Billy Napier is getting his first dose of the rivalry with Georgia, and he shared what it means to the Florida players.

“I do believe there’s respect,” Napier said on the SEC coaches media teleconference. “… These guys are at the University of Florida for a reason. Playing in the SEC, playing in these types of games, it presents a great challenge and great opportunity. They know what’s required.”

Napier is familiar with Stetson Bennett from recruiting him when he coached at Louisiana.

“I thought he had a really good skill set,” Napier said. “A very, very productive player in high school. He’s a winner. And he had a chip on his shoulder I respected. … His confidence level comes as a result of a lot of hard work. He’s proven to be an effective player and I’m proud of him for it.”

Georgia’s won 4 of the last 5 games in the rivalry, including last year’s 34-7 decision. The Bulldogs opened as a 22-point betting line favorite this week, the largest spread in decades in the rivalry.

The game is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on the “SEC on CBS” from Jacksonville.