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With the SEC East title potentially on the line, all eyes will be on the rivalry games between Georgia and Florida in Jacksonville on Saturday.
On one side, the league’s elder statesman will patrol the sidelines for the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party for a 15th time, while on the other the league’s newest head coach will be a part of the storied tradition for the first time.
With both teams well-rested and well-schemed thanks to a Week 8 bye, we should see the “best shot” from each coaching staff.
While we wait for Saturday, let’s take a look at what each team will bring to the field on its coaching staffs this season, and just what their line of thinking might be for this game:
HEAD COACHES
Jim McElwain, Florida: The Gators have been one of the nation’s top surprise stories of 2015 football under the direction of McElwain in his first year in Gainesville. At 4-1 in the conference and 6-1 overall, the Gators are on the cusp of their first SEC East division crown since 2009. The former Alabama offensive coordinator and Colorado State coach has brought a fresh offensive approach to a team that already has one of the best defenses after several years of instruction under former coach Will Muschamp.
Mark Richt, Georgia: Richt, one of the most well-respected coaches in all of college football, is now in his 15th season at Georgia. Now the league’s elder statesman following the resignation of Steve Spurrier, Richt has seen it all in this series with Florida. But this season’s Bulldogs team is in a bit of turmoil following losses to Alabama and Tennessee, as well as a season-ending injury to star RB Nick Chubb. Richt needs a win in this game to get his detractors off his back.
OFFENSE STAFFS
Florida coordinator: Doug Nussmeier (QB)
His staff: Tim Skipper (RB), Mike Summers (OL), Kerry Dixon II (WR), Greg Nord (TE/ST)
When Florida has the ball: It will be interesting to see what Nussmeier has in store for the Gators offense coming out of the bye week. QB Treon Harris was thrust into the starting role just days before the Week 7 meeting with LSU after QB Will Grier was suspended. With the addition time to prepare for a change in style at quarterback, the Gators may feature a little bit of a different look offensively, perhaps including fewer throws down the field and more designed quarterback rushing attempts to make better use of Harris’ skill set.
Georgia coordinator: Brian Schottenheimer (QB)
His staff: Thomas Brown (RB), John Lilly (TE/ST), Bryan McClendon (WR), Rob Sale (OL)
When Georgia has the ball: The Bulldogs may have lost their best weapon when Nick Chubb went down to a knee injury against Tennessee, but they did not lose their identity. Expect to see the Bulldogs feature fellow sophomore RB Sony Michel, giving him another 20-plus carries while sprinkling in some high-percentage passes for QB Greyson Lambert to keep the Gators defense honest.
DEFENSE STAFFS
Florida co-coordinators: Geoff Collins, Randy Shannon (LB)
Their staff: Kirk Callahan (DB), Chris Rumph (DL)
When Georgia has the ball: The Gators have a very strong defensive front, so we should expect to see them get very aggressive about stopping the Georgia rushing attack. If they’re able to force the Bulldogs into throwing from less than ideal down-and-distance scenarios, this could be a good day for Gators fans.
Georgia coordinator: Jeremy Pruitt (DB)
His staff: Mike Ekeler (ILB/ST), Kevin Sherrer (OLB), Tracy Rocker (DL)
When Florida has the ball: Florida ranks 13th in the league at running the ball and Georgia ranks second in the league against the pass, so Pruitt should feel pretty good about his defense’s chances of keeping the Gators off schedule by forcing them to do what they have not been able to do effectively to date. However, it is worth noting that Florida RB Kelvin Taylor had a monster day against the Bulldogs defense last season in a blowout win for Florida, so be careful what you wish for Georgia fans.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
