In terms of college football rivalries, the Georgia-Florida matchup has always provided some fun fireworks in the middle of the season. The World's Largest Cocktail Party never disappoints in terms of drama and this year is expected to be no different. The Georgia Bulldogs are trying to salvage their season after injuries hit hard while the Florida Gators remain in contention for the SEC East.
This game between the two teams is the de facto SEC East title game. If the Gators were to win they likely clinch the East while the Bulldogs can keep their dreams alive with a win. This is a much different outlook of the Eastern Conference than originally predicted at the start of the season. The Bulldogs were expected to run the conference while the Tennessee Volunteers were expected to be a close second. Instead, the Gators have shocked the SEC behind new head coach Jim McElwain and now they have a chance to rely defy expectations by getting into the conference championship.
The Gators are coming off a close loss to LSU in which their perfect record was demolished. Quarterback Treon Harris handled the starting quarterback job well as the team was able to rush for 418 yards. Harris only threw six passes in the game, but a faked field goal is what led to the team's first loss of the year. The Gators did a solid job of keeping the LSU rush game relatively in check, something that they need to keep up against Georgia.
The Bulldogs' run game will not be as potent as it once was as Nick Chubb is out for the year following surgery on a knee injury. The Bulldogs are coming off a 9-6 win over Missouri that was certainly not what the fans were expecting from that game, but head coach Mark Richt was encouraged by the fight his team showed in the matchup. Now coming off a bye week, they are rested and ready for the Gators.
The biggest question for the Bulldogs is the starting quarterback position. Greyson Lambert, Brice Ramsey and Faton Bauta all got first-team reps in practice. The quarterback position has certainly been an area of concern for the Bulldogs this season as Richt is hopeful a little competition will push the unit in a better direction.