In a highly anticipated matchup, the No. 5 Florida State Seminoles and the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs will face off in the Orange Bowl on Saturday. Both teams, who were among the top four in the nation prior to conference championship weekend, unfortunately fell short of earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, this New Year's Six bowl game provides them with an opportunity to end their seasons on a high note.

For Georgia, their hopes of making the playoff were dashed when they lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. As a result, the Crimson Tide took the No. 4 spot in the final rankings, leaving the Bulldogs on the outside looking in. Similarly, Florida State saw their playoff aspirations slip away, despite entering the conference championship weekend in contention. Now, both teams aim to prove themselves against each other and finish the season strong.

The Orange Bowl matchup will mark the first meeting between Georgia and Florida State since 2003 and only the 12th meeting in their all-time series. With Georgia holding a 6-4-1 edge, the teams have had limited encounters in recent decades, with their last two meetings taking place in bowl games. Notably, they tied 17-17 in the 1984 Citrus Bowl, while Georgia emerged victorious with a 23-16 win in the Sugar Bowl at the end of the 2002 season.

Despite some key players being absent from both teams due to injuries or opting out, the matchup is expected to be fiercely competitive. Both coaching staffs recognize the importance of this opportunity to face a top-tier opponent and view it as a measuring stick for the upcoming season.

The game will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Georgia is looking to extend their impressive streak of 27 consecutive bowl appearances, which is the longest active streak in the nation. Additionally, they aim to secure their seventh consecutive postseason victory since 2019. The 2023 senior class of Georgia also has a chance to break the school record for wins in a four-season run, currently held by the 2022 class with a 49-5 record across four seasons.

Georgia's quarterback, Carson Beck, will have the opportunity to shine on the national stage. Beck had a strong debut season as a starter, boasting impressive passing statistics that rank among the top in Georgia's record books. With the Florida State secondary potentially weakened by the absence of multiple starters, Beck will look to add to his impressive season and set new records.

The odds favor Georgia in this matchup, with the SportsLine consensus projecting a win with a 14.5-point margin. While Florida State will undoubtedly put up a fight, particularly on their home turf, the Bulldogs' execution and overall strength make them the frontrunners to secure a dominant victory.

As the clock ticks down to kickoff, fans eagerly anticipate a thrilling clash between these two powerhouse programs. Despite missing out on the College Football Playoff, both Georgia and Florida State have a chance to make a statement and cap off their seasons with a memorable performance.