Saturday’s rivalry clash between Georgia and Florida may tilt heavily toward the Bulldogs on paper, but there’s one spot where the Gators can make things uncomfortable: on the ground.
No. 3 Georgia heads into Week 9 with a defense that has largely been stout against the run, allowing just 91.4 rushing yards per game, which ranks No. 10 nationally.
Still, the last two games have exposed a crack in that armor. The Bulldogs gave up 161 rushing yards in a three-point win at Alabama, then yielded 192 more in a stunning loss to unranked Auburn the following week.
That’s enough to make Florida’s rushing game worth watching closely.
The Gators have a real weapon in Jadan Baugh, who has put together 763 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns and stands as the SEC’s third-most productive back. He’s been central to Florida’s offense, and his production gives the Gators a chance to control the ball and create scoring opportunities near the goal line.
Florida’s overall rushing numbers suggest this won’t be a one-man show, either. The Gators are averaging 194.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks fourth in the SEC, and that kind of ground volume is exactly the sort of stress test Georgia has recently struggled to pass.
There’s also a broader trend working in Florida’s favor. Jon Sumrall-coached teams are 37-3 in their last 40 games when they reach at least 125 rushing yards, a stat that points to the importance of the run game if the Gators want to stay close. Against a Georgia front that allows under 3 yards per carry, that becomes the clearest route to keeping the game tight.
Of course, Florida has already seen how quickly that plan can fall apart. Baugh was limited to 13 rushing yards against Missouri and 59 against South Carolina, and both of those games ended in ugly losses for the Gators.
So the formula is simple. If Florida can get Baugh going early, stay ahead of schedule, and force Georgia’s defense to keep dealing with physical, sustained drives, this rivalry game becomes much more interesting. If the Bulldogs slam that door shut, then Florida will be pushed into a passing game against a defense that gives up just 185 yards per game.
That’s the line in this matchup, and it still points to Georgia.
In Other News...
Florida Could Make Georgia Sweat In Rivalry Game For One Reason
Floridas spot on the Georgia scouting report got a little more interesting in Week 9, and not just because the rivalry always brings its own edge. With several ranked teams facing potential trouble and the first College Football Playoff rankings approaching, the Gators are part of a bigger Saturday picture that could reshape the standings if the favorites stumble.
The uncertainty around Floridas quarterback situation is the wrinkle worth watching against Georgia, especially in a game where a backup can sometimes change the tone faster than anyone expects. Georgia still has the better resume and the deeper roster, but this is the kind of rivalry setting where a little doubt at the most important position can make a heavy favorite sweat longer than planned. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Fans Are Learning Fast What Aaron Philo Really Brings
Aaron Philo arrived at Florida with the kind of rsum that made him worth watching right away, even if he came in as a former backup from Georgia Tech. The junior quarterback was handed the starting job after transferring, and the early returns have already given Gators fans a clearer sense of what he can offer: a leader with experience, poise and the mobility to stress defenses in more than one way.
Now the conversation has shifted to availability, which is always the hard part for a quarterback trying to settle in with a new team. Philo is working through a shoulder injury he picked up against South Carolina and sat out the next game against Texas, leaving Florida to wait and wonder how quickly he can get back to showing the full package that made him such an intriguing addition in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Faces A Georgia Reality Fans Are Tired Of Living
Myles Graham knows exactly what waits for Florida when it steps into Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. The Gators linebacker spent part of this week talking about the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs, and the conversation quickly turned to Gunner Stockton and the challenge he brings to a matchup that carries real weight for both teams College Football Playoff hopes.
For Florida, though, the bigger issue is familiar and frustrating. Georgia has controlled this rivalry for years, and Graham didnt shy away from acknowledging the run the Bulldogs have put together against the Gators. He also made clear he is eager to help change that feeling, which is the part Florida fans have been waiting to hear before another trip into a game that has too often ended the same way. [Read more 🡒]