Florida-Georgia Preview

Where I come from, Florida-Georgia week was one of the most exciting, but also incredibly nerve-wracking, weeks of the year. Not only did it usually signal cooler weather was on the way, but it was also one of the premier games circled on the calendar back in the spring. I can vividly remember everybody in high school talking trash about the other school, while rocking either orange and blue or red and black, and announcing what they knew was going to happen on that Saturday to everyone else.

This year, it’s no different. The weather has cooled off to a crisp 72 degrees, the fans have littered social media with their opinions, and the game has major SEC championship game implications. The stakes for this game have not been higher since 2012, where both teams came into the game undefeated. Both teams come into 2018’s World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party with one loss, but enormous hopes of an SEC championship berth and a possible playoff appearance as well. ESPN’s College GameDay crew will be in attendance and both teams are ranked in the Top 10.

For the Gators, this is the last big test on the schedule. After a potential win against the Dawgs, UF would be favored in every game remaining on the schedule, including a date in Tallahassee with FSU. That would put them at 11-1 for the year and likely in Atlanta for the SEC Championship against Alabama. Moreover, a likely loss to Bama would not be disastrous for UF’s playoff hopes, as they would still be alive and well but would need some help from a few other schools.

UGA is in a similar situation, although, the rest of the schedule is not as easy for them. They have a road game against Kentucky and then they get Auburn at home in The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. Win out, though, and the Bulldogs are matched up with Bama.

The keys for UF to win are much easier said than done. They would need to slow down UGA’s running attack, and UF’s run defense has been suspect this season. Georgia is once again loaded at running back, as they traditionally are, with D’Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield. Both guys will be playing on Sundays in a couple years and they will be an incredible test for Florida, who gives up 163 yards per game on the ground.

They would also need QB Feleipe Franks to deliver on 3rd and medium/3rd and long. UF is 41% on 3rd down this season and they will need to improve that number to be successful in this game. The Gators will also need to be able to throw the ball efficiently enough to keep UGA’s defense honest against the run. If not, the Dawgs will have 8 or 9 guys in the box, daring UF to throw it on them.

Personally, I believe UF will win the game. I don’t think UGA’s defense is as good as LSU’s, who UF moved the ball against relatively well. I also don’t believe in Georgia QB Jake Fromm as much as I used to, as he has seemed to regress some from his freshman campaign. I think UF’s defense is the best in the SEC and while they will give up some big plays here and there, they will keep the Gators in the game.

The Gators win 31-30 in an instant classic that we all will remember for years to come as another sign that Florida is back.