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SEC Football: 5 most important SEC East games for 2017

By Erich Hilkert

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 29: Head coaches Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs and Jim McElwain of the Florida Gators shake hands after the game at EverBank Field on October 29, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 29: Head coaches Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs and Jim McElwain of the Florida Gators shake hands after the game at EverBank Field on October 29, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – OCTOBER 29: Head coaches Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs and Jim McElwain of the Florida Gators shake hands after the game at EverBank Field on October 29, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – OCTOBER 29: Head coaches Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs and Jim McElwain of the Florida Gators shake hands after the game at EverBank Field on October 29, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

No. 1 – Florida vs. Georgia (Neutral site, Oct. 28)

Florida has won three straight in this matchup, but Georgia won three straight prior to that. Georgia and Florida are the two preseason favorites in the East division, so this game could determine who ends up on top. Florida gets the benefit of the doubt, having won the division the last two seasons.

This game is interesting for a host of reasons, one of them being the matchup between two former Nick Saban coordinators. Florida head coach Jim McElwain was the offensive coordinator for the 2009 championship Alabama team. Kirby Smart served as the defensive coordinator for the same team. Seeing the coaches try to out-strategize the other is one of the more interesting subplots of the game.

On the field, the most interesting matchup is the Georgia receivers against the Florida secondary. Georgia’s receiving corps is largely unproven but full of talent. Jeremiah Holloman and Mark Webb are both highly regarded four-star recruits who should see the field in their freshman years. Terry Godwin and Javon Wims showed flourishes at times last season and will take on bigger roles this season.

Next: 5 most important SEC West games

It is a similar story for Florida’s secondary. The team lost a lot of experience through the NFL Draft, but Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson are replaced by two defensive backs with high ceilings in Duke Dawson and Chauncey Gardner. However, neither player has received a ton of playing time up to this point.

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