If you divided the state into four segments north to south (not including the Keys), it looks to me like Gainesville would be in the northernmost slice close to the border of the next slice.
I conceed your point but only if you are going by equal latitudes. Culturally (to me) Gainesville, home of UF and the Gators, is middle Florida, being obviously in peninsular Florida. I know few of my fellow Floridians who divvy Florida in vertical quarters. Most go with North, Mid and South. Just my 2¢s worth!