri that clinched the program’s first 2-6 finish in conference play since the league expanded in 1992.

With Mullen out, running backs coach and special teams coordinator Greg Knox, who was with Mullen throughout his entire tenures at both Mississippi State and Florida, takes over as interim coach.

This game wasn’t played last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but after losing five in a row against the Seminoles from 2013-17, UF has won the last two matchups in this rivalry series and will look to make that three at home on Saturday. Both teams sit at 5-6, meaning the winner will clinch bowl eligibility while the loser’s season will end.

Here’s what you need to know about an FSU team that is quickly improving.