With Georgia and Florida only a few days away from their annual meeting, the biggest question on the Gators’ side isn’t scheme or matchup - it’s who lines up at quarterback.
Florida has two options in Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr., and both have reportedly been practicing injured this week. Since they’re still on the field, one of them should be available, but the uncertainty leaves Georgia with a problem of its own. The Bulldogs have no clear read on who they’ll actually have to defend, and that uncertainty may end up helping Florida more than it helps Georgia.
The twist is that Florida isn’t dealing with a backup situation in the usual sense. Both quarterbacks have already shown they can win big games.
Philo has started six of Florida’s seven games this season, including the upset over Ole Miss. Jones has made one start this year, stepping in when Philo was out with an injury in Florida’s last game at Texas two weeks ago, and that ended in a win as well.
That puts Georgia in an awkward spot. It can’t simply prepare for one quarterback and hope that’s the right call. Both players are capable enough that the Bulldogs have to spend time on each, and there’s even a possibility they could see both on Saturday.
Florida probably won’t name a starter until its offense takes the field for the first time, though Georgia could still get a break if the Gators reveal that decision before kickoff.
If the choice comes down to style, Georgia may actually prefer seeing Philo. He’s Florida’s preferred starter, but he hasn’t been the same threat as a runner that Jones has been.
Philo is averaging 2.4 yards per carry this season. Jones is at 4.4.
That gap matters, especially against a Georgia defense that already had issues with a mobile quarterback last time out. Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown ran 26 times for 115 yards against the Bulldogs, and Georgia never really found an answer for him.
Florida could try to lean on Jones in a similar way, but Philo doesn’t appear to bring quite the same rushing element.
Georgia is favored by more than double digits, and no matter who Florida starts, the Bulldogs are still expected to win.
In Other News...
Florida Week Just Got More Interesting With This Gunner Stockton Take
Brad White knows Georgia well enough to appreciate what Gunner Stockton brings to the table, and the Kentucky defensive coordinator did not sound surprised by what he saw from the Bulldogs quarterback in a recent game. A former Georgia walk-on himself, White pointed to Stocktons ability to threaten defenses with both his arm and his legs, while also crediting the supporting cast around him. He noted the talent on Georgias offense and the quality up front, two things that have made life difficult for opposing defenses all season.
Whites comments only add another layer to a matchup that already carries plenty of weight, especially with Florida coming up next. From his perspective, the challenge is as much about surviving Georgias versatility as it is about slowing down one player, and he said he wants his Florida defense to be better prepared when that game arrives. For Georgia, it is another reminder that Stocktons presence is becoming harder for opponents to dismiss, even before the rivalry stage gets any bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Brooks Defends Georgia-Florida Decision Fans Have Been Debating
The debate over where Georgia-Florida should be played has been simmering ever since Jacksonvilles stadium renovations forced the rivalry onto a different stage, and Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks is now laying out why the program went along with the change. Brooks said the decision to keep the game at neutral sites came down to a mix of revenue, competitive balance and tradition, with the broader value of the matchup extending beyond one season or one venue.
Kirby Smart has made clear he would prefer more home games at Sanford Stadium, but the Bulldogs are also weighing the long-term benefits that come with neutral-site arrangements, including financial support from host cities and the chance to preserve one of college footballs most familiar settings. For now, the series shifts to Mercedes-Benz Stadium under a two-year relocation agreement before moving back to Jacksonville, leaving Georgia still navigating the same question fans keep asking: whether the tradeoff is worth it. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Knows This Florida Matchup Could Get Uncomfortable Fast
Buster Faulkner arrives with a familiarity that makes this week a little more interesting than the usual SEC East crossover. Floridas offensive coordinator spent time at both Georgia Tech and Georgia, so he has seen enough of Georgia up close to understand the rhythm of the program, the coaching style and the kind of problems that can still be created even when the talent gap is obvious.
Georgia did beat Georgia Tech every time Faulkner was on staff there, but those games were not always comfortable, which is part of why his presence matters here. Florida gets a coordinator who has already spent years around winning football in this state, and Georgia gets an opponent that may be able to lean on that inside knowledge as it shapes the plan for Saturday. [Read more 🡒]