Even if Brantley starts for the Gators, Georgia’s still favored
Yes, here's that picture of John Brantley again. No, I couldn't find a better one. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
The Vegas folks waited a while before posting a line on Georgia-Florida because they wanted to see if Florida quarterback John Brantley is apt to play. On Monday, the Gators classified Brantley as “probable.” And Georgia has been made a three-point favorite.
Which makes you wonder: If Brantley had been listed as “doubtful” or even “questionable,” would Georgia be a seven-point favorite?
There’s no doubt Brantley makes some difference for the Gators. Florida was 4-0 and had taken an early lead on Alabama — which admittedly didn’t last long — the night he suffered his “lower leg” injury. They’ve scored a total of 17 points in two games since.
Brantley has been better under Charlie Weis than he was last season. Had he thrown enough passes to qualify, he’d be second in the SEC in passer-efficiency rating behind Jarrett Lee of LSU. (Brantley’s at 152.6; Georgia’s Aaron Murray is at 150.3.) But I don’t know that Brantley is a Tebow or a Wuerffel or even a Kerwin Bell or a Rex Grossman. He’s a good college quarterback. His presence will give Florida a fighting chance. That said …
Alec Ogletree will return at linebacker for Georgia. That’s a pretty big deal in itself.
Oh, and if you care to chart an intriguing bit of line movement, watch what’s happening with Georgia Tech and Clemson. The Tigers opened as a 4 1/2-point road favorite. They’re now favored by 3 1/2 points, which means: Some speculators out there like the Jackets’ chances.
By Mark Bradley
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304 comments Add your comment
Uncle Jermima
October 26th, 2011
12:57 pm
I’m sure these things will happen…
1)Richt will mismanage the clock and waste timeouts as usual
2)Walsh will miss 2 important field goals that will be the difference in the game
3)Florida will have several trick plays that work (fake punt,fake spike,on-sides kick,etc.). They always work against UGA.
4)Richt will look like my grandma on the sideline with no fire at all.
5)Muschamp will be the only Dawg that wins Saturday…
OkieDawg
October 26th, 2011
12:58 pm
82dawg
http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20111025/ARTICLES/111029748?tc=cr
ga gator
October 26th, 2011
1:00 pm
Late Okie.
Uncle Jermima
October 26th, 2011
1:02 pm
Mark, just because line went from 41/2 down to 31/2 don’t mean bettors like Tech to win. They just like Clemson to win by only a field goal…
OkieDawg
October 26th, 2011
1:02 pm
Story of my life, ga gator
JT Dawg
October 26th, 2011
1:02 pm
HT,
Chris Peterson had his team on NCAA probation. Do you really want that baggage?
JTDawg
Uncle Jermima
October 26th, 2011
1:02 pm
4.5 & 3.5 I meant.
Divided Apartment
October 26th, 2011
1:05 pm
My wife wants Florida to win so I’ll be mad and go cut the grass instead of watch football games all day. I want UGA to win so i can gloat and be a couch tater. Divided house indeed !
St Simons - we're on Island time
October 26th, 2011
1:05 pm
If we don’t win it will be because of a reptile dysfunction
Really, not an unhappy face down here.
Win or lose, something good is going to come of it.
Hey! git off my lawn! speed limit’s 25. grrrr
Truth Slayer
October 26th, 2011
1:06 pm
Yeah & Airtran charges extra for that kind of carry-on baggage…
BOBBY
October 26th, 2011
1:08 pm
FOR UGA TO WIN, ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS COME OUT WITH THE SAME GAME PLAN THAT THEY DID IN 2007 WHEN THEY BEAT FLORIDA IF THEY DO THAT AND EXCUTE THAT GAME PLAN THEY WILL HAVE A COMFORTABLE WIN IT’S SIMPLE AS THAT.
Mary
October 26th, 2011
1:10 pm
If you were my husband you’d mow grass whether UGA won or lost boy.
Divided Apartment
October 26th, 2011
1:12 pm
Yep, there’s 3 things I said I’d never marry. 1)A prostitute 2)A fat lady
3)A woman named Mary
GTBob
October 26th, 2011
1:12 pm
most of the money (88%)is being bet on Clemson
Where did you get this 88% number from?
roughrider
October 26th, 2011
1:13 pm
I believe Clemson will win by 10 or more.
dean
October 26th, 2011
1:14 pm
I disagree with my namesake “D”ean @ 1227.
Dawgs win 34-17.
I hope.
S. Georgia Gator
October 26th, 2011
1:22 pm
Grantham will bite the head off of a live chicken at the end of his pregame pep talk.
fayncdawg
October 26th, 2011
1:29 pm
sggator:
Or maybe a live little gator!
Mary
October 26th, 2011
1:29 pm
Divided apartment, ‘m a fat prostitute named Mary, and you’re gonna mow my grass boy!
P BUbba
October 26th, 2011
1:34 pm
Hey gators,hows that Musschump Hire going?
