In an interview with ESPN.com in 2012, Steve Spurrier jokingly stated he wished that he could play Georgia early on in the season, “I don’t know. I sort of always liked playing them that second game because you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended,” he said.
The Georgia Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC) don’t have any players suspended for their annual rivalry matchup with the Florida Gators (3-3, 2-3 SEC) this season but they look to benefit from the bye week for the second straight season.
Starting running back and former Heisman hopeful Todd Gurley was suspended when it was alleged that he was paid for signing autographs with brokers, a violation of NCAA rules.
Gurley missed the last two games (dominating wins over Missouri and Arkansas) but has been practicing and participating with the team other than on Saturday. The University of Georgia has cooperated with the NCAA’s investigation and formally appealed to have Gurley reinstated. Mark Richt deflected questions about Gurley’s status but the Gators know what to expect this Saturday.
“We knew Todd Gurley was going to be back this week,” senior linebacker Mike Taylor said with a smirk on his face.
Richt is playing his cards close to the vest, not wanting to give away a perceived advantage to the Gators as they prepare this week but nobody in the Florida locker room is buying what he’s selling.
“Absolutely,” Will Muschamp said as he nodded his head in affirmation when asked if he thought Gurley would play this week. “I would expect him to play.”
Last season, Gurley missed three weeks with an ankle injury, sitting out against Tennessee, Missouri and Vanderbilt. Georgia lost to Missouri and Vanderbilt in his absence but have done just fine without Gurley this season thanks to the emergence of freshman running back Nick Chubb who has carried the ball 68 times the past two games for 345 yards and three touchdowns.
“I actually remember going to media day and somebody showed me a picture of this guy just jumping high in the air, but he was huge,” junior Dante Fowler said of the freshman running back from Georgia. “I guess he was on the track and whatever, and they said it was him. I always knew he was going to be a good player from when I saw that. He can run. He’s pretty powerful just like Gurley.
Still, even with Chubb coming into his own running the football, getting a player the caliber of Gurley back can’t be understated. Georgia will say the right things leading up to the game but if Gurley is reinstated by the NCAA like most expect him to be, Florida will be ready to face off against him and they’re eager to get another crack at the running back who gashed them for 100 yards and a touchdown on just 17 carries a year ago.
“I think he’s gonna play. I really want him to play. He’s a great player and great players bring great competition out of you,” Fowler said. “I feel like he’ll be a good competition for our defense coming up and just for the team. He’s a good player and I look forward to playing him.”
Whether it’s Gurley or Chubb toting the rock the Gators will need to keep Georgia’s rushing attack (which is averaging 265.86 yards a game) in check if they want to win the game.
“It’s going to be a physical game,” Fowler said. “They like to run with two backs, so we’ve seen how that is with LSU and ‘Bama and teams like that. That’s when we love to get our noses dirty and just go out there and play physical.”
“It’s a rivalry game and I know it’s going to be very passionate and I know everyone’s going to be into it. I can’t wait to see how it plays out.”
I don’t think you would prepare differently, regardless of whether or not Gurley plays. Georgia’s offensive game doesn’t change, they still have good backs besides Gurley. Fowler needs to back up his talk. Teams love to run right at him, he’s not been stout against the run.
Gurley won’t be playing. He has two more games to sit out and won’t be eligible until UGA plays Auburn. A good break for Florida, whether they can take advantage of it remains to be seen.