Georgia vs. Florida: Did Mark Richt Save His Job with Win over the Gators?

Despite losing two of the last 10 meetings, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs came into this game with a huge chip on its shoulder.

It was simple—pick up a victory and the SEC East could be yours with South Carolina reeling due to the loss of their superstar running back Marcus Lattimore. However, many questioned if Richt's job would get swamped by the Gators for the seventh time.

They suffered a brutal overtime loss last season, but this Georgia squad has proven to have a ton of swagger this season. They had an awful 0-2 start right out of the gates after losing to Boise State and South Carolina (home).

Many figured they would have no chance to get back into the race since they were basically two games behind the Gamecocks after their home loss. How things have changed!

South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore has since been lost for the season and all of a sudden it is the Bulldogs of Georgia that are the frontrunners in the East Division of the SEC.

Not only did this huge victory over Florida save Richt his job, but it has rejuvenated his stand with the Bulldogs. Nobody counted on Richt to beat Florida, and some will still doubt their chances at reaching the SEC Championship representing the East.

Plus, I can guarantee you nobody outside of Athens will be banking on them to represent the SEC in a BCS bowl (say they beat SEC West). In fact, they should be double-digit underdogs in that game if they do reach it.

LSU and Alabama will be kicking off their Game of the Century next Saturday night, as Richt and these Bulldogs will be lying in the weeds waiting for their next opponent.

They fell far from the polls in the opening two weekends, but they finally moved back up in the polls this past week, and a victory over Florida should boost them up in the high teens in Sunday's BCS rankings.

UGA has New Mexico State next weekend before they host Auburn in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry. That could be a game that decides their SEC Championship fates.

After Auburn, they host Kentucky before they go to Atlanta against the rivaled Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech is a dangerous team to play on the road, but how about this 'Dawgs defense?

They entered play allowing just 272 total yards per game (sixth), and with all of their stud linebackers back, the numbers and production may only improve.

In fact, it has helped the pass defense to dominate the opposition allowing just 171 yards per game (ninth). The run defense is pinning its ears back, ranking 18th in the country while limiting their opponents to 101 yards per game (Gators ran negative 19 yards, 226 total offensive yards).

Georgia has now won six straight, and all of a sudden it is not a joke to say that Richt and the 'Dawgs could make it 10 straight before potentially heading back (doubt they stay in Atlanta) to Atlanta against Alabama or LSU for the SEC Championship.

Come away with a victory there, and the city of Athens could go from roasting Richt to renaming the city after him.