In this first installment of the “State of Affairs” series, Saturday vs Sunday hosts John Barban and Geoff Dover take on one of the most talent-rich — yet maddeningly inconsistent — regions in all of football: the state of Florida.
From Tallahassee to Tampa and everywhere in between, the guys break down college and NFL football across the Sunshine State, focusing on quarterback volatility, coaching uncertainty, and glimpses of elite potential that may or may not come together in 2025.
On the NFL side, Jon plants his flag: Baker Mayfield is the only quarterback in Florida you can actually trust going into this season. The Bucs look like the most stable pro team in the state, owning their division last year and heading into 2025 with a strong identity. Meanwhile, the Dolphins remain a puzzle. Can Tua stay healthy? Did the offseason losses doom McDaniel’s last chance? And the Jaguars, featuring the electric — and controversial — acquisition of Travis Hunter, are the wild card. Jon makes the case that Jacksonville could be must-watch TV every week based on Hunter’s two-way potential alone.
On the college front, it’s quarterback roulette. DJ Lagway has Heisman-level upside for Florida, but health and schedule could derail everything. FSU’s Castellanos, a Boston College transfer, brings a new look to a team that can’t afford another letdown. Miami’s QB situation is murky, but high expectations persist. Meanwhile, UCF and USF try to rebound from down years, with Byron Brown at USF returning from injury and aiming to recapture his record-setting 2023 form.
Jon and Jeff also explore how recruiting dominance doesn’t always equal on-field results. Florida still produces elite high school talent, but keeping that talent in-state — and turning it into wins — has become a recurring challenge. UCF hopes Scott Frost can revive his 2017 magic, while Florida State, Miami, and Florida continue to fight for control of the ACC and SEC spotlights.
Finally, the episode closes with a preview of the high-stakes early games, like Alabama vs. FSU and Notre Dame vs. Miami, which could immediately reshape the narrative for these programs.
From future Heisman hopefuls to two-way NFL experiments, Florida might be the most volatile football state in America right now. This episode doesn’t just check the temperature — it lights the thermometer on fire.
Whether you’re a fan of Saturday, Sunday, or both, this deep dive into Florida football lays the foundation for one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory.