Game Preview: Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs – 10/31 – 3:30
Heading into the World’s Largest Cocktail Party, let’s look at the positives, shall we.
Florida
is behind only
Alabama
and
Auburn
in the SEC for total points scored (and the Gators have played one game less). Each other SEC East team already has at least two losses. And the Gators have won 12 straight against conference opponents. They used to say something to the effect of the first goal being to get to Atlanta, and the rest will sort itself out. There are only two teams that can prevent Florida from getting to Atlanta. One is
South Carolina
(assuming Florida losses two SEC games, one of which would have to be to the Gamecocks, while South Carolina wins out) and the other (which needs the same scenario) is the Gators’ opponent this weekend –
Georgia
.
Here are 10 things about Saturday’s matchup…
1. The Okefenokee Oar. A paddle made from a piece of a 1,000-year-old cypress found in a swamp on the border between Florida and Georgia. You can’t make this stuff up. Beginning this year, the Gators and Bulldogs are battling for an oar. A 1,000-year-old oar that most assuredly has the powers of black magic cursed into it by the swamp’s inhabitants, but still an oar. No one said rivalry trophies had to be gloriously bronzed cups with victors engraved on the side. An oar will do just fine.
2. Scoring from outside of the red zone. Can’t remember where we read this idea, but it’s a simple one really. If you can’t score from inside of the 20-yard line, just score from outside of it. The red zone is kryptonite to the Gators so bring back the big play. If your team isn’t good at something, don’t do it. Stay out of the red zone. It’s a dangerous place where turnovers and field goals rule. Score on the long ball, the big run.
3. Random Omarius Hines fact: Halloweening as the invisible man, or more accurately wide receiver #82. (In case you’re wondering [which we’re sure you weren’t] why Hines keeps appearing at the #3 position, it has something to do with our push for him to be the #3 WR.)
4. Emmanuel Moody’s first red zone carry. Despite the attempt to score from outside the 20 at all times, Florida will find itself in a situation or two from within the red zone. Maybe due to a nice punt return or a Joe Cox blunder. This means we’ll get a chance to witness a mythical beast only heard of in lore. A Moody red zone carry. You heard it here first. It will happen against Georgia. (In no way can we possibly guarantee that.)
5. Can a team continue to win with such poor pass distribution? Alabama, Cincinnati, Iowa, Texas. All are undefeated. All have exactly six pass catchers with 10 or more receptions. Florida has two. Now of course the Gators hold the advantage of being the #1 team in the nation so this isn’t really a complaint, but it’s getting to the point in the season that it’s somewhat disturbing someone else hasn’t stepped up. Riley Cooper and Aaron Hernandez are getting theirs, but Florida needs other options. Let’s rephrase that, Florida needs other reliable options.
6. Whatever it is, step up from the offensive line. It may be execution. It may be schemes. It may be trying to give Tim Tebow more of a challenge. It no longer matter. Step up and deliver the pancakes. Block aggressively. Protect the quarterback. Give the running backs holes. Grade the road. Get past the criticism and play with some passion. One slip up can result in a trip to Orlando or Tampa. Both lovely places where many of us TBGers frequent, but not where anyone truly wants to go bowling.
7. The defensive tackles may just be the key. Terron Sanders is quietly putting together one hell of a season. He is a force in the middle and a catalyst to the defensive ends getting to opposing quarterbacks. This week, he may welcome back DT-mates Jaye Howard and Lawrence Marsh. A heavy rotation of those three and Omar Hunter could spell danger for a Georgia run game that is already shaky. Sigh, sometimes we daydream about this unit with John Brown and Torrey Davis.
8. Carlos Dunlap is a man. After a sacktastic performance against Mississippi State, Dunlap earned the right to be removed from this spot. However, we’ve kept him here to praise #8 from coming out of the witness relocation program and being his dominant self. But one game does not make a true man. True man made over many moons. Keep bringing it Carlos. Think of this as your audition for that silly league that plays games on Sundays if you have to.
9. The kicking competition is back open. We’re not completely sure why, but why not? The kickers have hit 13 of 17 field goal attempts this season. Not bad. The kickers have missed two extra points this season. Ugh. We’re all for sticking with one kicker and riding him until he has a Martin Gramatica-like breakdown. It doesn’t seem to have happened with either yet, but the job is up for grabs nonetheless.
10. And finally, because you all knew it was coming…to hell with Georgia!