The Real Reason This Year's WLOCP Is the Biggest In Years

It is that time of year again. The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (WLOCP) looms large, and I daresay has to be the biggest game in this series in years, but not for the reasons that you may think.

Yes, Florida and Georgia are both ranked in the top 10 and this game could determine a shot at the MNC game. Yes, Florida has revenge on its minds after "the Celebration." Both of those pale in comparison to the real reason why this game is so important. 

It is amazing the arrogance of the Florida fans, players, and coaches. They've been winning this game for so long recently that they feel it is their birthright to do so. What they don't understand—heck, half of them are too young to remember—is that this series is very streaky, and, when it turns, it turns ugly.

Everyone talks about the streak from 1990 until today, 15-18 in favor of the Gators, but before that it was 15 of 19 in favor of the Dawgs. Before that, there was an unusual five-year span of equal play, during which Georgia was 3-2-1. Before that, it was Florida, 10-12. Before that, Georgia had a long run, 24-5-1. 

Only one time in our history has the down team won two in a row and not turned the series the other way. In the middle of Georgia's 24-win streak dominance of Florida, UF put together a streak of two wins and a tie. After that, it didn't win another game for seven years.

That is why this year’s game is, in my humble opinion, one of the biggest in years. After Georgia's win in 2004, the Bulldogs could have turned it then, but DJ Shockley went down and they had to play with Joe Tereshinski III. This year, they're relatively healthy and evenly matched with the Gators. We're either going to see the series turn yet again in the favor of the Dawgs, or see the Gators try to bring it back to their favor. 

While Florida is playing the celebration over and over and over again in the locker room, I hope coach Mark Richt is showing the team these stats: A win Saturday puts Georgia back in the driver’s seat, where it belongs.