Georgia vs. Florida: Complete Game Preview

For the better part of two decades, the Florida Gators dominated the Georgia Bulldogs in one of the SEC's most bitter rivalries.  Regardless of talent or season record, the Dawgs struggled mightily against the Gators between 1990 and 2010, winning just three contests during that period.

Things have changed as of late, however.  Though the games have all been close in score, the Bulldogs have prevailed in each of the last three contests.

Will Georgia's winning streak continue and strengthen the Bulldogs' grip on the SEC East's standings?  Or will Florida upset the heavy favorite?

Here's what you need to know about Saturday's game:

• Date: Saturday, November 1
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• Place: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
• TV: CBS
• Radio: Georgia Bulldog Radio Network, Gator IMG Sports Network
• Spread: Georgia (-10), per Odds Shark

Georgia Keys to Victory

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Look for Georgia's defense to make a statement early.

An Early Lead

In Week 3, a seemingly outmatched South Carolina team upset the Georgia Bulldogs.  To do so, the Gamecocks came out hot, relied heavily on the chaos that thrives in rivalry games and held on late.  So despite recent success, this Georgia team should know all too well that records mean nothing in rivalries.

The best way to deflate a hungry and still talented Florida team is with early success.  If the improving Georgia defense can make a stand and the offense can methodically work down the field for points, some of the wind will be pulled from the lungs of the upset-minded Gators.

Control the Clock

Last year, Georgia raced out to a 20-0 lead before the Gators turned up their defensive performance a notch or two and worked back into the game.  Turnovers by the Bulldogs afforded Florida multiple opportunities to get points, and Will Muschamp's team capitalized repeatedly.

As a result, a 20-point lead dwindled to a three-point margin in the fourth quarter, and the Dawgs needed a long, clock-eating drive to survive in Jacksonville.

Controlling the clock earlier in the game will help alleviate late-game pressure and lessen the potential for a disheartening defeat at the hands of the Gators.  Turnovers must be avoided, and Georgia's occasional hurry-up offense should be traded for a more conservative pace—even if play-calling does not differ.

Florida Keys to Victory

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Florida quarterback Treon Harris

The Turnover Game

Over the past two games, Georgia has forced nine turnovers while failing to give away a single one.  Florida cannot afford such an imbalance in this contest.  In fact, Florida must win the turnover battle in order to have a chance in this game.

Defensively, stopping the run on first down will force more passing situations from Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason.  To date, no game has been put fully in his hands to win, and if he feels the pressure of the moment, he could be prone to poor decision-making.  

To be clear, turnovers have not plagued Mason this season (he has 14 total touchdowns and just three interceptions), but the Gators must strive to rattle him.

Offensively, Florida cannot yield to opposing defensive pressure.  Georgia's offense is too potent to be given extra shots.

Play for More than a Win

As trite as it may sound, this is more than just a game for Florida.  A win halts Georgia's momentum in the rivalry—which should help Florida in recruiting.  A victory puts Florida back at .500 in SEC play and at 4-3 overall, and it quiets some of the chatter regarding Muschamp's job security.

Florida must recognize the magnitude of this moment and rise to greet it rather than shying away.  The Gators need to take chances in play-calling, gamble on defense and try to make something happen on special teams.

It will take a memorable performance to upset the Bulldogs, but if the Gators can manufacture such a showing, it could springboard them into a strong close through November.

Georgia Players to Watch

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Georgia running back Todd Gurley

Todd Gurley

The most common assumption is that the NCAA will approve Georgia's request for the reinstatement of star running back Todd Gurley.

If he's back, Florida is in trouble.

In two games against Florida, Gurley has racked up 328 yards of offense, and this year, he'll be both fresh and angry.  Look for him to be the leading component of Georgia's offense as he picks up where he left off.

Damian Swann

The savvy veteran is playing the best football of his career right now.  The senior defensive back has played every position in the secondary and done a little bit of everything along the way.  He's fourth on the team in total tackles and has racked up 3.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage while forcing two fumbles, recovering one fumble and intercepting three passes.

Swann will thrive in the chaos that a fierce front seven will produce against freshman quarterback Treon Harris.  Look for continued steady play out of him as well as a game-changing forced turnover.

Florida Players to Watch

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Florida defensive back Vernon Hargreaves

Treon Harris

As ugly as Florida's offense has been this season, Harris has offered a glimmer of hope.  Though his playing time has been limited in his backup capacity, he's completed two-thirds of his passes while throwing for 263 yards, three touchdowns and just one interception.  He's also added 51 rushing yards and a score on the ground.

As great as all of that sounds, however, he's still attempted just 18 career passes, and the 5'11", 178-pound passer will be facing the best defense he's ever seen.  Oh, and his first career start will come in one of the most heated rivalries in all of college football.

If Harris can keep his head on a swivel and rely on his playmaking abilities, this could be a breakout game—even in defeat.

Vernon Hargreaves

One of the better cornerbacks in the SEC, Hargreaves is the leading candidate for making a big play defensively for the Gators.  Though opposing quarterbacks often shy away from throwing his way, Hargreaves is capable of capitalizing on any poorly thrown ball that comes his direction.

Look for Florida to dial up pressure on obvious passing scenarios and put the onus of forcing a turnover on Hargreaves.  If he can take advantage of a rattled Hutson Mason even once, then he could change the game's momentum.

What They're Saying

John Raoux/Associated Press

Florida head coach Will Muschamp

Faith in Will Muschamp

Not everyone has given up on Florida head coach Will Muschamp.  The Gators' basketball coach, Billy Donovan, offered support, according to ESPN.com.

"And I will tell you this: I am a huge Will Muschamp fan," he said.  "I really respect him as a man.  I respect the way he goes to work every day, and the way he's tried to deal and address his team."

Muschamp can earn a lot more respect with a win over Georgia.

Gurley's Return

Though the return of Todd Gurley is not yet finalized, Georgia is moving along with or without the star running back.

"We just don't know what to expect," head coach Mark Richt said, per GeorgiaDogs.com.  "We're going to keep practicing hard and preparing for the game.  We'll just wait and see."

Richt added that the team has been at its best when focusing solely on the task at hand.

Prediction

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Georgia head coach Mark Richt

Georgia cannot take this game lightly.  A few short weeks ago, Florida pushed LSU to the brink in a 30-27 loss.  That same LSU team just beat Ole Miss (then ranked third in the country) by an equally slim margin.

Obviously, those results do not apply to both teams in every game, but the point is this: Florida has lost some tough games.  The Gators have also won some close ones, and their victory over Tennessee on the road was no less inspiring than the Dawgs' home win over the Volunteers.

That being said, there's no conventional wisdom that merits an upset prediction.  Unfortunately for Georgia, this isn't a conventional game—it never is.  Accordingly, the Bulldogs will likely draw Florida's best effort of the season and need to be prepared for such a showing.

Ultimately, Georgia will prevail, but it may not be pretty.  The Dawgs will hold on once again in Jacksonville, and in doing so, they will add another conference win to their tally while still remaining mostly off the national radar as they enter the final stretch of the season.

For Florida, a fourth consecutive loss to Georgia will make Muschamp's seat hotter than ever.  It's unlikely that he's offed during the season, but falling to 3-4 overall and 2-4 in conference play does not bode well for his future.

Final Score: Georgia 35, Florida 21.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all statistics courtesy of Sports-Reference.com.