Georgia-Florida: The Thrill In Jacksonville

Attention might be focused towards No. 1 Texas' challenge next week against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, but the deep south, myself included, will religously be focused towards the SEC headline of the week in the Georgia-Florida game.

Last season, "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" as the game is sometimes referenced to, featured a 42-30 victory for the Georgia Bulldogs, and the donning of a new hero gracing the Georgia white, red and black in running back Knowshon Moreno.

Moreno, who almost single handedly won the game on bursts of speed, agility and grace that drew comparisons between him and Bulldogs legend Herschel Walker, is now infamous to Florida fans and famous to the rest of the college football community. With 3 touchdowns on 33 carries, the Bulldogs ended up winning last season's meeting by the score of 42-30.

The turning point, however, was not the many tacklers Moreno juked, threw aside or avoided completely. It wasn't the constant pressure Tim Tebow faced, nor was it the performance from Percy Harvin at the running back position. The game changing performance was a celebration by the Georgia Bulldogs, which has been set ablaze in the back of any Gator fans mind like a hot summer day in Gainesville.

In case you were living under a rock during last year's college football season, Georgia decided to add more fuel to the rivalry, which has been noted as classy and respectful through the days of play. He told his team that if they didn't draw a penalty on a celebration sometime or another in the game, that he'd have the team undergo some difficult and rigorous conditioning drills.

So, in a creative yet blood churning decision, the Bulldogs gathered together and sent their entire roster, from Matt Stafford to the third string punter, out on the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium football field in celebration.

Of course, the team was forced to kick off from their 8 yard line, but it really got the Bulldogs inspired, and was a major turning point in the game. However, the Gators haven't forgotten it.

This season's game brings forth new expectations for both teams, and this game boasts a massive amount of National Championship implifications. Both teams are riled up, with big victories today, and will be ready for this rivalry game, especially the Gators, who, even though they may not admit it, are thinking of that specific celebration above every costly play in the 2007 season.

What really speaks to the college football world of this matchup is the team speed and playcall creativity that Florida is bringing to the table, with the main talents showcased that weren't present in 2007 being Jeffrey Demps and Chris Rainey, both running backs.

But Georgia rightfully counters, with the 12th best defense in college football to date. Florida comes in defensively at 15th, a major improvement from where the Gators were last season, and something else the Bulldogs have to plan for.

But something that seems to be forgotten is the fact that Knowshon Moreno is still playing.

While the Gators come in with the 15th ranked defense, they haven't faced a running back that stacks up to the production and overall ability of Knowshon Moreno. Last season's game was the one that Moreno really burst onto the scene, and it could be the game this year in which he shows up on another scene—that of the Heisman discussion, or he could fall into another scenario, one that would fall into the hands of Florida.

While the stats indicate that Florida is the juggernaut, you can never pick a team on paper. Florida comes in with the 26th ranked pass defense, a faster, more experience pass defense than the one Georgia Quarterback Matthew Stafford disected last season.

However, the deciding factor for me is Tim Tebow. Last season he was beat to bits, injured and tattered from previous games, ones like the victories against Ole Miss and Kentucky where he literally carried this Florida team on his shoulders. The Georgia pressure made things worse, but with a more experienced offense line—and a better Tebow at that, I expect the Gators to come out victorious.

It's not likely that Tebow will need to carry the Gators on his shoulders in this game, as his offense is loaded with weapons, particuraly speed. Tebow has made excellent reads this season, and Florida has an excellent special teams unit stacked up against a middle-of-the-road Georgia special teams defense on punts and kickoffs.

With Georgia giving up around 8 yards per punt return and about 20 yards per return on kickoffs, which aren't exactly bad numbers, but ones that could be better, I expect Urban Meyer to design a gameplan around star player Brandon James, who's had a major impact returning the ball this season.

Also, look for the packages that Meyer sends out on the field. He blocked two punts and a field goal against Kentucky in a 63-5 victory, and he's got good enough team speed to do it once more against Georgia. The Gators have also had an intense nose for the ball lately, so I expect a few turnovers forced from an intensified Florida unit.

The only way I see Georgia coming out on top is if they establish themselves early, and if Moreno becomes the dominate factor throughout the game. If he gets going and can't be stopped, the Gators might have their hands full, as Stafford could then spread the field with the play-action pass.

I see the game being very close, and a great game to watch offensively. I'm going to say the final result is 35-24 Florida.

In my opinion, the Gators will make Georgia pay for that celebration from '07, as they dance, step and hop their way to a victory in the 2008 "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party".