Aaron Murray didn’t hide what jumped out at him after Florida’s 66-21 win over FAU: the Gators’ offense might be a lot better than people want to believe.
That’s not the kind of sentence Georgia fans are eager to hear, especially this early in the season. But Murray, who was on the SEC Network call for Florida’s blowout on Saturday night, walked away impressed enough to say, “This could be one of the best offenses in the SEC.”
It’s still early, and beating FAU doesn’t automatically turn Florida into a finished product. Georgia’s own 63-point outburst against Tennessee State came with the same asterisk. But Florida’s performance did come against a step up in competition, and the way the Gators rolled up points made it hard to ignore.
Transfer quarterback Aaron Philo was sharp from the start, completing 16 of 21 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 20 rushing yards and another score on the ground.
Behind him, Jadan Baugh turned in the kind of stat line that makes people sit up and take notice, piling up 160 yards and three touchdowns on just 14 carries. Vernell Brown was just as productive in the passing game, finishing with six catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Florida still has to prove it can do this against a real test. The Gators lost to a similar team in USF 18-16 last year, and nobody should crown an offense after one night against FAU. Their first real measuring sticks come in weeks three and four against Auburn and Ole Miss.
Even with all that in mind, the scoreboard does raise a different question for Georgia: what about Florida’s defense?
Giving up 21 points to FAU is not the kind of number that makes a team feel untouchable. Georgia allowed just three points against Tennessee State, and that contrast matters. If FAU could put up 21 on Florida, Georgia can reasonably expect a much bigger number when these teams meet.
That matchup is set for Halloween in Atlanta, which leaves both teams with about two months to sort out who they really are. For now, Florida looks like a team with a dangerous offense and a defense Georgia may be able to pick apart.
In Other News...
Jeremy Bell Gave Georgia A Moment Fans Wont Soon Forget
Jeremy Bells fourth-quarter touchdown was the kind of moment that can cut through everything else happening around a game. The Georgia receiver hauled in a 54-yard score in the win over Tennessee State, and for a program that has spent the season balancing expectation with emotion, it stood out for more than just the yardage. Bell has recently been dealing with the loss of his brother, U.S. Army Specialist Elijah Tiller, yet he stayed with the team and continued to contribute when Georgia needed him.
Kirby Smart praised Bell for the way he handled such a difficult stretch while remaining committed to his teammates. In a sport where availability is often treated like the only measure of toughness, Bells performance carried a different kind of weight for Georgia. His touchdown added to the win, but it also gave fans a reminder of what perseverance can look like when football and life collide. [Read more 🡒]
Former Georgia DB Finds Another Path As Bulldogs Depth Evolves
JaCorey Thomas is taking another turn in his football journey after leaving Georgia and landing at West Virginia for the 2026 season. The former Bulldogs safety, who went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and later got a look in Carolina Panthers minicamp, is using a granted fifth season of eligibility to keep his college career going after a long run in Athens.
Thomas leaves Georgia with plenty of experience behind him, having played in 47 games and finished with 63 tackles during his time in the program. For a Bulldogs secondary that keeps evolving, his departure is another reminder of how much turnover can follow in the wake of roster movement, even for players who spent years building themselves into dependable depth pieces. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Just Added Intrigue To A Massive Running Back Battle
Georgias season opener against Tennessee State brought more than just the usual kickoff buzz, as the Bulldogs also hosted one of the most closely watched young backs in the country. Kevin Hartsfield, the No. 1 running back in the 2028 recruiting class, was on campus for the visit, and Georgia remains firmly in the thick of his recruitment as one of his top options.
The timing only adds to the intrigue, especially with Kemon Spell already committed to Georgia in the 2027 class. Spell could end up being a major factor in how Hartsfield views the Bulldogs future backfield, and this visit may have nudged Georgia into an even stronger position as the race for Hartsfield continues. [Read more 🡒]