Florida Gators turning focus to Georgia during off week

Now at the midway point of the season, the Florida Gators enter their annual open week to heal up both mentally and physically, and recharge for the stretch run. The stretch that looms starts with the game of the year on the horizon— Florida/Georgia or as I always call it “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party”. I know that’s not politically correct anymore but let’s just be real about it. The annual clash in Jacksonville is always a big game, but this season it will ultimately define the season for both teams. The Gators and Bulldogs collision is a de facto College Football Playoff elimination game, and furthermore, the loser leaves Jacksonville with their east hopes dashed. I mean, there is so much on the line in next week’s showdown.

The Gators can pretend like this is “just another game”, as they have claimed to reporters this week. But the bottom line is— Dan Mullen and his Gators know what’s on the line next week, and moreover, they know what kind of Georgia team they’re going to see. The Bulldogs ugly loss to LSU was just the kind of wake-up call that they need heading into this meeting with the rival Gators. If UGA had won in Baton Rouge, I would love Florida’s chances in this game. But now, Kirby Smart and his team will work on the many problems that were exploited in Baton Rouge and be ready. That said, I don’t count out Florida and especially with Mullen having an extra week to work his magic on a pristine game plan.

Hardly anyone projected this hot start for Florida (except for this guy), as I had the Gators sitting at 6-1 heading into Jacksonville. But a win against the ‘Dawgs would validate that mark. No matter if Florida ends up taking down Georgia or not, Mullen has done a phenomenal job in his first season at Florida. But a win against what will be a hungry and energized Georgia team, will show that this program has already taken a turn to élite status.

Florida’s lousy start against Vanderbilt are the telling signs of the mammoth games that have surfaced over the past few weeks, and the Gators just simply didn’t bring that same intensity to Nashville.

Mullen spoke on his team’s critical key to success for the second half of the season:

“Everybody gets a chance to catch their breath. Then we come back, we got five in a row. So, we got to get rested and then build our mental toughness for those next five as we come back.”