Florida State vs. Florida: EJ Manuel and 7 Players Who Will Decide the Outcome

The annual Sunshine State rivalry game between Florida and Florida State kicks off this weekend.

Although the games haven't been as meaningful in recent years, they are still hotly contested and one of the better rivalries in college football.

Florida State will look to bounce back from an upset loss against Virginia, while the Florida Gators look to make it two in a row to cap off their season.

This week's contest features a number of star players, who are likely to figure in to their team's winning strategies.

RB Devonta Freeman: Florida State

Devonta Freeman has given the Seminoles a consistent RB, as he's gained considerable playing time since the Duke game.

He's a true freshman, but that hasn't phased him this year. When the Seminoles give Freeman touches, he tends to put up good numbers and the 'Noles win.

It will be interesting to see how Freeman responds in another big rivalry game.

Against the Miami Hurricanes, Freeman had 99 total yards of offense, so look for him to be unaffected by the magnitude of this game.

QB John Brantley: Florida

While John Brantley was out with an injury, the Florida offense looked ugly. Since his return, the offense has looked better and better each week.

Brantley will factor into a Florida win, because without him under center, the Gators have no passing QB. Without him under center, the Seminoles would instead focus on stopping Jeff Demps and the Gator RBs.

The Gators will need to stretch the field in order to give playmakers like Demps and Chris Rainey space to make defenders miss and thus put up points.

WR Bert Reid: Florida State

When the season began, most FSU fans felt Bert Reid was going to be the team's unquestionable No. 1 receiver.

Reid was entering his final season as a 'Nole and had all the makings of a star wide receiver.

Unfortunately, Reid hasn't lived up to expectations this year but there was a glimmer of hope in the team's loss to Virginia.

Reid finished the game with 108 receiving yards on only four receptions. As a senior, there's no better way to end your career than by beating rivals Miami and Florida.

Look for Reid to step up again in his final contest against Florida.

RB Chris Rainey: Florida

Chris Rainey has looked like the Heisman hopeful we thought he was in the past two weeks.

Against South Carolina, he had 132 rushing yards and last week had 90 rushing yards on only 15 carries.

Rainey and Jeff Demps are a dangerous combination of RBs, and Florida will need to give the ball to them early and often.

Rainey has the ability to turn any play into a scoring opportunity. Look for Florida to use a variety of methods for getting Rainey out in space, where he can use his speed and agility.

CB Greg Reid: Florida State

Greg Reid will look to impact Saturday's game in two ways.

The first will be on defense, where he will likely be matched up against Andre Debose for the majority of the game.

Debose has been Florida's No. 1 receiver for most of the year and is coming off a huge game last week.

Reid will need to become a lock-down corner and take Debose out of the passing game.

Reid will also impact the game on special teams. He can be electric when fielding punts and kicks, as evident by his TD return against Miami.

Even if he doesn't take one to the house, giving the FSU offense good field position will make EJ Manuel's job a lot easier.

RB Jeff Demps: Florida

Jeff Demps is a human highlight reel once he gets the ball in his hands.

He can score at any time and has blinding speed. Arguably the fastest player in college football, the Gators need to get Demps more touches against Florida State.

Demps has been hampered by lingering injuries for most of the season, but as fans saw in the Vanderbilt game, Demps can work his magic if he gets his touches.

Florida State always has good speed on defense, but good speed isn't enough to stop someone of Demps's caliber when he's on.

QB EJ Manuel: Florida State

As EJ Manuel goes, so too does Florida State. The Seminoles have been so dependent on Manuel for success this year—to a fault.

When Manuel was out with injuries, Florida State endured two ugly losses to Wake Forrest and Clemson. After his return, FSU rattled off five straight wins before being knocked off by Virginia last week.

FSU's loss last week doesn't rest on the shoulders of Manuel, as he threw for 200 yards and a TD.

Manuel hasn't thrown an INT since the game against NC State, and that will be key on Saturday.

The 'Noles hope Manuel can keep the offense moving without turning the ball over to the Gators. He certainly can put up the numbers to win, but the 'Noles need more than just Manuel to beat their rivals.

Be sure to check out other Florida State and Florida pieces and more from Kyle.