It’s the World’s Largest Cocktail Party as the Florida Gators take on the Georgia Bulldogs in Jacksonville, Florida. This is the biggest game of the week as both teams are Top 10 ranked teams and will have College GameDay and SEC Nation covering the game. Both of these teams come in with 6-1 record and are playing for a chance to represent the SEC East in the conference championship. The Gators and Bulldogs are both coming off bye weeks. In their last games, Florida came back to beat Vanderbilt 37-27 and Georgia lost to LSU 36-16. Since 1990, the Gators are 21-7 versus the Georgia Bulldogs. Here is the Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs preview.
Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs will come into this game with a chip on their shoulder. The Bulldogs suffered their first loss last game against the LSU Tigers. Georgia will look to bounce back with a win against their hated rivals, the Florida Gators. Georgia’s offense will be led by sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm and their rushing attack. Fromm hasn’t’ had the season most expected. He has a very solid 66.9 completion percentage with 1,409 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. Georgia’s rushing attack will be a major key for the Dawgs as they’ll lean on Elijah Holyfield and D’Andre Swift. Holyfield is the lead rusher for the Bulldogs as he has 65 carries for 488 yards and four touchdowns. Swift has 71 carries for 362 yards and four scores. Georgia’s top two wide receivers are juniors Mecole Hardman and Riley Ridley.
On defense, the Georgia Bulldogs are led by their defensive minded head coach Kirby Smart. They are also led by junior cornerback Deandre Baker. The defensive back has 25 tackles on the season with two interceptions and eight pass breakups. Sophomore safety Richard LeCounte leads the Bulldogs in tackles with 40 tackles. He also has three pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. D’Andre Walker will be a defensive player to keep an eye on as he leads Georgia in sacks with five on the season. Walker also leads the Bulldogs in tackles for loss with six. Georgia’s main goal this game must be to shutdown Florida’s rushing attack and pressure Feleipe Franks.
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators will also come into this game with a chip on their shoulder as Georgia blew out the Gators last season. It was also Jim McElwain final game as the Florida Gators head coach as he parted ways with Florida. The Gators offense will be led by redshirt-sophomore quarterback Feleipe Franks and their running backs. Franks has had a much better season as he has 56.5 completion percentage with 1,406 passing yards, fifteen touchdowns and five interceptions. Redshirt-junior running back Jordan Scarlett is the lead rusher for the Florida Gators. Scarlett has 70 carries for 381 yards and three touchdowns. Junior running back Lamical Perine has 69 carries for 376 yards and also has three touchdowns. Ole Miss transfer Van Jefferson is the lead receiver for Florida as he has 19 receptions for 265 yards and four touchdowns.
The Florida Gators defense led by defensive coordinator Todd Grantham have had two weeks to prepare for Georgia and should be ready for their offense. Junior linebacker Vosean Joseph leads the Gators in tackles with 44 tackles. He also has 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and a fumble recovery. Junior defensive end Jachai Polite is having a breakout season as he has 8.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and four forced fumbles. Jabari Zuniga has also been big this season with 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and three QB hurries. Juniors Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and David Reese will have huge roles this game as they’ll need to stop the Georgia rushing attack. Brad Steward and C.J. Henderson will be the two defensive backs to watch as they have had big seasons and have locked down their receivers.
5 Players to Watch: Georgia Bulldogs
- RB Elijah Holyfield
- CB Deandre Baker
- DE D’Andre Walker
- RB D’Andre Swift
- QB Jake Fromm
5 Players to Watch: Florida Gators
- DE Jachai Polite
- RB Lamical Perine
- LB David Reese
- S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
- RB Jordan Scarlett
5 Prediction:
- Florida Gators rusher for over 150 yards.
- Justin Fields gets a rushing touchdown.
- Chauncey Gardner-Johnson leads Florida in tackles.
- Georgia’s defense holds Florida’s passing game under 200 yards.
- Georgia Bulldogs beats Florida Gators 26-17.
