It's Not Over 'til it's Over

     As an athelete, I always look forward to those "Rivalry Games", every week. But as a Florida Gator fan, there is one rivalry that stands out among the rest--Florida vs. Florida State. Dating all the way back to 1958, this historic rivalry has been the pinnacle of great rivalries throughout the state of Florida. Although the Gators lead the all-time series 34-21-2, the past 5 years have been in favor of the Seminoles from Florida State. The 2012 season, however, was a different story.

After Urban Meyer departed from the Gators after the 2011 season, the Gator Nation became very unknown throughout the NCAA. Meyer held an overall record of 29 wins and 8 losses at UF and led the Gators to 2 National Championships. The loss of Urban Meyer was very surprising to all of college football and, of course, the University of Florida. The following season, however, did look just as promising as previous years. The following year, the Gators hired Will Muschamp to become the new head coach of the Florida Gators. Muschamp had a very impressive resume....until his first season at UF. Although Muschamp ranked the Gators as the no. 3 recruiting class, this "No. 3 recruiting class", did not show up the 2011 season. The 2011 season made Gator Nation lose all hope. Finishing the season 7-6 did not excite the fans, and a loss to FSU that season, made the fans even more hostile.

In 2009, the Florida State seminoles lost a living legend--Bobby Bowden. Bowden announced his retirement in early December, just weeks after his 80th birthday. His announcement shocked, not only FSU, but also the entire state of Florida and beyond. Bowden coached at 4 different colleges with an overall record of 377-129-4 (304–97–4 of thoses wins, losses and ties came at Florida State). In 2010, FSU hired Jimbo Fisher as their new head coach. His first year, however, was quite the opposite of the newly acquired Will Muschamp. Fisher led the Seminoles to their first 10 win season since 2003 and a win against rival Florida.

After being ranked no. 25 in the coaches poll, and barely pulling off a nailbiter win against Bowling Green. The 2012 season for the Gators wasn't looking so promising. After the Gators kept winning, it seemed to be a cinderella story. 3 in a row, 4 in a row, 5 in a row. LSU, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M--these are just a few of the power house teams that were upset by, "No. 25 Florida". The Gators moved all the way to no. 2 in the coaches poll: until they lost to no. 6 Georgia. Which moved them back to no. 9. When the Seminoles were upset by unranked NC State, fans were a little skeptical about the Seminoles facing the Gators.

On November 24th, the Gators beat the Seminoles, 37-26  at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. At the beginning of the year, FSU fans marked this game down as a "W". It just goes to show it's not over 'til it's over.