Published October 27, 2012 - 7:47pm
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Here’s a couple quick thoughts on Georgia’s victory over Florida.
What it means: Georgia (7-1, 5-1) now controls its own destiny in the SEC East with two conference games remaining, while Florida (7-1, 6-1) has to hope that Ole Miss can somehow upset the Bulldogs next weekend in Athens. Georgia came out clearly much more physical on defense and hit Florida in the mouth early. The Gators never could mount any answer on offense. This marks the first time Georgia has beaten Florida two times in a row since 1988-’89.
What I liked: I loved the intensity that Georgia came out with on defense and special teams. After struggling the last two games against South Carolina and Kentucky, the defense put up a statement against Florida in the first half. The Georgia running game responded, too, with 124 yards rushing and one touchdown.
Even though Aaron Murray struggled mightily throughout the game, credit him for holding it together and making the big offensive play when he needed to. Georgia never lost faith in Murray, and they went to the short passing game in the fourth quarter.
What I didn’t like: This may have been one of the toughest football games to watch. Both teams combined for nine turnovers and 24 penalties for 227 yards. It sure didn’t look like two top ten teams going to work in Jacksonville. It was tough to watch throughout the entire game.
Who’s the man: The best player on the field for either offense was Georgia running back Todd Gurley. Gurley had 26 carries for 119 yards and one touchdown, and it seemed he kept getting yards after contact on every carry. He was quite the player today and one of the few bright spots.
Key play: There were two key plays of the game. The biggest play of the game was no doubt Georgia wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell’s 45-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter to put the Bulldogs up eight points. Three different Florida players missed tackles on the play. The second biggest play was Jordan Reed’s fumble at the three-yard line as Florida was driving at the end of the game looking for a tie. And who else but Jarvis Jones would cause the game-winning strip near the goal line? He was a beast again today, by all accounts.
What’s next: Georgia now has an SEC Championship on the brain as they control their own destiny and host Ole Miss next weekend in Athens, while Florida returns to SEC play against Missouri in The Swamp. Ole Miss won earlier today against Arkansas, and the Rebels are night and day better than last season. Now, all Gators will become Rebel fans next weekend hoping for an upset. Georgia, however, looks Atlanta bound at the moment. This is a great win for Mark Richt and a momentum builder after getting torched by South Carolina three weeks ago. Credit Richt and his staff.
Enjoy your night Florida fans. GO DAWGS!
What an odd game. Neither team really deserved to win, but Florida sure didn’t deserve to win. The Jordan Reed fumble right outside the end zone to secure the win was just fitting. Jarvis Jones was unreal. Aaron Murray kept his wit and played well late. Florida lost the game by trying to do too much on several key plays that ended up being turnovers. Good win for the Dawgs.
I had already felt both teams were a little overrated, but it was fun watching UF get here. Watching this game made me wish I had invested some time in the Vandy – UMASS game.
It wasn’t pretty but I’ll take it. Georgia was amped up ready to play. Other than Aaron Murray’s first half interceptions, Georgia played well.
Wasn’t pretty but a win in Jax is oh so beautiful :>)
I’m here to eat crow. 6 TO’s. All that talk about Florida all week about “violators”. Florida was the violators today. No way we deserved to win that game…or really be in it. Hats off to Georgia. Huge win for them and Mark Richt…I hope he signs an extension.
to be honest, we played very poor as well. this game could of gone either way if it wasnt for the late turnover. good game, see ya next year.
Great win for the Dawgs! Jarvis Jones is a Manimal!
Yeah, great game for Mr. Jones. He was nearly the only thing worth watching, though.
Both teams played piss poor but Georgia just happened to play a little better/made big plays when they needed it.
Remember that movie “Big” with Tom Hanks? You know, the kid (about 13, I think) wishes to be big and then wakes up with an adult body the next morning (but is still 13 in his head)? Well, watching this game made me realize what would happen if at least 22 prepubescent boys had the exact same thing happen to them at the same time. This was one of the ugliest games I have ever watched, and each team only had one real drive. Since most of the points were scored on turnovers, this should have been 7-7 after regulation (UGA’s offense scored once, and UF fumbled on the 2 on their only real drive). At least the defenses showed up. After watching this game, I think that the SEC West almost already has the SECCG sewed up (unless LSU can upset Bama). Yeah – a win is a win, but this was beyond ugly. This wasn’t about who won, it was about who could suck just a little less than the other guy….
I fail to see how it should have been 7-7? Florida never got into the end zone at all. It may have been ugly but Im going to go out on a limb and say that you yourself have never played in a game as big as that or felt the type of emotions those guys were feeling. Read my post above you, I even said they both played piss poor but I was amped up just watching the game from home. All I have under my belt is some highschool football and I know that I have no idea how hyped up I would be if I was playing in Jax against the #2 team in the nation who has beaten a better listing of teams than your marvelous tide have. The Florida/Georgia game is huge and we will find out a lot more about the Tide in the next two weeks.
My point was that both teams only had one good drive on offense. UGA scored a touchdown on theirs, and UF fumbled inside the 5 on theirs (with what would have been first and goal). I doubt many people on this site have played in a game as big as this, but I have definitely been in plenty of situations that brought out some seriously highly competitive emotions. My post was not in response to yours, so I fail to see why you would even put this here. In addition, I said zero about Bama in my post, but I agree – we will find out what they’re really all about in the next few weeks. My post was really more to question how these two teams could play SO badly when they were both top-10 before the start of the game. Neither team (barring the exceptional Jarvis Jones) played like top-10.
I didnt think you replied to my post. It would show up differently if you had lol. I was just saying that about my post that even Georgia/Florida fans alike should be able to admit that it was poor performance. I was simply saying that it was an extremely emotional game and I think that definitely had to do with some of the errors that resulted in the game.
Barring just Jarvis Jones? So I guess Todd Gurley just was sub-par as well? And the other 4 TOs not from Jarivs…psh. Georgia’s defense as a whole was amazing. Our run game came alive and Murray was not nearly as bad as he will be made out to be.
Both defenses played very well. Gurley played well for Georgia. Both teams offensively played awful for much of the game. Florida turned it over more than Georgia and that was the difference. Neither team was impressive, but Georgia deserved to win the game. Georgia should go on to win the east, but I’m not sure it’s going to matter. I don’t think anyone can stop Alabama.
Kevin- I really think it depends on what happens with Bama in the next two weeks. Do I think they are the best team in the nation? Whole heartedly. I think the SEC is by far and away the best conference in all of College Football and I think our top 5 could take on most of the other conferences and come away with a win. If Alabama beats LSU and TAMU convincingly then I will believe in them even more. However look at the east. SCar throttled UGA, Florida throttled SCar, and then Georgia came back to beat Florida. You cant take any saturday for granted and I think if the guys in Athens come ready to play up until the SECCG then Bama will have a ball game on their hands. Do I think Georgia has a shot? Absolutely because I believe any thing is possible on any given saturday and I think some of the Alabama fans forget that.