Florida Football: 3 Reasons the Gators will beat Georgia

3. The Florida defense is for real

Few teams lose their starting quarterback and keep their momentum. Florida has done just that. Maintaining a respectable offense (sixth-best in the SEC), with a terrifyingly dominant defense has been all Florida has needed to win football games. A close loss to No. 1 LSU aside, the Gators’ defense has been exceptional.

Florida ranks third in the SEC scoring defense, fourth in rushing defense, fifth in passing defense and first in turnovers. Georgia’s defense is neck-and-neck with Florida’s in terms of yards and points allowed, but the Bulldogs have forced nine turnovers to the Gators’ 18.

Those extra opportunities are magnified in big moments. Florida has won those big moments and, more importantly, translated them into points. Georgia won’t have the same margin for error against Florida than they have against Kentucky or Tennessee. The Bulldogs are one of the best teams in the nation when it comes to protecting the football, but that hasn’t hindered the ball-hawking Florida defense yet.

A matchup between two Top-10 teams rarely disappoints and this contest should live up to its billing. When it’s over, Florida football should have another impressive win on its resume and a trip to Atlanta and the SEC Championship all but secured.