Chick-fil-A Bowl 2010: A History of Steve Spurrier and Florida State Seminoles

During Tuesday's press conference, South Carolina's head coach Steve Spurrier was asked if he still had any emotions about playing Florida State because of his time spent at the University of Florida. 

His answer was, "The last time I played against Florida State was 2001, that was a long time ago. It's a different group of guys here now, it's a whole different scenario. I guess if they start playing that song, the "Indian chant," I hope we don't have to hear that. That means we're playing well if we don't have to hear that."

The way he answered was interesting. He truly meant at the beginning that it didn't matter who the opponent was, but you could tell as he continued to talk that he was remembering his past history against the Seminoles and reminiscing. 

On a quick tangent, Spurrier should not be trying out for American Idol anytime soon. When he talked about the "Indian Chant" he tried to sing it for us. 

Whether he says it or not, the fact that this game is against Florida State does make it more special for Spurrier. 

Let's take a look back at his history against the Seminoles. 

1963: Florida 7, Florida State 0

This was the first taste that Steve Spurrier got of the rivalry between the two schools in Florida.

Spurrier sat on the bench as the backup quarterback and watched this defensive struggle. 

Even though he didn't play, Spurrier still technically got the win. 

Steve Spurrier 1, Florida State 0

1964: Florida State 16, Florida 7

Steve Spurrier got his first start at quarterback against the Seminoles, but it didn't go so well for him. 

Florida was ranked No. 7, but they went into Tallahassee and could only muster a single touchdown. Florida State, ranked No. 12 at the time, scored 16 points. 

It was the first win for Florida State in the series' history. 

Steve Spurrier 1, Florida State 1

1965: Florida 30, Florida State 17

Steve Spurrier got some redemption in this home game. 

Still a little bit upset from last year's embarrassing performance, Spurrier led a 30-point onslaught, and the Gators came out on top of the Seminoles by a 13-point margin. 

Steve Spurrier 2, Florida State 1

1966: Florida State 22, Florida 19

Fresh off the big win in 1965, Steve Spurrier led his team to another big win during his senior year. 

While Florida State was unranked in this home game, Florida was ranked No. 10 and a heavy favorite. 

The Gators came in to Tallahassee, saw their opposition and conquered them, winning by three points. 

It was just one more successful chapter in Spurrier's 1966 Heisman campaign. 

Steve Spurrier 3, Florida State 1

1978: Florida State 38, Florida 21

This was Spurrier's first game against Florida State as a coach.

In this game, Doug Dickey was the head coach for the Florida Gators, and Steve Spurrier was merely the quarterback coach. 

The game was played at Florida State and didn't go so well for the Gators as they fell by 17 points. This was right in the midst of a big losing streak to the Seminoles. 

Steve Spurrier 3, Florida State 2

1990: Florida State 45, Florida 30

Steve Spurrier's first season as the head coach of the Florida Gators had to be considered a success, but they still couldn't take down the Seminoles. 

The game was played in Tallahassee and became an offensive shootout. 

At the end, No. 8 Florida State took down No. 6 Florida. 

Steve Spurrier 3, Florida State 3

1991: Florida 14, Florida State 9

This matchup of top five teams went Spurrier's way. 

No. 3 Florida State had to travel to Gainesville and take on the fifth ranked Gators of Florida. 

It was a low-scoring battle, but Florida held the Seminoles without a touchdown and got the big win. 

Steve Spurrier 4, Florida State 3

1992: Florida State 45, Florida 24

This wasn't the most exciting game in the series' history as the Seminoles held a lead throughout the game. 

Florida State was ranked No. 3 and almost doubled No. 6 Florida's score. 

Steve Spurrier was on the losing end of this one, 45-24. 

Steve Spurrier 4, Florida State 4

1993: Florida State 33, Florida 21

The top ranked Florida State Seminoles prevailed yet again in this game, beating No. 7 Florida 33-21. 

