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Florida Football: Post-spring game-by-game predictions for 2019

By John Mitchell

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators throws a wrist band to a fan following a victory over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators throws a wrist band to a fan following a victory over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

The World’s Largest Outdoor [REDACTED] Party has, in recent seasons, been a series of runs. Georgia currently holds a two game winning streak in the series. Florida won the previous three before that, Georgia the three before that, and Florida the three before that. Recent history should point to a Bulldogs victory here, before Dan Mullen gets his revenge and takes the next three in the series between 2020-22.

Georgia was hit hard by early entrants into the NFL Draft as well as the transfer portal, but Kirby Smart’s recruiting success means the Bulldogs no longer have to worry about a rebuilding season. They simply reload, and Smart has the pieces in place once again to make the Bulldogs a legitimate national championship contender for the third season in a row.

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Having an entrenched starting quarterback always boosts your profile, and rising junior Jake Fromm is among the best signal-callers in the country. There is a lot of talent to replace at receiver, though, with four of last season’s top five receivers gone. Gone are Riley Ridley, Mecole Hardman, Terry Godwin, and tight end Isaac Nauta. Luckily, there’s still plenty of talent waiting in the wings, led by Jeremiah Holloman and Cal-transfer Demetris Robertson, each of whom had strong spring practices.

If the receivers take some time to come together, Georgia is still loaded at running back despite losing Elijah Holyfield to the draft. D’Andre Swift might be the best running back in the conference, and rising senior Brian Herrien has been itching for an increased role. There’s also former blue-chippers Zamir White and James Cook who will be looking to break into the rotation.

On defense, expect your typical Kirby Smart unit in spite of a change at coordinator with Mel Tucker now the head coach at Colorado. Smart promoted from within to fill that vacancy, bumping up outside linebackers coach Dan Lanning. If Smart and Lanning can get some contributions from some incoming freshman such as Nolan Smith, then the ‘Dawgs will have a deep and talented defense at every level.

I really want to pick Florida here, and I might by the time we get into the season, but I picked the Gators in last season’s matchup in Jacksonville and got burned. I’m not quite ready to love again.

Pick: Georgia 31, Florida 27 (7-2, 4-2)

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