Florida football faces No. 8 Georgia in playoff elimination game

Florida football and Georgia tangle in the World’s Largest outdoor Cocktail party in Jacksonville. Here’s a preview, prediction and how to watch.

This weekend is the annual showdown between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 51-43-2.

This game formerly known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” is a pivotal matchup in the SEC East. Both the No. 6 Florida Gators and the No. 8 Georgia Bulldogs come into this game with one loss. The winner of this game has sole possession of first place in the SEC East.

The Gators are the surprise of the SEC this season. They’ve exceeded expectations in year two under Dan Mullen. The Gator pass rush leads the SEC in sacks. Kyle Trask has stepped in and played better than expected in relief of Feliepe Franks.

The Bulldogs, also with one loss, come into this game with a few question marks. They are averaging 19 points per game in their last two contests, and quarterback Jake Fromm has thrown only nine touchdown passes this season. Can the Gators continue playing well and can the Bulldogs score enough to keep up with the high flying Gators?

Here is more information about the game:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 2
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Jacksonville, Fla.
Venue: TIAA Bank Field
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

The Gators have to protect Trask. Their offensive line is retooled, but the Bulldogs aren’t known for their pass rush. Conversely, the Bulldogs have to protect Fromm. The Bulldogs offensive line play has been good, but not up to expectations. The Gators have four legit pass rushers that can get to Fromm without blitzing.

D’Andre Swift has to be huge if the Bulldogs have a chance in this one. He has to keep the defense honest and the pass rush of the Gators off Fromm. The Gators are getting healthy. Defensive ends Jabbari Zuniga and Jonathan Greenard are 100 percent healthy for the game. Gators swiss army knife wide receiver Kedarius Toney, who hasn’t played since game two, returns for the contest as well.

Prediction

Georgia is going to have fits with this Gators defense. They are going to have all kinds of issues with the Gators’ pass rush and secondary. The Bulldogs have struggled enough with the passing game which is why Swift has to have a huge day because the Bulldogs are going to have a tough time throwing the football.

The Gators are playing with house money. They aren’t supposed to be this good this quickly and weren’t supposed to be a playoff contender. Trask needs to play within himself and Lamical Perine needs to keep those safeties back by running the ball well. The Georgia passing game is worrisome which is why I have to go with the Gators here.

Final Score: Florida 24, Georgia 14