Florida’s bye week delivered a front-row seat to the chaos around college football, but the Gators are back in the spotlight now and the matchup waiting for them is a heavy one. Vegas has not been shy about it either: Florida opened as a 12.5-point underdog against Georgia before the number dropped to 10.5.
That’s the kind of spread that makes the size of Florida’s latest statement win even more relevant. The Gators are coming off an upset at Texas and have climbed back into the Top 25, with momentum and a place on the CFP bubble in hand.
The positive vibe around the program is real. The task in front of them is bigger.
This year’s version of the Outdoor Party comes with a twist, too. For the first time in the 103 or 104 meetings, depending on which history book you trust, Florida and Georgia will square off in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The game is expected to have the usual 50-50 feel, and Florida’s alumni base in the city should show up in force.
Most of the series has lived in Jacksonville, where more than 90 games have been played. But with that stadium undergoing upgrades and its capacity limited, the matchup shifts to Atlanta this season and then to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa next year.
Outside Jacksonville, the series has also gone to Athens, twice to Gainesville, once to Macon, Ga., and once to Savannah. Tampa will host the game for the second time, with the first meeting there dating all the way back to 1919.
The betting line and the venue change are part of the backdrop. The bigger story is what Florida brings into the game.
After the win at Texas, the Gators are back in the national conversation, but they still have real questions to answer. The most immediate one is at quarterback.
Aaron Philo missed the Texas game with a shoulder injury, and Tramell Jones stepped in and played well in the upset. If Philo still isn’t healthy enough for Jon Sumrall’s liking, the answer is straightforward.
If he is, Florida has a real decision to make.
Jones made his case against the Longhorns. The arm talent is there, and he looked comfortable running Buster Faulkner’s offense. Sumrall is not likely to drag this out, which means Monday’s press conference could go a long way toward showing where Florida is headed.
The Gators also hope to be healthier at receiver after dealing with short numbers at the position over the last few games. That matters in a game of this size, especially with the margin for error so thin.
A win over Georgia would keep the door wide open for Florida’s playoff hopes. A loss would slam it shut on the dream season.
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