Georgia-Florida preview: Dogs 3-17 in past 20 meetings but favored in this one
(Note: Please join the conversation on Jeff Schultz’s live blog during the game.)
Georgia vs. Florida at a glance:
3 storylines
- 1. Two unranked teams streaking in different directions. For the first time since 1979 –- the year before Herschel Walker showed up in Athens — Georgia and Florida will meet with neither team ranked in the national polls. And yet, in this crazy SEC East season, the winner of the game between the Bulldogs (4-4, 3-3 SEC) and Gators (4-3, 2-3) will remain in contention for a berth in the SEC title game. Georgia is 3-17 vs. the Gators in the past two decades and 2-7 under coach Mark Richt, so Bulldog Nation descends on Jacksonville with wariness, despite the Dogs bringing a three-game winning streak and the Gators a three-game losing streak into the game.
- 2. Washaun Ealey’s status. Ealey had a career game last week, running 28 times for 157 yards and a UGA-record five touchdowns at Kentucky. But, typical of how things have gone with Georgia’s running backs this season, he injured his right knee (sprained MCL) in the fourth quarter. He has been limited in practice this week, and although Richt has said he expects the knee to improve by game time and Ealey to play, the situation bears watching. Caleb King’s return from a two-game suspension could be well-timed.
- 3. Watch the turnovers. In the past two Georgia-Florida games, the Bulldogs committed eight turnovers (four in each game) and the Gators none. That helps explain why Florida won those games by a combined score of 90-27. This season, the Bulldogs are plus-7 in turnover margin, a drastic improvement from last year’s minus-16. And on its current three-game winning streak, Georgia has won the turnover battle by a combined 9-1, the one turnover being a ricochet of an onside kick by Kentucky. The Bulldogs cannot afford a turnover relapse in Jacksonville.
A Georgia win would …
- Force the Bulldogs to pull for Arkansas to beat South Carolina on Nov. 6 and Florida to beat South Carolina on Nov. 13, because Gamecocks losses in those games could send Georgia to the SEC title game.
- Be the Bulldogs’ fourth consecutive SEC victory, which would be their longest single-season SEC win streak since 2007.
A Florida win would …
- Put the Gators in position to clinch the SEC East title by beating Vanderbilt on Nov. 6 and South Carolina on Nov. 13.
- End the Gators’ longest regular-season losing streak since 1988 at three games.
Keep an eye on …
- For Florida: Junior running back Jeff Demps, who won the 2010 NCAA championship in the 100-meter dash with a blazing time of 9.96 seconds, has been slowed by a sprained foot since the third game of the season. But he benefited from an open date last week and is expected to be at or near 100 percent. He has averaged 7.3 yards per touch as a running back in his career, tied for No. 1 in the nation among active RBs with at least 250 touches. In addition, Demps has averaged 32.5 yards on eight kickoff returns this season.
- For Georgia: Wide receiver A.J. Green almost surely will have to make some big plays for the Bulldogs to win. In the game’s most compelling individual matchup, he figures to be primarily defended by Gators cornerback Janoris Jenkins, perhaps the SEC’s best corner other than LSU’s Patrick Peterson.
The numbers game
- 14-4: Florida’s all-time record vs. Georgia when the Gators have a bye week before the game, as they did again this time.
- 117.9: Florida quarterback John Brantley’s pass efficiency rating, which ranks 10th among SEC starting quarterbacks and well behind Murray’s 157.
- 42.2: Third-down conversion percentage by Georgia opponents this season, the highest against any defense in the SEC.
History book
- Last meeting: Florida won 41-17 last year as Georgia threw four interceptions and committed nine penalties for 87 yards.
- Series record: Georgia leads 47-39-2, including 40-37-1 in Jacksonville.
The bottom line
Despite the Gators’ recent domination of the Dogs, Vegas has Georgia as a 2 1/2-point favorite. Proving, if nothing else, that a three-game winning streak is more attractive than a three-game losing streak.
Please join the conversation on Jeff Schultz’s live blog during the game.
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113 comments Add your comment
gdawginkalamazoo
October 29th, 2010
1:53 pm
I will start the game with a “Coke and a Smile” 12oz Coca-Cola,
4 oz Crown Royal and just enough ice to keep it cool for a few minutes.
Then repeat.
