Georgia vs Florida in Jacksonville

While the game is no longer referred to as the “Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” I do not believe Temperance Union Members will be present in large numbers. This contest will go a long way in determining who will represent the East in Atlanta on December 3rd. However, if South Carolina wins out, the former “Cocktail Party” will have no relevance, as the Gamecocks are the only team in the division who control their own vehicle in the journey to Atlanta and the SEC Title Game. South Carolina (4-1) beat Georgia (4-1), in Athens, 45-42 and as a result, hold the tie breaker with the Bulldogs in the event they finish with identical SEC records. However, South Carolina dismissed their starting QB Steven Garcia and then lost Marcus Lattimore, a running back many believe to be the best in the land. South Carolina plays @ Tennessee & then at Arkansas, a team many believe to be the 3rd best in the SEC, and then host a very talented Florida. So the general wisdom suggests that the Gamecocks, who metaphorically will be in several fist fights with a hand tied behind their back, (due to the absence of Lattimore) will not be able to stay on their feet for the final five rounds.

So back to the “Party” and the belief that it is relevant. The Gators won their first four games, Florida Atlantic 41-3, UAB 39-0, & Tennessee 33-23 all in Gainesville and then put a 48-10 whipping on the Wildcats in Lexington. Florida’s season, which started with such promise, has hit rock bottom, a 38-10 pounding by Bama, a 41-11 stomping in Baton Rouge by LSU & at Auburn, a disappointing 17-6 loss. So Florida comes stumbling into this game with three straight losses and in search of an offensive identity. Meanwhile, Georgia is riding a five game high tsunami, carrying along with them 40,000 Georgia fanatics screaming “How ’bout them Dawgs” and taking dead aim @ a bunch of wounded beach boys in Jacksonville. So in the words of Dandy Don Meredith, “Turn out the lights… the Party’s over” seem to sum up this one come Saturday.

But wait – is that Lee Corso I hear babbling, “Not so fast my friend…. while Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Flower stare blankly as if gazing into the abyss. Two words make this a different Florida Team, John & Brantley! Florida’s QB, John Brantley, has returned and given the speed of Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps, put them lights back on and do it fast. Brantley’s reappearance may give these undersized tachyons (Rainy & Demps) the direction and time they need to run circles around this oncoming wave and those dopes barking ” How ’bout then Dawgs”

This game should be highly entertaining. While Florida has won 18 of 21 and 4 of the last five, Georgia certainly has the talent to win this game. The Dawgs QB, Arron Murray, is considered by many to be the most talented player in the SEC at his position. Freshman running back Isaiah Crowell has performed up to his lofty projections averaging 4.8 YPC. Georgia is the Country’s 6th ranked team in Total Defense, allowing a mere 272.9 YPG and boasts the 4th best unit in stuffing 3rd down conversion attempts by holding opponents to an anemic 27.1 success rate. Florida is right behind on defending 3rd down, ranked 5th, holding opponents to a meager 27.4 ratio and are rated 16th in the country in Scoring Defense surrendering 18.9 PPG.

Georgia is a 2.5 to 3 point favorite and I believe they will win the game. Florida is lacking a banger at running back… Georgia has the speed to, not catch, but keep Rainy and Demps inside of them, in front of them and thus force them to play in the meathouse. Georgia 28 Florida 17