Florida State vs. Georgia: Orange Bowl Matchup Preview

Florida State and Georgia are set to face off in the Orange Bowl, but both teams have different reasons to be upset. Despite their perfect 13-0 record, Florida State was left out of the College Football Playoff, while Georgia, the reigning national champions, didn’t make the cut this year. This matchup is an opportunity for Florida State to prove that they deserved a spot in the CFP, but it won’t be easy as Georgia is heavily favored to win by two touchdowns.

Florida State’s Challenges

Florida State is facing some challenges heading into the Orange Bowl. They will be without their starting quarterback, Jordan Travis, due to injury. Additionally, their leading rusher, Trey Benson, and second wide receiver, Johnny Wilson, have opted out of the game. There is also uncertainty surrounding the participation of potential first-round picks Jared Verse and Keon Coleman. Without these key players, Florida State won’t be the same team that dominated LSU in their season opener and looked like a national title contender.

Georgia’s Strengths

On the other hand, Georgia is expecting to have most of their team available for the game. Quarterback Carson Beck, who announced his return for the 2024 season, will lead the Bulldogs’ offense. Georgia ranks eighth in the country in total yards per game and ninth in scoring. Their defense is also impressive, ranking in the top 10 in both yards allowed per game and points allowed per game.

A Clash of Elite Defenses

Florida State’s defense has been outstanding this season, allowing just 15.9 points per game during the regular season. They have stepped up even more since Jordan Travis’ injury, holding Florida and Louisville to a combined nine points in their last six quarters. However, it remains to be seen if they can maintain this level of performance after the disappointment of missing out on the College Football Playoff.

History and Expectations

These two teams have only met once since 1984, with Georgia winning 26-13 in the 2003 Sugar Bowl. Florida State has a 5-5 record in the Orange Bowl. Georgia, on the other hand, won the Orange Bowl two years ago in the national semifinal against Michigan.

How to Watch

The Orange Bowl between Florida State and Georgia will be televised on ESPN at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 30. The game can also be streamed on the ESPN app.

Pregame Reading

For more insights and analysis leading up to the game, check out these articles:

• Sign up for the Until Saturday newsletter here
• New Year’s Six previews: Will Florida State fire up to upset Georgia?
• Georgia football roster update: Who’s coming, who’s going, what does it mean?
• Why college football’s identity crisis resulted in Florida State being cheated
• Georgia’s roster in flux? On Carson Beck, the transfer portal and high school recruiting

(Photo of Carson Beck: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)