These intrastate rivals have been battling for supremacy since 1958 when the Gators took down the Seminoles 21-7. The Gators hold a 34-32-2 all-time lead. However, things have been more competitive over the last 40 years as the series is tied 21-21-1 since 1974. The rivalry has been particularly fierce over the last 25 years as from 1990 to 2000 both schools were ranked in the top 10 during every meeting.
These two schools first met in 1951 when the Hurricanes beat the Seminoles 35-13. Since then the series has been close with Miami holding a slight 31-28 all-time lead. However, the Seminoles have won the last five in a row. This rivalry has been particularly heated since the late 1980s as both teams have found themselves near the top of the rankings in recent years. Field Goals have been particularly pivotal in the rivalry having decided several of the most famous contests including Wide Right I, II, III, and IV as well as Wide Left.
Florida State and Clemson have played each other every year since the Seminoles entered the ACC in 1992. Florida State has gotten the better of Clemson over the course of the rivalry as they won the first meeting between the teams in 1970 38-13 and hold a 20-8 lead in the all-time series. Between the late 1990s and the early 2000s, this rivalry was known as the Bowden Bowl as Bobby Bowden coached the Seminoles while his son Tommy was the head coach of the Tigers.
When the Seminoles and Cavaliers meet they play for the Jefferson-Eppes Trophy, which is named after Thomas Jefferson and his grandson Francis W. Eppes VII. The two schools played every year from 1992 to 2006. However, their meetings have become more sporadic due to the divisional alignment of the ACC. Florida State owns a 14-3 series leads and will look to extend that lead in 2019 when the teams meet again.
Seminoles Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
Tailgating at Florida State is serious business, as the fans here don’t wait until Saturday morning to get things going. Downtown Getdown is one of the best parts of a Seminoles home game as each Friday night before the game downtown begins to rock in anticipation. There are live bands, street vendors, and some streets are completely shut down due to the crowd. If you get to Tallahassee a day before the game, make sure to attend the Downtown Getdown to get the real Florida State experience.
Seminoles fans love to throw back a few beers and have a wild and fun time on game days. The pregame party here starts on Friday night and lasts all through the weekend with fans drinking and carousing long into the night on game days. Come prepared to party hard and get wild when attending a Florida State game since you wouldn’t want to miss out on any of the game day fun.
While Florida State provides a raucous pregame atmosphere, you won’t find the same kind of homemade food here as you will at many of the other ACC tailgates. The bar and restaurant scene is more popular, so make sure to check out our list of places to go before and after the game.
Residing in the Williams Family Plaza, the Chief Osceola statue is a symbol of the spirit of the Seminole people and a tribute to their long lasting legacy. The spear is ignited each night at sunset and burns until sunrise the morning after. If attending a night game make sure to check out the statue before or after the game.
Each Friday night before the game downtown begins to rock in anticipation. There are live bands, street vendors, and some streets are completely shut down due to the crowd.
Before every Florida-Florida State game you’ll find Seminoles fans roasting alligator. There are few better tailgate experiences out there than eating some delicious roast alligator before this instate clash.
The Sod Cemetery located next to the practice field gives fans a look into the history of Florida State football. Here you’ll find patches of sod from all the biggest Seminole victories throughout their history. This is a must see for any Florida State or college football fan.
The bronze statue located outside of the stadium illustrates a typical Seminole family from the 1800s and is an excellent way to honor the Seminole Tribe and their heritage.
Located at the AI D. Strum Plaza, this 15-feet tall statue portrays a football player standing and extending his hand to help a fallen rival. The statue helps to reiterate the great tradition and values of Florida State University and Florida State athletics.
Each Friday night before the game downtown begins to rock in anticipation. There are live bands, street vendors, and some streets are completely shut down due to the crowd. If you get to Tallahassee a day before the game, make sure to attend the Downtown Getdown to get the real Florida State experience.
Where to tailgate
Tailgate LotsIf you want to set up your tailgate the reserved lots are a great place to be as they open at least five hours before kickoff.
Indian VillageIndian Village is located right next to Doak Campbell Stadium and home to some of the wildest FSU tailgates around.
Local Bars and RestaurantsThe bar and restaurant scene in Tallahassee is one of the best around. When pregaming before a ‘Noles game make sure to stop by local favorites like Voodoo Dog and Momo’s Pizza.
Seminoles Stadium Guide
In Game
The Seminoles have called Doak Campbell Stadium home since 1950, and it has been home to many memorable moments. The history and tradition at Florida State are worth the price of admission alone, and you’ll be able to feel the aura of the stadium the minute you step foot in one of the cathedrals of college football.
Doak Campbell Stadium provides one of the most intense and intense and unforgettable college football atmospheres in the nation. The fans here are buzzing all game whether they are watching Chief Osceola lead the team onto the field or taking part in the Seminole War Chant.. This one of a kind atmosphere is sure to give you goosebumps as the passion of the fans here knows no bounds.
The fans here are pumped up before the game even gets going. Before every match, the Florida State marching band enters the field as Seminole fans recite the war chant riling up the fans and creating an electric atmosphere that is something special to be a part of. Regardless of what team you cheer for the atmosphere at a Florida State game is sure to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up and provide an unforgettable experience.
This three story stained-glass window overlooking the field depicts former coach Bobby Bowden among a sea of fans. It is one of the five largest stained-glass windows in all of the United States and a tribute to one of the greatest coaches in college football history.
Chief Osceola rides onto the field on the back of his trusty steed Renegade and throws a flaming spear into the center of the stadium. The tradition will raise the hairs on the back of your neck and give you the true essence of Florida State football.
This game day tradition really gets the fans pumped up and ready to cheer on the Seminoles to victory. Before every game, the Florida State marching band enters the field as Seminole fans recite the war chant. Regardless of what team you cheer for the marching band walk is sure to bring you goosebumps and make attending a game at Doak Campbell Stadium an unforgettable experience.
Here’s a hymn to the garnet and the gold, ringing to the sky.
Here’s a song for the men and women bold, sing with heads held high.
Striving e’er to seek to know, fight for victory.
Alma mater, this our song to you echoes “F. S. U
Seminole War Chant
The Seminole War Chant can be heard all throughout Tallahassee as it is the rallying cry of the team and fans. 80,000 Seminole fans waving their hands back and forth as they cheer on their team is quite the sight to behold as well as a great way for the fans to get in their opponent's head. Join in the Seminole War Chant for the chance to experience one of the most famous traditions in college football.
You got to fight, fight, fight for FSU!
You got to scalp ’em Seminoles!
You got to win, win, win, win this game and
Roll on down to make those goals!
For FSU is on the warpath now,
and at the battle’s end she’s great.
So fight, fight, fight for victory,
the Seminoles of Florida State!
F-L-O-R-I-D-A……S-T-A-T-E
FLORIDA STATE!! FLORIDA STATE!! FLORIDA STATE!!
Woooooooooooooooo!!!!
(repeat)
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