For a minute, it looked like we were in for a classic.

Florida’s offense carved up Georgia on that opening drive. The Gators hadn’t scored an opening-drive touchdown against the Dawgs since 2009.

Unfortunately for Florida, that was the highlight of the day. Fortunately for Georgia, there were many highlights on Saturday.

The Dawgs rolled to a 43-20 victory in Jacksonville to mark the Dawgs’ 25th consecutive win.

Here are 3 takeaways from the beatdown on Saturday afternoon:

1. No Brock Bowers? No problem.

You had to wonder how the Dawgs would respond without the All-American tight end. To be clear, “how” was more important than “if.” Remember, up-and-down start aside, this was Kirby Smart. Like, the guy who had 15 players selected in the NFL Draft from a national championship team, and then turned around and won another ring. “Next man up” is cliché for most. Not for Georgia.

Oscar Delp was excellent in relief of Bowers at the tight end position. He made a miraculous catch on a ball that Carson Beck overthrew early. He had a key block on a Daijun Edwards touchdown, as well.

It wasn’t just about Delp stepping up. Ladd McConkey had his best game since returning from injury, and Mizzou transfer Dominic Lovett also had his best game in a UGA uniform. Beck was calm, cool and collected in his homecoming game.

And that Georgia defense? It did its part after allowing that opening touchdown drive, which marked the first time Smart didn’t score first in a Cocktail Party.

When you score the next 36 points, well, you show that you can exist without 1 player … as great as Bowers is.

2. Billy Napier’s opening script was great, but after that, not so much.

Napier looked like he was in his bag early. Tre Wilson had 4 catches for 62 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive of his first Cocktail Party. Graham Mertz started 9-for-9 and looked totally dialed in.

But right around the time that Napier called for a Trevor Etienne pass on 4th down in his own territory, the wheels fell off (I thought Florida got a raw deal on the spot on the play before that). The ground game was held quiet for nearly the entire day until a late 48-yard run from Montrell Johnson Jr.

The good vibes from the 10-point comeback in the South Carolina win were short-lived. The Gators have a daunting schedule remaining with trips to Mizzou and LSU remaining, as well as the regular-season finale against unbeaten Florida State.

3. This 4-game stretch could still push Georgia to its limit … but that’s an ideal start.

Let’s not pretend that 1 decisive game means that the Dawgs will inevitably get out of the regular season unscathed. This sport is far too crazy to ever assume that, even with the 2-time defending champs. Each of the Dawgs’ next 3 opponents are ranked foes:

  • vs. No. 16 Mizzou
  • vs. 12 Ole Miss
  • at No. 21 Tennessee

There are no style points with the Dawgs’ remaining slate, which has 3 teams who entered the week a combined 18-4. If the Dawgs can get to Atlanta at 12-0, those Playoff conversations will take care of themselves.

But style points certainly weren’t lacking on Saturday.