The University of Florida and Florida State University are two of the
best institutions of higher learning in the third most populous state in
our country. They cooperate in many academic ventures and have joint
programs, especially in the sciences. They do not, however, cooperate in
athletic endeavors and, in fact, compete fiercely in all sports,
especially football. Since 1958, when they first started playing
football against each other, they have met 60 times, twice in postseason
bowl games, one of which was for the national championship. The two
teams have each had three Heisman Trophy winners and have won the
national championship in Division I a total of 13 times: five for
Florida and eight for Florida State. This then is the story of one of
this country's fiercest football rivalries, complete with outstanding
players and coaches, as well as controversies.