Florida vs. Florida State Moves to Black Friday Under the Lights at Doak Campbell
For just the third time in the long, heated history of the Sunshine Showdown, Florida and Florida State will meet not on a sun-soaked Saturday, but on a Friday night - and under the lights at Doak Campbell Stadium, no less. The ACC and both schools announced that this year’s rivalry clash will take place on Friday, November 27. Kickoff time hasn’t been set yet, but one thing’s already clear: this one’s going to be a night game in Tallahassee.
So if you’re planning your Thanksgiving weekend, you might want to shift those Black Friday shopping plans - because this year, it’s all about tailgating in Tallahassee.
Rivalry Renewed on a Rare Friday Night
This will mark just the third time in series history that Florida and Florida State face off on a Friday, and only the second time this decade. But for Gators fans, Friday hasn’t exactly been friendly territory in this rivalry. The Seminoles are 2-0 in those rare Friday matchups - first in 1979, when FSU won 27-16 at Doak Campbell, and again in 2022, when the 'Noles edged out the Gators in a 45-38 thriller.
Now, under new head coach Jon Sumrall, Florida will try to flip the script and finally notch a Friday win in this series. The stakes are always high when these two meet, but for the Gators, this one carries a little extra motivation - a chance to end the Friday night curse and make a statement on the road.
Recent History Favors the Gators
While Florida State owns the Friday night bragging rights, the broader recent history swings in Florida’s favor. The Gators have won five of the last seven matchups, including a convincing 40-21 victory this past season in Gainesville. That game wasn’t just a win - it was a showcase.
Sophomore running back Jadan Baugh exploded for 266 rushing yards and two touchdowns, etching his name into Florida football lore with the second-most rushing yards in a single game in school history. It was a performance that reminded everyone just how dangerous the Gators can be when they’re clicking.
A Rivalry That Transcends Records
Neither team posted a winning record in 2025, but don’t let that fool you - this rivalry doesn’t need rankings or playoff implications to matter. Florida vs. Florida State is about pride, tradition, and bragging rights that echo across the state for 365 days.
This will be the 70th meeting between the two programs, with Florida holding a 39-28-2 edge in the all-time series. It’s one of college football’s most iconic rivalries - a game that divides households, fills stadiums, and delivers drama year after year.
And this fall, it gets the primetime treatment.
With a new coaching staff in Gainesville and a fired-up fan base ready to travel north over Thanksgiving weekend, the Gators will look to make a statement in enemy territory. Meanwhile, the Seminoles will aim to protect their perfect Friday night record in the series and remind everyone that Tallahassee under the lights is no easy place to play.
**Florida. Florida State.
The state on the line. ** Under the Friday night lights, the Sunshine Showdown is back - and it’s as fierce as ever.