Rivalries are so woven into the cultural fabric of the college experience that it is easy to assume all UF students came out of the womb with a distaste for all things Garnet and Gold.
But as the No. 3 Gators (46-2, 18-1 Southeastern Conference) travel west on Interstate 10 to take on the Seminoles (32-19, 8-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) in a doubleheader Wednesday, it is apparent that, for many, the makings of a rivalry is far more nurture than nature.
The softball team carries 20 players, and only seven of them can call the state of Florida home.
By contrast, eight of the players - including freshman second baseman Aja Paculba - list California cities as their hometowns.
"Probably not right now, but probably once I play them, I will be (more into the rivalry)," said Paculba when asked if she thinks she is as emotionally invested as some of the other players. "I still look at it as a rivalry, but I don't know if I'm as much into it as other girls."
One of the other girls Paculba could be talking about is Kentucky native Mary Ratliff, who, after four years at UF, said that the rivalry "gets in your blood a little bit," even if you're not from the Sunshine State.
"It wasn't any secret from the time I got on campus that this is big," she said.
The Seminoles hold a 13-9 advantage in the all-time series between the two programs, including a 7-3 record in Tallahassee.
UF swept FSU a season ago and come into the series as a heavy favorite to win both games.
The Gators' new career strikeout leader Stacey Nelson (30-2) earned both of the victories last season and could pitch in both games Wednesday if they are close.
UF coach Tim Walton has used his junior All-American in seven straight games - five times as a starter and twice to relieve freshman Stephanie Brombacher.
"I'd love to be able to rest somebody here or there, but right now, we're chasing a championship," Walton said of his sparse bench usage.
Over the last 12 games, Nelson has earned the win 10 times and pitched in all but one contest.
While it is worth noting that Brombacher still has a perfect 14-0 record on the season, Walton has made it clear that he wants his ace inside the circle with the game on the line.
As far as outside of the circle, the Gators behind Nelson will look to improve upon their defensive play after committing six errors against Georgia last weekend.
"That's the one thing we need to work on, errors and bunt defense," Paculba said.
Walton said that errors on the road are much more common but that he wasn't too concerned with the defense, which also turned three double plays against the Bulldogs.
The Gators will have an opportunity to showcase their commitment with the leather, as the first game of the doubleheader will be televised at 4 p.m. on Sun Sports.
As for the pressures of being on TV, UF's senior leader offered up some insight.
"I love all the coverage; it's nice to come back and hear your friends say, 'I saw you on TV,'" Ratliff said. "As a player on the field, the cameras are there, but they're not in the way. It doesn't make any kind of difference. People might wear a little bit more makeup. (Sophomore left fielder) Francesca Enea might wear more makeup."
