ESPN College GameDay's panel of experts have unanimously picked No. 5 Florida State to come out victorious against the Florida Gators in a highly anticipated showdown taking place at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. The Seminoles, boasting a perfect 11-0 record, will face off against the Gators (5-6) in a contest that has a long history of intense competition.

Host Rece Davis introduced the segment, highlighting the spoiler role that the Gators hope to play in Florida State's pursuit of an undefeated season. With the Seminoles missing starting quarterback Jordan Travis, backup Tate Rodemaker will take charge in their quest to keep their perfect season hopes alive and potentially secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Rodemaker, who was the first commitment for head coach Mike Norvell when he joined Florida State, has drawn praise from experts for his athleticism and demonstrated familiarity with the team's offensive system. Analyst Desmond Howard specifically mentioned Rodemaker's impressive arm and highlighted his strong performance against Louisville during the 2022 season, where he led a comeback victory in a game that Travis had to exit due to injury.

During the segment, former Seminole EJ Manuel, who now serves as an ESPN/ACC Network analyst, discussed Rodemaker's experience in the system and his ability to excel in run-pass option (RPO) situations. The experts were intrigued by Rodemaker's potential and agreed that he showcased promise in his last appearance.

However, the panel also acknowledged the significant impact and leadership provided by Jordan Travis in Florida State's transformation under Coach Mike Norvell. Travis has played a crucial role in lifting the team from a struggling position to playoff contention. Analyst Kirk Herbstreit expressed curiosity about how the team would respond in Travis' absence and emphasized the importance of finding a new leader and someone who possesses the intangibles needed to navigate tough moments in the game.

Panelist Pat McAfee highlighted Florida State's ability to rally around the loss of their dynamic leader and praised the resilience of players like Rodemaker, who have remained committed to the team in the era of name, image, and likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal. McAfee also pointed out the defensive vulnerabilities of the Florida Gators throughout the season, potentially giving the Seminoles an advantage.

As ESPN College GameDay concluded, the panel unanimously favored Florida State to secure a victory over Florida, further solidifying the Seminoles' status as the team to beat in this heated rivalry matchup. Kirk Herbstreit did not participate in the picks, as he will be calling the game.

Both Florida State and Florida will take the field on Saturday evening, giving fans an eagerly awaited showdown between two fierce rivals with contrasting records.