Florida (5-2, 3-1 SEC) and Georgia (7-0, 4-0 SEC) are facing off for the 101st time in the 91st meeting between the two teams in Jacksonville. Georgia leads the series, 54-44-2, and owns a 48-41-1 advantage in Jacksonville.
Gator Country previews Florida vs Georgia by providing you with our roundtable discussion.
What are the keys to the Gators’ offense against Georgia’s 6th ranked defense?
AS: Florida has to be able to run the ball and keep the Bulldogs defense honest and respecting both the run and pass. Graham Mertz doesn’t need to throw the ball 30 plus times in the game, the Gators need to run the ball here.
NM: The reality is that Georgia has stars all over the field and excel at defending both the run and the pass. This will not be an easy task, but the Gators need their offensive line to play their best game of the season. If the Gators can win up front, Mertz will have the opportunity to get the ball into the hands of his play makers, who are good enough to cause problems for the Bulldogs’ defense.
GH: The Gators must be nearly perfect on offense if that side of the ball is to find any success on Saturday. When this offense struggles, it’s because of the lack of physicality and undisciplined penalties up front. The only way Florida has a chance on offense is if they match the physicality of Georgia’s front seven. It’s going to be a tough task, but it can be done. Both the running game and passing attack need to be equally effective and that all starts with the offensive line.
What are the keys to the Gators’ defense against a Georgia offense led by first year starter Carson Beck?
AS: Much like the offense, the Gators’ defense needs to be able to stop Georgia’s rushing game and keep the Dawgs behind the chains. Georgia likes to go to Brock Bowers when they face big downs so without him, where will Beck go with the ball? He has plenty of options but how will Beck respond without his top playmaker? That all starts with stopping the run.
NM: The key to the Gators’ defense will be to get pressure on QB Carson Beck. Beck has led the Dawgs to the 5th ranked passing offense in the FBS, but will now be without his top target in TE Brock Bowers. Bowers has served as Beck’s security blanket this season. If the Gators can generate pressure on Beck, he will have to find another go to target.
GH: Consistency is something that must develop for this defense. Since the loss in Salt Lake City, this defense improved dramatically but have failed to keep improving as the games get played. The front four needs to live up to their expectations and cause issues for Carson Beck and Georgia’s offensive line. Getting to the quarterback has steadily improved from what we witnessed last season, but that group isn’t where they need to be just yet. Turnovers need to be a priority, but as we’ve seen so far this year, that’s not happening unless the defensive line can get in the backfield consistently. The Gators need to fill gaps, make tackles and not give up big plays down field if they want any chance.
Georgia’s best player in Brock Bowers is out for the game. What kind of impact do you think this will have on the Bulldogs’ offense?
AS: I think it has a big impact on the game, Bowers is one of the best players in college football and when the Dawgs need a big play, they go to Bowers so Carson Beck will not have his safety option in this game.
NM: The reality is that Georgia is talented enough to where we may not notice a difference in the Georgia offense with Brock Bowers sidelined. However, as Billy Napier said, we’d rather play them without Brock Bowers.
GH: I think this is a huge deal in terms of Georgia’s chemistry offensively. The positive news for the Gators is that Georgia must quickly find and establish their identity and translate that in Jacksonville. The bad news is that Georgia has had two weeks to figure things out without their star player, and that offense has some sneaky good athletes that can make you pay. Personally, I think Georgia is a good enough football team to find plenty of success without Brock Bowers. However, the Gators can really knock that offense out of sync early if they come ready to play.
Who would you like to see receive more playing time in week nine?
AS: Kam Waites is a guy that I want to see more of. He has played well at right tackle and at times Damion George has struggled so I wouldn’t mind seeing what Waites can do if Georgia struggles on Saturday.
NM: I’m going to go with EDGE Kelby Collins. Collins has generated 14 pressures this season while Tyreak Sapp has just nine. The Gators like to substitute Collins in on third downs, and I think the freshman could be an impact player in this game. The Gators need another spark off the edge if they want to hang with Georgia.
GH: I’d like to see Trevor Etienne get more snaps on Saturday. I know Etienne has been banged up, but this is a game where he needs to get the majority of touches in my opinion. Montrell Johnson has pushed this offense down the field all season and has been great, but I think Etienne could elevate this offense with his explosiveness and ability to fly through gaps.
Other keys to victory?
AS: Special teams can’t give away points or field position in this game. Florida has to play a close to perfect game on Saturday so giving anything away will not work, plus the Gators need to be able to get points when they have chances.
NM: I don’t see a way Florida wins this game without winning the turnover battle, so that is my biggest key to the game. Take care of the football and create takeaways from Georgia’s offense. The Gators defense put an emphasis on creating takeaways during the bye week.
GH: I think the biggest key is to play smart, sound and disciplined football for sixty minutes. When this team plays physical and limits the mental mistakes, everything seems to click. I think to be successful in every area this weekend, the Gators must make those two things a priority.
Florida is currently a 14.5-point underdog against Georgia. How do you see this game going? Give us a score prediction.
AS: I’m going with 27-17 Georgia in this game. I think the Dawgs are still better at the line of scrimmage and that’s where this game is won.
NM: I do think Florida hangs around in this game, but I don’t see the Gators being able to pull it off. I have Georgia winning 28-13. This game will be won on the LOS, and I don’t see the Gators keeping up with Georgia on either side of the ball.
GH: I don’t think that Georgia’s offense takes too many steps back with Brock Bowers out. This team can turn it up when they want to and can dominate you on both sides. I have Georgia winning 32-20.