Miserable in Dogtown
October 29th, 2010
2:12 pm
Dawglasville, no you will just be on this blog bragging about something you have no control over. Typical humping hypocrit
uga's girl
October 29th, 2010
2:19 pm
oh yeah!!!! then you get to end the game with an even bigger smile tomorrow! DAWGS WIN! DAWGS WIN!!!
gdawginkalamazoo
October 29th, 2010
2:22 pm
That or a face plant in a burning pile of leaves!
uga's girl
October 29th, 2010
2:24 pm
either way…..good times, good times. ha!
They'll be cryin' in their red panties
October 29th, 2010
2:36 pm
Gators win…..BIG
EricADawgFan
October 29th, 2010
2:42 pm
REMEMBER LAST YEAR? THIS IS YOUR TIME TO GIVE PAYBACK TO COACH MEYER AND THE FLORIDA GATORS. RUN THE NUMBERS UP ON THEM COACH MARK RICHT … LEAVE NO DOUBT….
DO NOT ALLOW A TOUCH DOWN IN THIS GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
uga's girl
October 29th, 2010
2:54 pm
i’ll be crying in my red panties because we defeated the gayturds!!! a red bra too!
Fan_01
October 29th, 2010
3:06 pm
FROM THE AJC: St. Simons warns UGA fans. Thousands of UGA students and other Bulldogs fans will be partying until dark. What they leave behind won’t be pretty. In 2008, cleanup crews removed 10.4 tons of trash. Last year, 9.9 tons were removed.
There’s a reason why UGA is known as The Cesspool of the South.
Dawg_Mike
October 29th, 2010
3:17 pm
How many of you will be in Jax ??
Billo
October 29th, 2010
3:23 pm
Fan_01 = DOUCHE
ct
October 29th, 2010
3:27 pm
who cares who wins this garbage game…both teams stink…
Dawglasville
October 29th, 2010
3:35 pm
Miserable in Dogtown No, I won’t. My blog would start with, “I’m happy for…,” or “Great game by…”. I don’t get on the blogs to try and make people feel bad. I also don’t get on blogs and pound my chest. I would have done that when I was 16 – 20, not so much now that I know there is a lot more to life than bragging rights. I hope that you are not truly “miserable in Dogtown” and go Dawgs.
76-DAWG
October 29th, 2010
4:06 pm
Stop complaining ST. Simon , it’s your on fault. You can do something about the littering you just choose not to.
As far as Florida’s record over the last 20 years , It’s not very surprising. Bobo has used the same game plan every year since he has been at Georgia. And Florida has to. Why change when it works every year. And Bobo can’t accept that his genius game plan want work.
If Florida gets ahead and UGA runs the ball , unless they are matching Fla. touchdown for touchdown, UGA better start throwing on every play or they will help Florida run out the clock.
Otis My Man
October 29th, 2010
4:06 pm
GA wins if Murray doesnt underthrow AJ– Put it high to AJ and he will catch it!
joey
October 29th, 2010
4:20 pm
To heck with the record, to heck with “setting goals”. Lets just go down there and have some fun! No pressure, play loose, and take’em to the wood shed! Go Dawgs!!!!!!GATA
kydawg
October 29th, 2010
4:25 pm
I hope Murray has figured out the slide technique after he grabs the first down…I think Florida will try to “tee off” on him (cheap shot)given the opportunity. Oh wait…Spikes is gone…never mind!
AGTFAN53
October 29th, 2010
4:34 pm
Good Luck DAWGS! I usually pull for you when you’re not playing GT. Sometimes I have trouble pulling for you, but I ALWAYS pull for you again the Gators. GoDAWGS!
ol'seadawg
October 29th, 2010
5:34 pm
I must say AGTFAN53m I root for Tech too, when it’s not against the dawgs. Sort of like FSU too or anybody really against Florida! Go Dawgs!!!
Bob
October 29th, 2010
6:03 pm
Go Georgia make it 4 wins out of the last 21 tries against Florida. Who would have believed this series would have become so one sided for Florida after Georgia dominated during the sixties, seventies and eighties……It just goes to show you what a fickle sport college football really is! I do know one thing, if UGA loses there is going to be a lot of talk about moving this game on Campus. And I say it is about time!
