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The SEC has tried to distance itself from the ‘World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party’ moniker associated with the Georgia-Florida game (because football and alcohol don’t mix with college students). But let’s call it what is — the Eastern Division’s nastiest rivalry played annually in neutral site glory.
Uninterrupted since 1926, this late-season matchup has often dictated which team represents the division in Atlanta over the last two decades. Mizzou’s thrown a wrench in that mystique since joining the fold in 2012, winning games in Gainesville and Athens during consecutive division title runs.
Georgia leads the all-time series with Florida 50-41, but notched most of the wins came during two dominant stretches — 1926-1951 and 1971-1989. When Steve Spurrier arrived at Florida in 1990, the Gators proceeded to make up serious ground, winning 11 times in 12 years.
Most of those wins were decisive for the Head Ball Coach and the Bulldogs’ hate for Darth Visor has only grown stronger in recent years (ask South Carolina).
Georgia-Florida at a glance (since 2005)
- Florida leads 6-4
- Five games decided by 7 points or less
- All 10 contests nationally-televised
- Florida’s win in 2014 snapped a three-year losing skid
Rivalry’s memorable recent moments
- 2012 — Arguably Jarvis Jones’ best career game at Georgia during the Bulldogs’ 17-9, the All-American linebacker recorded three sacks, two forced fumbles, two recoveries and a game-high 13 tackles.
- 2007 — The Bulldogs ruffled feathers after a first-quarter touchdown resulted in a mass celebration in the end zone that put Florida coach Urban Meyer in a tizzy. Georgia sacked Tim Tebow six times that afternoon during its only win against the Heisman winning, two-time national champ during his career, a 42-30 decision.
- 2002 — Georgia won the SEC Championship this season, but was ultimately kept out of the national title game at the hands of Florida, the Bulldogs’ only blemish in 14 games. Fourth-ranked Georgia entered the contest unbeaten while the Gators, at a disappointing 5-3, were just playing spoiler. First-year Florida coach Ron Zook, who ultimately floundered in Gainesville, got it done that afternoon and beat Georgia, 20-13.
- 1995 — Spurrier and the Gators delivered a statement between the hedges while the stadium in Jacksonville was being renovated, running away from the Bulldogs, 52-17, punctuated by a late score. Known for running up the score, Spurrier was tickled.
