It is time for the Georgia Bulldogs vs Florida Gators October 28, 2023 showdown. 
 

Georgia Bulldogs, #1

The Georgia Bulldogs is the number one team in the country. They travel to the swamp, taking on the Florida Gators. It could be their best matchup in recent years. Georgia leads the all-time series 55-44-2, with Georgia coming out on top in five of the last six matchups. The last time they played was in week nine of the previous year. Georgia won the game 42-20, which put them on their way to their second straight championship. 
 

Florida Gators and the Win

The last win Florida had against the Bulldogs was in 2020. Put history aside. Factor in the shortened season. This may be Florida’s best chance to beat the Bulldogs before the SEC championship.
 

Take a Look at the Gator’s Record

The Gators have looked like a different team at home vs on the road. That is, except this game is in Jacksonville. That has been 98% of the time since 1933 except for 1994 and 95 when it was played home and home. At home, Florida has scored 34.5 points and rushed for 209 yards per game while only allowing 72 per game rush yards. Factor out the week’s comeback win against South Carolina. With that in mind, the Gators lost both games on the road. They have only scored 12.5 points, 41 rush yards per game, and allowed 217 rush yards per game in their losses. The million-dollar question is, which Florida team will appear in Jacksonville?
 

Consider the Takeaway

Another key takeaway is the Gators have struggled when playing quality competition. So far, Tennessee is their only quality win. The other teams they have beaten do not have over two wins. The teams they’ve beaten combined for a record of 11-25. The two teams they have lost with a combined record of 11-3.
 

Take a Look at the Bulldog’s Record

While their record remains unblemished for Georgia, they are by no means a perfect team. Playing down to their competition, departures, and injuries are why. South Carolina, Auburn, and Vanderbilt played the reigning champions much closer than many expected. There were even parts in the South Carolina and Auburn games where the opposing team could have won. Despite the close games, Georgia prevailed in the end.
 

The Media Slant

Media schematism has led to questions about their status as the best team in the country. This is the first year that Kirby Smart can use bulletin board material. That is after pointing to it the last two years despite little criticism. Regardless of their recent success, previous accolades don’t factor into voting. Will a team with a better resume pass them up?
 

Tight End Brock Bowers 

Throughout Smart’s tenure as head coach, he has built his teams on defense. The 2021 title team produced 26 draft picks with 15 defenders. That included seven selected in the first round. Despite Smart’s defensive background, tight end Brock Bowers is their biggest playmaker. He is currently seventh in the SEC in receiving yards with 567. Defenses are forced to only gameplan for Bowers. He lines up in-line, out wide, in the slot, and can block. Also he is a threat on end-around because he can score every time he touches the ball. He was able to close out the game against Auburn with his go-ahead run after the catch touchdown.
 

Bowers is Down

Unfortunately, Bowers went down during the Vanderbilt game, suffering a high ankle sprain. They expect him to be out for four-to-six weeks. How will they make up for his production? The answer could be in four players.

• The expectation is on veteran wide receiver Ladd McConkey. While he missed four games, he will be a significant factor. 
• Look at Missouri transfer Dominic Lovett. He had nine catches for 72 yards during his last game against Vanderbilt. He is also expected to play a huge role after. 
• Look for Georgia to run the ball with Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton. They can take the pressure off first-year starter at quarterback Carson Beck.

What to Watch For

The key matchup to watch for is Florida’s playmakers vs Georgia’s defense. Florida’s Quarterback Graham Mertz found an offense that properly utilizes his quick reads skills. Look at last week against South Carolina. Mertz threw one incompletion in his starting debut against Illinois in 2020. He threw a career-high 423 yards while throwing for three touchdowns and no interceptions. Georgia’s defense leads the SEC in rushing defense. The Bulldogs only give up 640 rushing yards and 91.4 rushing yards per game on the season. Throwing will be how Florida gets their yards, led by wide receiver Ricky Persall. Persall is fifth in the SEC in receiving yards with 619 yards.
 

What About Georgia

Georgia’s defense led by:

• Linebackers Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Smael Mondon
• Defensive backs Malaki Stark and Kamari Lassiter. 

All these players rank in Georgia’s top five for tackling, with Mondon leading the pack with 32. They look to contain Florida’s running backs, Montrell Johnson and Travis Etienne. They both rank 10th and 11th in the SEC, having rushed for over 400 rushing yards. Stark, Lassiter, and the rest of the secondary will look to contain Persall.
 

Georgia Bulldogs vs Florida Gators October 28, 2023

Georgia has won 34 consecutive regular season games and 24 games in a row. This includes the postseason. Will Florida be the team to stop Georgia’s winning streak? Find out with University Foot-ball.

Authored by Tarohn Finley