RMikel58
October 29th, 2010
8:54 pm
This is a “Statement Game” for Georgia. Losing 41-17 last year was demoralizing to watch and its my hopes that you’ll remember that and return the favor this year. This will be the best year for Georgia to beat Florida despite that though Florida does not want to lose 4 in a row and especially to Georgia.
It will come down to fundamental football and turnovers which we had 4 turnovers last year which fueled Florida. Florida had 210 yds. rushing 164 passing. We gotta stop the run and pressure the QB.
Our Defense has gotta come alive and be relentless like they have the past games. No cheap shots, No stupid penalties and No turnovers!
We had 9 penalties for 87 yds. to their 6 penalties for 49 yds. We were 4-12 on 3rd downs. We have got to establish the run early and then pass on 2nd down to our tight ends and use A.J. Green more but not exclusively because we have a group of great recievers or dump to the backs.
Florida will blitz more often than not to take pressure off their corners but a nice screen to our RB’s will keep them off balanced.
Whether it be Ealey or Samuel, they will be a key and hopefully give us shorter downs on 2nd and 3rd. The Offensive line will have to open up holes so those backs can get good gains and eat up clock and wear down their Defense. Again most every game with Florida is dictated by Penalties, Turnovers and EMOTION.
This game is for all the other times that Florida has whipped our butts, laughed at you in the stands, calling you names, this is for your fans, coaches, your state, and your family.
This is a STATEMENT GAME!
RMikel58
October 29th, 2010
9:01 pm
I think Georgia will come out and trip Florida up before half time. Georgia will be up 17-3 by half time but Florida will come back and score 16 in the 3rd. Georgia 20 Florida 16. 4th Quarter Georgias running game takes over and Florida has 2 miscues which leads to 10 pts. Georgia 40 Florida 23.
Big players play great in big games.
RMikel58
October 29th, 2010
9:04 pm
oops Georgia 40 Florida 26
bart
October 29th, 2010
9:16 pm
Meyer has Richt’s number, plus with the off week for Florida, Gators win. I hope I’m wrong.
Delbert D.
October 29th, 2010
9:20 pm
Wastin’ away in St. Simonsville:
“It takes a lot of empty bottles and cans and Styrofoam to make 10 tons,” A.G. “Spud” Woodward, director of the DNR’s Coastal Resources Division, told the AJC. “In an ideal world, every group of students would take the trash bags given to them and police their own areas. You mix recreational beverages and youth and everything together, you don’t get perfection.”
If the bottles, cans and styrofoam weighs 10 tons, how many tons of “recreational beverage” is that?
Go Dawgs!!!
October 29th, 2010
9:32 pm
On Tuesday I don’t care if you yell “Roll Tide, War Eagle, Chomp, Chomp” etc…. We all need to go to the voting booth and cast our vote to stop this run away train that Obama, Pelosi, and Reed have unleashed upon us. We need to send a Loud Message that we are “Mad as Hell and are no gong to take it anymore.” And to all of the new members of Congress that have a “R” next to your name you better not get lazy or we will kick your ass to the curb next election. Just like in sports the best defense is a better offense, come on Republicians lets not mess this up. And Finally Go Dawgs, Beat the Gators.
wildbill
October 29th, 2010
9:37 pm
Dawgs 34 gators 10, sic em!!!!!
Delbert D.
October 29th, 2010
10:16 pm
This is terrible news for SEC fans. The color analyst for ESPN2 of Auburn-Ole Miss is Bob Davie.
TL's Dawgs
October 29th, 2010
10:26 pm
All signs point to this being another win for our Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to see it happen. Gooooo DAWGS Sic um!!!!!!!!!!!!
bigcalidawg
October 29th, 2010
10:33 pm
This is the best time of the year. I just hope I feel this way this time tomorrow.
We really need this one.
That and Go Vols! We need SC to lay a coupla eggs.
TL's Dawgs
October 29th, 2010
10:33 pm
I’m calling for a repeat of ‘07 the talent is there!
King Gator
October 29th, 2010
10:46 pm
Dawgs celebrate TD’s, Gators celebrate SEC and National Championships! Go Gators!