Josh Smith for 3
October 26th, 2011
1:35 pm
As big of a UGA fan as I am, UGA should not be favored to win. I’d even go as far to say until UGA wins two in a row against Florida that the words “favored” and “Georgia” should never be seen together with regards to this game. If the Dawgs don’t stumble over themselves, they’ll have a great chance of winning.
Herschel Talker
October 26th, 2011
1:36 pm
JT Dawg:
No I don’t want Peterson. I was just giving an example of a better coach. The reason I don’t want him is separate from his coaching ability. I would take Gary Patterson, for sure.
HT
Ike
October 26th, 2011
1:36 pm
the second worst day in history is when women got the right to vote
Biff Pocoroba Fan Club
October 26th, 2011
1:37 pm
All of you bozos who are screaming for Richt’s head, when UGA wins on Saturday, are you still going to be calling for him to be run out of town?
How about after UGA beats Auburn?
How about after UGA beats Tech?
Divided Apartment
October 26th, 2011
1:37 pm
How bout I just drop you off at an all you can eat Chinese Buffet and we can call it a day Mary ?
Hershal Talker
October 26th, 2011
1:38 pm
Im a freakin idiot
Divided Apartment
October 26th, 2011
1:38 pm
What was the 1st worst day Ike ?
DawgInaTruck
October 26th, 2011
1:38 pm
Mary, you got my attention. Whats in it for the boy if he mows the grass?
Divided Apartment
October 26th, 2011
1:40 pm
I think Clemson clocks Tech 38-17
DawgInaTruck
October 26th, 2011
1:40 pm
HT I’m not sure about Patterson. TCU made their big splash but has regressed big time. If we are going to make a change (and trust me, we aren’t) we at least need to get someone who has proved the ability to sustain excellence.
Ike
October 26th, 2011
1:41 pm
when Tina left
Mary
October 26th, 2011
1:41 pm
Well, he gets to sleep inside the house on the couch and not in Rover’s doghouse…
witness
October 26th, 2011
1:42 pm
With Brantley back it gives FL the stability and playing experience at QB position. Makes Weises job a lot easier at calling plays he’s comfortable calling. It definitely gives them the scoring power they have missed while he was out. Probably lifts the rest of the teams spirits as well. Their speed on both sides of the ball, especially at RB, worries a lot of us considering the dawgs have problems stopping good running nteams. This will be a huge challenge to TG and the dawgs D. One thing for sure, they have to be able to pressure Brantley w/down linemen when he drops back to pass. The LB’s will be needed to cover any screens to FL’s speed demons.
I don’t care what FL’s record is they’re still FL and GA has been prone to playing only half a game before they seemingly find ways to allow their opposition back in the game and keep it close. Against a talented FL team this trend could spell disaster for the dawgs. I have no clue who is going to win but just hope its the dawgs.
Divided House
October 26th, 2011
1:42 pm
Did you give her another black eye for the road Ike ?
Gators
October 26th, 2011
1:44 pm
That hires going well. We expected to be down this year. How’s that Richt hire going at UGA ? You expect to be down every year now ?
DawgInaTruck
October 26th, 2011
1:46 pm
C’mon Mar’, you can do better than that. Up the ante-make it interesting. Show us your “imagination”.
Divided House
October 26th, 2011
1:46 pm
Somehow I knew Mary was a combination of the three…
Flat Broke in Duluth
October 26th, 2011
1:46 pm
Mary reminds me of my 3rd wife.
Mary
October 26th, 2011
1:47 pm
Okay. He will get the cuffs,chains,whips,buckshot. All the kinky stuff.
Ike
October 26th, 2011
1:48 pm
i gave her a black eye and a fat lip
Divided House
October 26th, 2011
1:49 pm
You can scrub Fat till year 3,000 and it won’t be kinky Mary.
Bubba
October 26th, 2011
1:50 pm
Mary is one of those women that all of a sudden looks better at closing time.
LOL!
October 26th, 2011
1:50 pm
Poor ole Techies. Last in the league in Grad rates and will finish last in the state and last in ACC in football.
Mac Sir Daddy-O
October 26th, 2011
1:52 pm
Dis be scrate ups diss jive jams. U no dem Gaters gunna kilt dem Dawg ! It gunna be a reruns jus likes erry year ! Yo daddy saids so.
LOL!
October 26th, 2011
1:52 pm
Dawgs quit worrying about who is starting for UF and just play! We win if we play and go for the jugular if we get a chance. Tired of this sitting on a lead crap! Beat the HELL out of them!
Mickey Gilley
October 26th, 2011
1:53 pm
the girls all get prettier at closing time
DawgInaTruck
October 26th, 2011
1:55 pm
Mary I don’t think Divided is interested yet. Looks like you got a way to go ‘gal’.
the toughest man in georgia
October 26th, 2011
1:55 pm
Al Golden will be the next head coach in Athens…write it down.
Dontavius Supremo
October 26th, 2011
1:56 pm
As much as it pains me to say it, Florida wins by 7; take it to the bank. No way the Gators lose four in a row.
Divided House
October 26th, 2011
1:57 pm
I’m infinitely disinterested in Mary…