Georgia Back in Control of SEC Fate, Muddles BCS Outlook

Oct 27, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jarvis Jones (29) celebrates after the game against the Florida Gators at EverBank Field. The Bulldogs won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Florida’s lack of offensive punch was destined to catch up with it, and that’s precisely what happened in Saturday’s Outdoor Cocktail Party. Georgia regained control over its SEC fate and threw a wrench into the BCS outlook with its 17-9 defeat of the Gators.

Georgia what was far-and-away its best defensive performance of 2012, overcoming 132 yards of penalties by forcing six Florida turnovers. The Gators were not setting the world on fire with the football previously, but Saturday was a particularly bad showing. Georgia’s front seven forced Florida into a passing attack, a proposition Brent Pease may have been comfortable with while at Boise State, but not as offensive coordinator of his UF bunch. The Gators rushed 41 times, which was still 13 more than they passed. But those 41 rushes were largely ineffective, going for just over two yards per attempt.

Jarvis Jones had an individual performance that will live in this rivalry’s lore for years to come. The Bulldog linebacker sacked Jeff Driskel three times, forced two fumbles and had 13 tackles overall. While the Georgia defense has not met expectations for much of the season as a group, Jones has individually excelled. Today’s effort might be enough to interject Jones’ name into some Heisman discussions.

That the Bulldogs beat Florida at its own game is surprising. Aaron Murray had a truly abysmal outing: 12-24, three interceptions, 150 yards. The running game wasn’t much better against one of the premiere rush defense in college football. The Gator defense looked every bit the part of BCS championship contender, finally buckling late on Murray’s lone touchdown pass.

But even in the SEC where defense is king, a team still needs to put points on the board in order to win.

Georgia has now played the meat of its schedule. With the tiebreaker over Florida, and South Carolina sporting a pair of conference losses, the Bulldogs need only to win out to reach a second consecutive SEC championship game. And as the amount of unbeaten teams in college football continues to dwindle, an invitation to the SEC championship game becomes a potential ticket to Miami and the BCS championship.

The BCS outlook will only further muddle in the coming weeks, but prospects for Georgia are suddenly bright.