Georgia-Florida Preview

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Kyle Gilbert Leave a comment

(Photo: ugawire.com)

The Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is set to be renewed once again in Jacksonville this weekend, although the implications are not as high as they were last year. Florida has already lost three games this season, all in conference, while Georgia is undefeated and would have to lose at least two games in order to not win the SEC East. Even still, this is one of the fiercest rivalries in college football and just ruining Georgia’s possibly historic season is enough motivation to put Georgia on upset alert.

Both teams are coming off much-needed bye weeks, which allowed Florida (4-3, 2-3 SEC) to regroup following their third straight loss to LSU, and allowed Georgia (7-0, 5-0 SEC) to heal up and get some key players back from injury, possibly including its starting quarterback JT Daniels.

The question for both teams this weekend is who will start at quarterback for each team. JT Daniels is seemingly healthy enough to play based on the information that Kirby Smart has given, but does he stick with the hot hand in Stetson Bennett? For Florida, do you continue with the two-quarterback system or do you start Anthony Richardson, who clearly has the higher ceiling?

Stetson Bennett has thrown for 996 yards and 11 touchdowns at a 69.5% clip, while JT Daniels has thrown for 567 yards and 5 touchdowns at a 76% completion percentage. Each has thrown 2 interceptions.

Emory Jones, who has been the starter all year long but shared time with Richardson, has thrown for 1305 yards and 10 touchdowns at a 67.6% completion percentage. Richardson has thrown for 392 yards and 5 touchdowns at 56.7% completion.

We’ll see what happens but I predict that we will see all four QBs at some point in this game.

CHOOT ‘EM pic.twitter.com/Hk26j4arNQ

— UGA Football Equip (@UGAFBEquipment) October 27, 2021

Keys to the Game

The key for Florida will be limiting the pressure of the Georgia front and getting some sort of running game going. Georgia’s defense is only allowing 63 rushing yards while Florida is averaging over 250 rushing yards per game.

Another key for the Gators will be not allowing Georgia to slowly drive down the field with its stable of running backs mixed with intermediate passing. If Georgia can slowly eat clock and move down the field, it won’t give the offense enough time or momentum to keep up.

The key for Georgia will be not allowing Florida to get explosive plays down the field. We’ve seen times where the Bulldog’s secondary has been exposed but covered by the sheer might of the pass rush.