Future Heisman trophy winners Charlie Ward and Danny Wuerffel started at quarterback in this game. 

Ward and the Seminoles would go on to win the national championship. 

Florida State 5, Steve Spurrier 4

1994: Florida 31, Florida State 31

No. 4 Florida went into Florida State's stomping grounds and ended up tied at 31 with the No. 7 Seminoles. 

The game became known as the Choke at Doak after Florida blew a 31-3 fourth quarter lead. 

Fortunately, they would get a chance to determine the winner later on that season. 

Florida State 5.5, Steve Spurrier 4.5

1995: Florida State 23, Florida 17

The rematch came in the conclusion of the 1994-1995 season in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl. Predictably, it became known as "The Fifth Quarter in the French Quarter."

Each team had moved up one spot in the rankings, Florida State to No. 6, Florida to No. 3.

Despite being the underdogs, the Seminoles came out of New Orleans with a six-point win. 

Florida State 6.5, Steve Spurrier 4.5

1995: Florida 35, Florida State 24

After having two chances in the 1994 season to take down the Seminoles and failing both times, Steve Spurrier got the win in the 1995 regular season. 

The No. 3 Florida Gators beat the No. 6 Seminoles to complete their first undefeated regular season.

That one had to taste good. 

Florida State 6.5, Steve Spurrier 5.5

1996: Florida State 24, Florida 21

For the first time in the history of the rivalry, both schools were undefeated going into the big game. 

Florida State was ranked No. 2 but beat the No. 1 Gators by three points in a tightly contested game. 

Steve Spurrier would get his revenge though later that year. 

Florida State 7.5, Steve Spurrier 5.5

1997: Florida 52, Florida State 20

The rematch for the 1996 regular season game took place in New Orleans at the 1997 Sugar Bowl (which was the national championship game for that aforementioned regular season). 

Florida State was ranked No. 1 and Florida was No. 3, but the Gators chomped down hard on the Seminoles and completely dominated the game. 

It was both Steve Spurrier and the Florida program's first national title. 

Florida State 7.5, Steve Spurrier 6.5

1997: Florida 32, Florida State 29

Florida State was No. 1 in the country, bringing an undefeated record into Gainesville to take on the No. 10 Florida Gators. 

However, Florida would get their second-straight win over the Seminoles. 

Some consider it one of the biggest wins for Florida and Steve Spurrier in the rivalry's history.

Florida State 7.5, Steve Spurrier 7.5

1998: Florida State 23, Florida 12

Florida State was ranked No. 5 and Florida was No. 4, but the Seminoles scored the upset win in this one. 

It was possibly because they had the home-field advantage or maybe they just had the better team. 

Regardless, Spurrier slipped even father behind in his battle with the Seminoles after this loss. 

Florida State 8.5, Steve Spurrier 6.5

1999: Florida State 30, Florida 23

Florida State was ranked No. 1 but had to travel to Gainesville to take on the No. 3 Florida Gators. 

Fortunately for Seminoles fans, they won by a touchdown and went on to win the national championship—the second in their school's history. 

Steve Spurrier now had a relatively insurmountable disadvantage in the series. 

Florida State 9.5, Steve Spurrier 7.5

2000: Florida State 30, Florida State 7

Florida State continued their stretch of dominance, winning their third rivalry game in three years. 

The Seminoles, ranked No. 3, completely dominated the fourth-ranked Gators, winning by 23 points. 

It would be Spurrier's last loss to the Seminoles as the head coach of the Florida Gators. 

Florida State 10.5, Steve Spurrier 7.5

2001: Florida 37, Florida State 13

Steve Spurrier's last game against Florida State as the head coach of the University of Florida was one to remember. 

Playing in Gainesville, he led the No. 4 Gators to a huge win over the No. 20 Seminoles.

A 24-point win over the hated rivals is a nice way to leave the program. 

Florida State 10.5, Steve Spurrier 8.5