UGA vs. UF (w/video)

By JASON BUTT on October 30, 2008

3:30 p.m.
Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
CBS-TV

GEORGIA OFFENSE

Georgia had an impressive showing against LSU, breaking big plays on the Tigers’ defense. Wide receiver A.J. Green is becoming a sharper weapon each week and running back Knowshon Moreno has been himself the last three weeks – which is the best running back in college football. Since Clint Boling has moved to left tackle, the offensive line has played extremely well. Boling has been a monster on the line, opening holes for Moreno and Caleb King. Georgia is No. 1 in the SEC in total offense and its balance has kept the last three opponents on their heels.

FLORIDA DEFENSE

The Gators are tops in the SEC in scoring defense, only giving up 11.9 points a game. That stat might be skewed just a little, since the only relevant offense Florida has faced is LSU, and the Gators gave up 21. Oh, and don’t forget the 31 Ole Miss put on Florida. To Florida’s credit, its defense has stepped up since the Ole Miss debacle. It’s now No. 1 in the SEC in pass defense efficiency and sitting at No. 3 in total defense in the conference.

EDGE: GEORGIA

Given a year of separation, just about all of Georgia’s major skill position players will line up against most of the same guys from Florida. There’s no reason to think that Florida’s secondary has magically become better than it was a year ago when Matthew Stafford and Mohamed Massaquoi torched the Gators. Georgia’s offensive line is emerging and Stafford is one of the best in the SEC, if not the best in the country, at awareness in the pocket.

GEORGIA DEFENSE

Georgia gave up a lot of yards last week against LSU, but be careful with that stat. Most of the yards came late in the game, when Georgia went up by three touchdowns. Head coach Mark Richt said it was easy for the defense to sit in a prevent defense while up big – probably because the Bulldogs wanted to keep the ball in front of them. Georgia won’t be able to sit in a soft zone this week as Florida will try to get the ball to its speedy playmakers in space. The key will be forcing Florida quarterback Tim Tebow to throw deep with Georgia’s corners playing well in man-to-man coverage.

FLORIDA OFFENSE

Florida’s offense struggled some earlier this season but has picked up steam in recent weeks. It put up 51 against LSU and racked up 63 on a Kentucky team that was holding opponents to 11.8 points each game prior to last week. Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps have taken a lot of pressure off Percy Harvin and have established themselves as two more dangerous weapons for Tim Tebow to give the ball to. Louis Murphy has also been a viable option Tebow has thrown to this season. However, this may be one game where Florida misses injured tight end Cornelius Ingram, who tore his ACL in the preseason.

EDGE: GEORGIA

Over the last two seasons, Georgia has played Florida as well as anyone in the nation defensively. This year, linebacker Rennie Curran is one of the best at tackling in the open field and Darryl Gamble has become a big-time player. This edge is very slight, but it’s because of Florida’s lack of having a between-the-tackles runner. Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey might have world class speed, but football is a game of angles. Rennie Curran takes excellent angles.

GEORGIA SPECIAL TEAMS

Though Blair Walsh missed a 55-yard field goal against LSU, it was striking to see the confidence Georgia’s sideline had when making the decision to run him onto the field. Walsh’s leg may get a chance to kick a few needed big field goals. Prince Miller is waiting for another chance to break open a big punt. He had a few fair catches against LSU since the Tigers’ coverage unit was beating Georgia’s return team downfield. If Miller can get some time on a few punt returns, he may provide Georgia good field position. In the punting game, Brian Mimbs will need to keep the ball away from Florida’s Brandon James.

FLORIDA SPECIAL TEAMS

Brandon James is one of the best punt returners in the country, having already returned two punts for touchdowns. Last year, Georgia did a good job kicking away from him but if he gets a chance in space, look out. James has also excelled on kick returns, averaging 28.8 yards per return. Florida’s punt block team got a lot of practice against Kentucky, blocking three punts. The Gators may not get to Georgia punter Brian Mimbs as much, thanks to Georgia’s punt protection unit.

EDGE: EVEN

Speed is Florida’s specialty and the Gators have lots of it on special teams with Brandon James returning kicks and punts. Georgia’s kickoff coverage continues to be shaky so Florida may have many chances to start off in good field position. However, Mimbs has been consistent all season and he will be the difference. Georgia is No. 1 in the SEC in net punting at 38.4 yards per kick.

GEORGIA INTANGIBLES

Everyone knows it: Georgia’s SEC Championship hopes lie in this game. Georgia, which beat Florida 42-30 last year, saw its own regional media pick the Gators over Georgia at SEC Media Days. Now’s the time for Georgia prove to the Southeast newspapers, radio shows and television stations that it is the best team in the conference. A win here does wonders in terms of the outsiders’ outlook.

FLORIDA INTANGIBLES

Florida coach Urban Meyer issued a gag order on his players earlier this week so they wouldn’t talk about the now infamous celebration that took place in last year’s game. Florida’s players are still fuming over it and Meyer said one of the most laughable third-person quotes in recent memory to author Buddy Martin, who wrote a book on the Florida coach. Regardless of how Meyer refers to himself, the Gators are angry and want revenge.

EDGE: EVEN

Take both intangible breakdowns, cut them out and rip them apart (as if you already don’t with the rest of this piece). This is Georgia-Florida. This is the SEC’s second-best rivalry game behind the Iron Bowl, and possibly the most underrated rivalry nationally. This rivalry is based on streaks and it might be time that Georgia starts a streak of its own. But then again, Urban Meyer is also a great coach with a national championship.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN:

One student wrote in this week and said The Red & Black would be more relevant if I picked Georgia to win by 20 touchdowns no matter who Georgia was playing. I could pick Georgia to win 140-0 but that would be just as dumb as the moment that student typed those words on his computer. This game will be close with both offenses putting up some big numbers. But in the end, Georgia’s secondary makes a few plays to stall drives while Florida’s secondary gives up one too many big plays. Georgia wins.