Every Georgia fan and every Florida fan is aware what this game means.
Friends, family, fans, students and alumni make this trip annually to witness this storied rivalry between the states. Georgia fans ultimately despise Florida, and Florida fans feel the same way. That is why this game is special.
It truly means something to both sides.
Nine out of the past twelve meetings have come down to the wire. The Gators and the Bulldogs are both coming off bye weeks and have had extra time to prepare for this matchup. Both teams will be wearing their home uniforms this Saturday, marking the first time this has occurred since the 1970’s.
There is a lot at stake in this game. The Bulldogs have won the past three meetings and are looking to extend that winning streak to four. This is likely Florida head coach Will Muschamp’s last time coaching in this game. Ironically, he played for Georgia and has never been apart of the winning side in this rivarly. He lost all four meetings as a player against Florida and is 0-3 as Florida’s coach against Georgia. Muschamp was a walk-on for the Georgia Bulldogs and played safety from 1991-1994. He would like nothing more than to finally beat Georgia.
The Gators will need to contain freshman running back Nick Chubb as he will be starting again in place of Todd Gurley. Gurley will be missing his third straight game but will return when the Bulldogs face off against Auburn on Nov. 15. Everyone is aware that Gurley is a special player, but Chubb has filled in magnificently. In Georgia’s last two game, he has 68 carries for 345 yards and 3 touchdowns. The 228-pound freshman is averaging 5.75 yards a carry and will certainly look to continue his stellar play against the Gators’ defense.
Freshman quarterback Treon Harris will be making his first career start against the Bulldogs. Harris is replacing junior Jeff Driskel, who has struggled mightily this season. Harris has thrown for 263 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, while also rushed for a touchdown. In five SEC games, Driskel was very inconsistent, throwing for six touchdowns and ten interceptions. The Gators are ranked 12th out of 14 in passing offense in the SEC.
Georgia leads the all-time series 49-40-2. Since 1990, the Gators have dominated the rivalry but the Bulldogs have been victorious the past three seasons. Georgia will need to secure a win if they want to remain in the hunt for an SEC championship and College Football Playoff spot while the Gators are looking to upset their rival and spoil their season.
Date: Saturday, November 1 2014
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
TV Coverage: CBS
Radio Coverage: Georgia Bulldog Radio Network, Gator IMG Sports Network
Injuries
Georgia RB Keith Marshall (ankle)
Georgia RB Sony Michel (shoulder)
Florida QB Jeff Driskel (leg)
*Section Photo and Featured Photo (above) credit to Sam Greenwood, Getty Images.