MississippiDawg
October 29th, 2010
10:59 pm
I grew up in Jax and was a young Gator (and Nole) fan while UGA dominated the series…went to UGA in the 80’s and by the grace of GOD became a lifetime DAWG fan (but series now dominated by the HATED GATORS)…used to think I hated Spurrier until he left – now I realize, I am a GATOR HATER for life (more than I’ll ever hate Tech, Auburn or UT)…its is TIME for this series to turn back in our favor…RIcht needs to make this happen (he’s already taken care of Auburn and Tech) if he ever wants to be mentioned in the same context as Vince. .don’t underestimate the importance of this game just b/c the teams are .500 – this game is HUGE for UGA, Richt, Murray and the entire Bulldawg Nation.
ARdawg
October 29th, 2010
11:05 pm
Delbert
That Davie sucks a big one. The king “Captain Obvious”.
Delbert D.
October 29th, 2010
11:09 pm
Numerology Department: If Georgia scores 40, it will be the first time the Dawgs will have scored 40 or more in 4 straight games.
From al.com, SEC Football by the Numbers. Mark Inabinett, 10/29/10
Supervisor
October 29th, 2010
11:11 pm
@Mississippi Dawg
Huge difference between when Dooley coached and now Richt. First, Dooley can’t touch Richt’s winning percentage. Richt’s much higher. 2) Dooley had the benefit of the Gators playing Auburn in a war the week before we played them prior to 1990. We usually had an open week or played vandy when Vandy was really bad. Spurrier changed all that and had the off week moved where it has been 17 of the last 20 years. We have had the open date only 3 times in the last 20 years now. This more than anything else is why the series has changed so drastically. It will stay this way until McGarity has it changed. HUGE DIFFERENCE.
dawggirl
October 30th, 2010
6:45 am
Did Joe Cox really throw 4 interceptions last year? Damn, no wonder we got killed. I have a hard time thinking that Murrary will replicate such atrociousness.
Cardinal Sin
October 30th, 2010
7:32 am
All I know is UGAY SUCKS and FL Rolls over the dawgs and wins the East again in 2010!
Enough Said!
Dave from GT
October 30th, 2010
7:58 am
DAWGS QB gets planted!!! UGA will lose on Nov 27 !
Pero tacos in Athens!
GDAWG65
October 30th, 2010
8:00 am
The Gators are a poor team and the only way for them to win is for the Dawgs to self defeat: penalties and turnovers.
Dagny
October 30th, 2010
8:04 am
Dawg fans should all have your frilly red panties on by now.
The players will put theirs on when they suit up later.
Cuzzzzzzz
October 30th, 2010
8:13 am
UGA thugs lose again today. Just watch those red panties falling from the sky.
Such a nice day for a Gator victory.
Y’all dawg fans pick up your trash on the way out, y’all hear?
optimistic
October 30th, 2010
8:34 am
everyone on here still bashing richt and bobo? face facts people when the players put forth some effort the scheme works fine.thats the problem with most of the fans. bear bryants mentality was ill take my players and beat your players and then take your players and beat my players, because he motivated the players to play hard. what we have seen the last few weeks is a group of players finally buying into a scheme and selling out on the field. Nebraska ran the same damn offense for thirty years and were successful. at some point the players and you fans need to quit making excuses and just play the damn game.thank god the georgia players have figured this out over the last three weeks.maybe instead of looking for a new coaching staff some of you people should just find a new team.
Doug
October 30th, 2010
9:02 am
Dawg fans should be wearing their lucky red panties by now. The flaming red, frilly ones work the best.
But the dawgs still go down bigtime to the mighty Gators.
Delbert D.
October 30th, 2010
10:16 am
“bear bryants mentality was ill”
???
check Up
October 30th, 2010
10:31 am
If GA loses CMR should resign immediately>
Felon on field
October 30th, 2010
10:48 am
No mention of the big story: FL allows felon to play. Funny stuff.
SEC East sucks
October 30th, 2010
2:55 pm
UF, UGA, South Carolina… ALL suck. Whoever wins this division will get thumped by ANY of their big brothers in the SEC West. Here’s a toast to UF… Hope they suck less today.
UGAFAN89
October 30th, 2010
3:08 pm
Dogs lose. Lose big. They are not good this year at all. Feel sorry for AJ Green on a sorry team.
Limp Wristed Bulldog
October 30th, 2010
5:05 pm
It’s a blow out… but then again, I love a good blow!