Georgia Football: Bulldogs best Florida to seize control of SEC East

3. Quarterback controversy brewing in Gainesville

Feliepe Franks has shown improvement through the course of the season under the tutelage of Dan Mullen, who has earned a reputation as a quarterback whisperer. Franks held the Florida offense back in Jacksonville on Saturday, throwing for just 105 yards on 13-of-21 passing. Franks threw an interception and had a costly fumble inside his own three-yard-line. Franks’ propensity to turn the ball over has continued against tougher opponents.

Mullen unveiled a new wrinkle to the Florida offense giving true freshman Emory Jones some packages over the bye week that they debuted against the Bulldogs. Jones hadn’t taken a snap since the season opener against Charleston Southern.

He got in against Georgia, rushing 4 times for 12 yards, and uncorking a beautiful deep ball down the sideline that drew a pass-interference flag on Georgia freshman cornerback Tyson Campbell. Mullen allowing Jones to take a shot downfield like that shows some confidence in the freshman; it was certainly warranted as well as the throw was right on the money and would have been a touchdown if not for the interference.

Jones has a bright future in Gainesville, and it will be interesting to see if Mullen continues to play him down the stretch, or if he chooses to pick his spots the rest of the way and maintain his redshirt.

The Gators are out of the SEC East race at this point, but they are still very much alive for a berth in the New Year’s Six. Mullen has Florida ahead of schedule, but they do seem to be a quarterback away from seriously contending.

Emory Jones might be the future of the position in Gainesville, and the future could come sooner than you might think.