The Florida Gators are coming off a bye week and are getting ready to play their biggest game this season. The Gators will take on the Georgia Bulldogs in a Jacksonville, Florida in the World’s Largest Cocktail Party. Both teams come into this game coming off bye weeks. There’s a lot on the table for both of these teams as the winner of this game will likely represent the SEC East in the SEC Championship Game. The bye week came at a great time for Florida as they were banged up but expected to be very healthy for this game. Since 1990, the Gators have a 21-9 against the Bulldogs. Here is the Florida Gators versus Georgia Bulldogs game preview.
Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs Preview
Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs look to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive against Florida. Georgia is led by their head coach, Kirby Smart, who’s in his fourth season as Georgia’s head coach. The Georgia offense will be led by their junior quarterback Jake Fromm. The Peach State native has continued to play well since he started as a true freshman. Fromm has completed 71% of his passes for 1,406 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Junior running back D’Andre Swift is the Bulldog’s best offensive weapon as he has 752 rushing yards on 110 carries and seven touchdowns. True freshman wide receiver George Pickens is the lead receiver for Georgia. He has 23 receptions for 318 yards and two touchdowns. Miami transfer Lawrence Cager has been very productive as well. Cager has 19 catches for 245 yards and three touchdowns.
On defense, the Georgia Bulldogs have one of the top-ranked defenses in the country. Junior linebacker Monty Rice is their lead tackler. Rice has 41 tackles including 18 solos and five QB hurries. Redshirt-freshman outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari leads the Bulldogs in sacks with three and a half. He also has three and a half tackles for loss and 24 QB hurries. Cornerback Richard Lecounte is one of the best defensive backs in the SEC and country. Lecounte has 29 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception on the season. Another cornerback to watch for Divaad Wilson. The redshirt-freshman out of Miami is former Florida commit and also has an interception on the year.
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are back on the gridiron after a win against South Carolina ready to take on one of their biggest rivals. The Gators are led by their head coach, Dan Mullen, who’s in his second season as Florida’s head coach. The Florida offense is led by their redshirt-junior quarterback Kyle Trask. The former backup QB has been a pleasant surprise coming in for the injured Feleipe Franks. Trask has completed 67.5% of his passes for 1,391 yards with fourteen touchdowns and four interceptions. Trask also has two rushing touchdowns on the year against Kentucky and Towson. Sophomore tight end Kyle Pitts is the lead receiver for the Gators with 35 receptions for 391 yards and four touchdowns. Redshirt-senior Van Jefferson has been very solid for Florida with 27 catches for 331 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, senior wideout Freddie Swain has 21 catches for 339 yards and four touchdowns.
The Florida Gators defense looks to be healthy again as Jon Greenard and Jabari Zuniga are expected to return from injury. This defense is much better with both of them on the field at the same time. The Gators defense allows less than two yards per rush with both of them on the field. That number jumps to just below five yards per carry when at least one of the two is off the field. Senior linebacker David Reese still leads Florida in tackles with 66 on the season. Further, Reece has two tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery. Junior safety Shawn Davis leads the team in interceptions with three and also has 27 tackles. Todd Grantham and the Florida defense needs to find a way to slow down Swift and Georgia’s rushing attack. Georgia’s offense flows better when they’re able to run the ball.
Five Players to Watch: Georgia Bulldogs
- RB D’Andre Swift
- LB Azeez Ojulari
- QB Jake Fromm
- CB Richard Lecounte
- WR George Pickens
Five Players to Watch: Florida Gators
- DE Jon Greenard
- TE Kyle Pitts
- LB David Reese
- QB Kyle Trask
- CB C.J. Henderson
Five Predictions:
- Trask throws for over 250 yards and two touchdowns.
- Swift scores a rushing touchdown.
- Reese leads the Gators in tackles.
- Georgia’s defense will hold Florida’s rushing attack to under 125 yards.
- Florida Gators beats Georgia Bulldogs 27-20.
