Winston’s charge toward a seat in New York City next month for the Heisman Trophy presentation could become that much easier if he has a big game in The Swamp.

Florida may be losers of six straight but the talent and playmaking ability of its defense is still clear. The Gators boast playmakers across all three levels of their defense and are arguably the best group of defenders that Winston will have faced in his young career — espeially in the defensive secondary.

“They’ve got some real good players back there," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. "[Loucheiz] Purifoy, [Cody] Riggs, [Vernon] Hargreaves III, [Jaylen] Watkins, [Brian] Poole, you can go down the list."

In a lost saeson, Patton has been a rare bright spot for Florida.

The senior wide receiver is in the midst of a career year statistically, as he ranks first among Gators in catches (39), yards receiving (554) and touchdown grabs (six).

Patton is also the Gators’ most dangerous special teams player. The Mobile, Ala. native has 20 kick returns this year for 579 yards, including a 100-yard return for a score earlier this seaon.

Patton also has 15 carries for 74 yards on offense.

Jernigan grew up a Gators fan but that didn’t stop him from signing with the ‘Noles (thanks to defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins) three years ago and always heads into these FSU-UF showdowns with a little extra motivation seeing as his Lake City, Fla.hometown is directly in the middle of the two Sunshine State powers’ campuses.

Florida’s offense has struggled mightily this season and keeping Jernigan at bay will be one of its stiffest tests to date. The junior nosegaurd has been virtually unblockable this season and is coming off a game against Idaho in which he led the team in sacks, tackles for loss and total tackles.

"It’s definitely personal," Jernigan said about the matchup. "Florida State versus Florida is one of the old, good traditions in college football."

FSU fans know Fowler’s name very well.

A former superstar high school recruit at St. Petersburg (Fla.) Lakewood Senior, Fowler was committed to the Seminoles as part of the 2012 recruiting class before switiching to Florida on national signing day.

The true sophomore has lived up to his high school hype in Gainesville, playing in all 13 games as a rookie last year and earning freshman all-American honors.

This year, Fowler leads the Gators in tackles for loss (10 1/2) and is second in sacks (3 1/2). He has also forced a team-high three fumbles this season from his "Buck" position on the UF defense.