(Photo: ESPN)
Campus Clash
(1) Georgia Bulldogs at Florida Gators
Georgia: They may not look like the dominant team we saw that won the last two National Titles, but at the end of the day, they have a zero in that loss column and that’s what’s important, right? Let’s admit this. Nakobe Dean, Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter and Stetson Bennett are not walking through that door anytime soon. If you notice anything with college football, the teams with the veterans are the ones that will more than likely come out on top and that’s exactly what they’ve had. Now, you insert a young Quarterback in Carson Beck who’s truly grown up this year and a perfect example of that is the game against Auburn a few weeks back. When he was asked to make a big throw, he delivered and propelled the team to a victory. I will say this. While they may not look as strong as I mentioned up top, this is still the team to take down if you want to get to the mountaintop of the college football universe. The Georgia Bulldogs are looking to three peat which is rare in this sport. Unfortunately, they will have to cruise through the remainder of the regular season without Brock Bowers who injured his ankle against Vanderbilt a few weeks ago and needed to have surgery that will sideline him for approximately 4-6 weeks. Maybe they can get him back before the playoffs, but how effective would he be? That’s the million dollar question right there. When Brock is healthy, this Georgia offense is lethal because he impacts them in so many capacities such as catching the ball on screen passes, running jet sweeps, lined up wide on the perimeter and with the ball in his hands, he is a playmaker. That’s all you can ask for. On Saturday, they’ll make their annual trip to Jacksonville.
Florida: When they last won the SEC East, it was in 2020 with the services of Kyle Trask and Kyle Pitts. Dan Mullen was also the Head Coach at the time. Now, Billy Napier has taken over this program and all they’re looking for is to be relevant once again. I remember those days in Gainesville with Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer and I relived them when I saw the Netflix special on them (which I recommend). Graham Mertz trasnferred to play for the Florida Gators and if his name looks familiar, yes, he’s the former Quarterback of the Wisconsin Badgers. He may have struggled during his time in Madison with the Badgers, but sometimes a change of scenery is needed and with the Gators, Graham has completed over 76 percent of his passes and has thrown 12 touchdown passes with two interceptions. In his last game against South Carolina, he threw for over 400 yards and tossed three touchdowns in the win. One thing that the Gators have done under Billy is be strong in field position. They have been strong on Special Teams, they dominate the Time of Possession and the Offensive Line has been consistent up front. Let Billy continue to recruit and develop this team and who knows what can happen. I think they can be one of the bigger threats to a particular team in the SEC East, but only time will tell. It’s rivalry day for the Gators and they will do battle with the reigning two-time National Champions in Jacksonville.
Georgia X-Factor: Daijun Edwards– The Dawgs have always been known for having strong Running Backs. Daijun has become RB1 for this team. He’s so smooth and runs so effortlessly in space with an effortless ability to make people miss in the open field. Daijun is a patient runner that allows the lanes to open up, then he bursts through. He’s been on the roster of the last two Georgia teams that won the natty, but this year, he’s been the featured back.
Florida X-Factor: Graham Mertz– It’s simple. This team will go as far as Graham will take them. When he’s good, everything clicks for this football team, but when he struggles, it all comes tumbling down. When he gets into that rhythm, Graham is a tough out because he will connect on pass after pass after pass when given time to let plays develop from the pocket. Believe me, Graham will have his time to throw in this one.
Final Thoughts: This is just my third time ever previewing the “World’s Largest Cocktail Party”. This is the one game that both of these universities have circled on their calendars and bragging rights are truly on the line. It’s always a hard hitting and physical football game and I expect the same in this one on Saturday. Graham was my X factor for a reason which I will further explain. The passing game has been clicking and Georgia doesn’t generate much of a pass rush. As I said up top, he will have more than enough time to throw the football down the field on this defense. Georgia has been excellent defensively on third downs and Florida hasn’t. The Dawgs hold opponents to a 24 percent conversion rate which means they really clamp down when it matters most. I always explain that third down is so key because it gives you new opportunities as an offense and keeps your defense well rested along with keeping the opponents defense on the field and their offense off the field. Look for Georgia to establish the running game and exploit a Florida defense that’s struggle to stop the run. Look at the game against Kentucky a few weeks ago. Even without Brock Bowers, I expect Carson Beck to be sharp. The defense will handle its business and force a key takeaway in the second half of the game. Florida’s secondary can be had. We saw that against Vanderbilt and South Carolina a few times. Georgia will prove to be too much once again and I like for them to win their third consecutive game against Florida and sixth win in seven years at the Cocktail Party (though we aren’t supposed to call it that anymore).
Prediction: Georgia 31, Florida 17
