I was thoroughly impressed with the limited snaps backup QB Max Brown received last week and I think he's an excellent dual threat option for Florida. Florida State has their own issues at QB with backup Rodemaker, but he admittedly has way more experience. I want to be early on Max Brown and this is about as early as I can be. I think the Gators are a live dog here at home.

Battle of the backup QBs here in the Sunshine State Rivalry with more at stake, including FSU staying unbeaten into the ACC title game and two wins from the playoffs, but now doing so minus injured QB Jordan Travis and backup Tate Rodemaker now running the show. backup QB for the Gators, too, as frosh Max Brown (who impressed last week vs. Mizzou) takes the place of the injured Graham Mertz. This is also a game the Gators need to win to secure bowl eligibility, which might be important for Billy Napier to keep his job, and even with Travis, the Noles have rode a lot of lightning to get to 11-0 into this traditional finale. Play Florida

This is such an important game for both teams. Florida needs a 6th win to become bowl eligible and undefeated Florida State is playing for a shot at the College Football Playoff. FSU QB Jordan Travis is out, the Seminoles will go with Tate Rodemaker, 93 career passes. Florida starting QB Graham Mertz is out, backup redshirt freshman Max Brown, has 12 career passes.The Seminoles defense has allowed 20 or less in seven straight games.

This game is an absolute mess. FSU enters the first full week after the injury to their heart and soul QB in a game that has meaning in terms of staying in the CFB Playoff hunt but their spot in the ACC title game next week is already solidified. That said though, FSU now HAS to protect their QB at all costs or the dream is over. Expect the 'Noles run game and defense. Florida has a backup QB as well and faces a great defense, so run the football. Long story short, running clock on both sides and a ton of punts from the 50.

The battle between backup quarterbacks Tate Rodemaker for Florida State and Max Brown for Florida will be ugly. Very ugly. Neither coach will give their new starter much of the offense and rely on the running game. That will lead to slow, plodding drives and a lot of punts. This one will be played in the teens.

Backup quarterbacks are not always created equal. FSU's Tate Rodemaker, filling in for the injured Jordan Travis, is a redshirt junior experienced enough to have played in 2020. He holds an edge on Florida's Max Brown, a redshirt freshman who is replacing the ailing Graham Mertz and has 12 career passes. More so, the Seminoles (11-0) are seeking a berth in the college football playoffs, whereas the Gators (5-6) will find little motivation in striving for a minor bowl. Underdogs in rivalry matchups are worth considering, but the motivation gap is vast here.

Calling backup quarterbacks.Starters Graham Mertz of Florida and Jordan Travis of FSU almost certainly are out after last Saturday's injuries. Max Brown, a redshirt freshman who had hurled seven passes before replacing Mertz at Missouri, stands in for Mertz. Tate Rodemaker, has mopped up regularly this season, given the Seminoles' many blowouts, but must cope with the pressure of keeping his team in CFB playoff contention. The 'Noles rank 24th in defense among FBS teams and should keep the Mertz-less Gators in the teens.