(Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
Will Muschamp’s final game as Florida’s coach is Saturday against undefeated Florida State.
What if the Gators win?
It’s not completely far-fetched. Florida beat Georgia and Tennessee, lost to LSU by three and put 21 points on Alabama this year. The Seminoles have had to comeback and win games all season against Clemson, NC State, Notre Dame, Louisville, Miami and Boston College. What happens if they dig a hole against the Gators? Can Florida hang on and get Muschamp one last win?
In 2004, former UF coach Ron Zook was in a similar situation. He was fired during the season in which the Gators finished 7-5, but coached the team’s final game against No. 10 FSU in Tallahassee — and won.
Muschamp batted down comparisons to Zook this week.
“It is what it is. That ain’t going to help us win the game, I can assure you of that,” he told reporters. “We’ll prepare well and we’ll go up there and play well.”
(David Manning-USA TODAY Sports)
After Zook’s team beat the Seminoles 10 years ago, his players carried him off the field. Muschamp’s players love him. Would they do the same?
But Muschamp also said this week his team doesn’t need any extra incentive for this game.
“They don’t need fireworks to get ready for this one. They’ll be ready to go,” he said. “Our guys are excited about this game.”
If Florida State were to lose, they would likely be knocked out of the playoff bracket, making room for a team like Baylor, Ohio State, TCU, or maybe even UCLA, depending on what happens with other rivalry games this Saturday.
Anything is possible, especially in late November.
