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Keys to the Game - Georgia vs. Florida

By John Harris
October 26, 2012

Photo: sonney kennedy photography

I've been to a few rivalry games over the years and the one I'd love to see every year is the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville.  I used to live on the other side of the St. John's River, a mere mile from the Gator Bowl -- and yes, I refuse to call it anything else. It is the GATOR BOWL.

We saw RVs lined up across the river starting on Monday night.  I remember my wife having driven over the Hart Bridge calling me asking if there was something going on down by the river because it was Tuesday night, it was packed and she was startled.  I told her it was Florida-Georgia week.  'Nuff said.

Keys to a Florida win

1.  Hammer RB Mike Gillislee at the Dawgs early and often, then spring QB Jeff Driskel on zone reads.

2.  Keep TE Jordan Reed involved in the passing game, isolate him on safety or even OLB.

3.  Get off blocks up front and keep LB Jonathan Bostic and Jelani Jenkins clean to stop running game.

Florida Players to Watch

1.  DE #2 Dominique Easley - Been banged up lately, but got in the backfield for a sack against South Carolina.

2.  CB #15 Loucheiz Purifoy - Making big plays from his corner spot, but Georgia has to challenge him down the field.

3.  S #22 Matt Elam - It's just pure enjoyment watching this young man play the game.

Keys to a Georgia win

1.  Compete and tackle.  Tackle and compete.  Pretty simple, really

2.  Load the box late, bring the safeties into the mix late in the snap count or just as the ball is being snapped.

3.  Relentlessly run the ball but OL MUST get to the second level repeatedly

Georgia Players to Watch

1.  LB #9 Alec Ogletree - Loaded with talent, but needs an extraordinary game stopping the run and slowing down the UF offense.

2.  RT #71 John Theus - I love this true freshman who is returning to where he played high school ball (Bolles HS in Jacksonville, FL).

3.  WR #12 Tavarres King - Can he get open to make big plays in this game to open up the offense?

Conclusion

I know I'm going to regret this, but I've zeroed in on this as my upset of the weekend.  Why?  Well, Georgia has one opportunity to save the season.  One 60 minute effort.  Play this one like it's the SEC East championship game.  Sack up, get on the same page and compete.

Don't think about winning, but in winning, the Dawgs would move to the front of the SEC East pack with two winnable games left on the schedule.  As bad as it's been for Georgia since that night in Columbia, the two losses by South Carolina have put the Dawgs right back it's always wanted to be - in Jacksonville with a shot to win the SEC East.  Georgia has often been its own worst enemy, but if the defense heeds S Shawn Williams' strong words and slow Florida's offense, QB Aaron Murray then has to relish being the Man this one time.

Georgia - 23 vs. Florida - 17

 

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