Georgia Football: 3 Bold Predictions for Rivalry Match-up with Florida

3. The Kirby Smart-Dan Mullen war begins

This will be the first iteration of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (I know it’s not officially called this anymore, but I’m still going to call it that, so deal with it) that pits Kirby Smart and Dan Mullen against one another at their respective schools.

Both schools appear to have found their long-term solutions at head coach. Kirby Smart is finally unlocking the sleeping giant in Athens, dominating the recruiting trail at Alabama-like levels, and nearly leading the Bulldogs to a national championship in just his second year on the sideline. Bigger and better things are coming for Georgia under Smart’s leadership.

As for Florida, Dan Mullen has provided a miraculous turnaround in year one for a Gators squad that most didn’t expect to be a serious threat in the SEC East. After their struggles in a week two home loss to Kentucky, some questioned whether Florida would even make it to a bowl game. And now, the Gators have reeled off five straight victories, already eclipsing their win total from all of last season, and they’ve risen into the AP Top 10.

The winner of this game is in the driver’s seat of the SEC East, and will draw first blood in what is sure to be a back-and-forth rivalry for the next decade with these two on the sidelines. This rivalry may peak with these two coaches at these schools, and the SEC East for many years to come will likely be on the line when these two meet in Jacksonville.

Saturday’s matchup will be just the first in what will emerge as one of college football’s premier, and most hotly contested, rivalries while these two occupy their respective sidelines.