Position-by-position edge: Florida vs. Georgia
One of college football’s great rivalries will take place on Saturday when Florida and Georgia renew their annual battle in Jacksonville at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
Both teams are coming off of bye weeks and seemingly headed in different directions. The Gators are at 5-1 and currently in first place in the SEC East, while the Bulldogs are 4-3 in Kirby Smart’s first season and just dropped a game to Vanderbilt during homecoming.
For the first time in 15 years, Georgia will have a new coach on the sideline. Smart has his work cut out for him, however, as this is another formidable Florida squad.
Let’s see how these teams stack up.
When Florida has the ball
QB Luke Del Rio vs. Georgia pass defense: The bye week came at just the right time for Luke Del Rio. After suffering a knee injury in Week 3, Del Rio returned to action in Week 7 but struggled in his first game back. Against a porous Missouri defense, Del Rio threw three interceptions and only one touchdown pass.
It’s safe to say that the transfer quarterback is healthier and ready to get back on track against a Georgia pass defense that has been taken advantage of this season. If Del Rio returns to his pre-injury form when he threw for 762 yards with 6 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions, he should have success.
Georgia has a veteran secondary, but they have struggled against the better quarterbacks they’ve faced. Drew Lock, Chad Kelly and Joshua Dobbs all found gaps in the secondary and were able to take advantage. Georgia is ranked ninth in the SEC in pass defense, allowing nearly 230 yards per game, and Del Rio should have time to throw the ball as the Bulldogs have only 14 sacks this season.
Edge: Florida
UF RBs vs. Georgia run defense: Florida’s running back committee has seen its share of ups and downs this season. After finding little running room against Tennessee and Vanderbilt, the Gators’ rushing attack enjoyed a 287-yard outing against Missouri.
Sophomore Jordan Scarlett is the team’s leading rusher with 375 yards and 5 touchdowns, but freshman Lamical Perine (300 yards and a touchdown) and junior Mark Thompson (262 yards and 2 touchdowns) have been effective as well. Florida is ranked ninth in the SEC with an average of 181.8 rushing yards per game.
The Gators will face a Georgia defense that has become very good at defending the run. Defensive tackle Trenton Thompson (below) is a dynamic player on the line, and sophomore linebacker Natrez Patrick and Roquan Smith flow to the football very well. The Bulldogs are third in the SEC in run defense, allowing 111.1 yards per game.
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Edge: Georgia
UF WRs vs. Georgia secondary: This is an interesting matchup for both teams. While Georgia has struggled to defend against the pass, most of the damage has come against taller, physical receivers. Antonio Callaway and Brandon Powell are both under 6-feet tall, so there won’t be any size advantage for the offense.
Dominick Sanders and Quincy Mauger form a talented safety duo and have combined for three interceptions, but the Bulldogs’ cornerbacks have been beaten at times. Most of the damage done against Georgia’s secondary has come on deep throws to tall receivers.
The Gators have been searching for a way to create explosive plays on offense, and that is the most effective way to attack the Bulldogs’ secondary. If Florida can push the ball down the field, it can have success. If not, then Georgia is quick enough to keep the Gators’ receivers at bay.
Edge: Push
When Georgia has the ball
QB Jacob Eason vs. Florida pass defense: Eason has had flashes of brilliance in a freshman season where he’s shown progress and inconsistency. He relies too often on throwing the ball deep and has yet to show proper touch on the short to intermediate routes. Still, the raw talent is there and Eason has a bright future ahead.
Against Florida’s pass defense, however, the future is about as bright as the bottom of that pit in “300.“ The Gators are currently second in the country in pass defense, allowing an average of 132.8 yards per game. They have arguably the best defensive back duo in Jalen “Teez” Tabor and Quincy Wilson and have held opposing quarterbacks to an incredible 37.9 completion percentage.
Eason’s natural tendency is to take shots down the field, which plays exactly into the hands of these veteran defenders. Unless Georgia’s coaching staff has a great gameplan that Eason executes well out of the bye week, this looks like a clear mismatch.
Edge: Florida
RB Nick Chubb & Co. Vs. Florida run defense: Florida’s run defense is still among the best in the country, but this is a much friendlier matchup for Georgia. Nick Chubb showed a nice burst against South Carolina and is coming off of a much-needed bye week, so he should be as close to 100 percent as he can possibly be.
Like the Gators, the Bulldogs have a trio of running backs who are capable of making an impact. Sony Michel is very much a 1B to Chubb and freshman Brian Herrien is an electric runner who has been effective this season. Georgia is averaging just under 200 yards on the ground per game.
The Bulldogs’ running backs are as talented as they come, but it’s the offensive line that will determine this matchup. After making steady progress this season, the line struggled to create running lanes against Vanderbilt. Things won’t be any easier against a stout Florida front that is allowing 119.2 yards per game.
Edge: Push
UGA WRs vs. Florida secondary: As mentioned above, Florida’s defensive backs have been exceptional at shutting down opposing passing attacks. The Gators are among the best on-ball defenders in the country and have an SEC-leading 10 interceptions.
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Georgia’s wide receiver corps is still a work in progress. Isaiah McKenzie is an adept route-runner and a mismatch for most, but he’s not a pure receiver and better utilized in the slot. Terry Godwin and Riley Ridley have the ability to make plays, but they aren’t as experienced as the Gators’ defenders and haven’t developed great chemistry with Eason yet. Tight end Isaac Nauta might be the Bulldogs’ best option, but he can only do so much.
Edge: Florida
Special teams
There has been plenty of discussion about Georgia’s special teams problems this season. It was a major factor in the Bulldogs’ loss to Vanderbilt and something Kirby Smart talked a lot about heading into the bye week. Florida had its own problems with special teams last season, but it has been a much-improved area this year.
Kicker Eddy Piñeiro has been a great addition for a Gators team that struggled mightily with field goals in 2015. He has a strong leg that gives Florida’s coaching staff plenty of options past midfield, and he’s been fairly accurate this year. Georgia doesn’t have anything similar. Rodrigo Blankenship was a nice positive against Vanderbilt, converting all three of his field goal attempts, but that’s the only time this season that field goal kicking wasn’t a problem for the Bulldogs.
Georgia’s coverage units are something to watch on Saturday. The Bulldogs have not been able to limit big returns this season and have struggled with lane integrity. Against a dynamic returner like Callaway, that could end up costing Georgia some points if he finds a lane.
Edge: Florida
