Georgia vs Florida Preview: Kirby Smart's Bulldogs can't sleep on the Gators
The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party kicks off this weekend as the Georgia Bulldogs (6-1) get ready to take on the Florida Gators (4-3). Many have slept on the Gators this year but they've faced some very tough teams and for the most part, have kept things pretty close. The Gators will start true freshman quarterback […]
The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party kicks off this weekend as the Georgia Bulldogs (6-1) get ready to take on the Florida Gators (4-3).
Many have slept on the Gators this year but they've faced some very tough teams and for the most part, have kept things pretty close.
The Gators will start true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway after they lost Graham Mertz to a season-ending injury that he suffered in their 23-17 loss to Tennessee.
One might think that's an easy job for Georgia's defense to shut down, but if the Bulldogs have taught us anything this season it's that while they are physical, they are not always consistent. We saw that in their loss to Alabama and when they let Mississippi State and their freshman quarterback put up 31 points.
Head coach Kirby Smart had some high remarks for Lagway, who in his second start against Kentucky showed off his elite arm strength, completing 7 of 14 passes for 259 yards as the Wildcats went on to win 48-20. Lagway also used his legs and had 10 carries for an additional 46 yards in the victory.
"First off he's a tremendous talent," Smart said. "His arm talent and arm strength itself is elite. He has great size. He can make all the throws. He's got a couple of really wow throws. I think for his age and experience he's ahead of his time in terms of his pocket movement and management. A lot of freshmen abort the pocket and run out of it. He does a good job stepping up through it, and he's made several plays where he trusted the pocket and steps up and makes really good throws. He threw the deep ball really well, obviously, last game against Kentucky.
"It's not so much the change. Obviously, he has a running ability, but Graham is a good athlete too. It's not a huge change between the two in terms of what they ask him to do. I think he's capable of making explosives, and they've got the extra element in the quarterback run when they need it. They don't do it a ton, but when they need it, he can do it. He's large. I mean, he's big. He's hard to tackle."
Of course, Lagway isn't going to be perfect but he's going to throw those risky deep balls that Georgia's secondary hasn't been the best at covering.
And then there is Florida's run game that has carried them all season and features star back Montrell Johnson Jr., but Georgia's run defense is something fans can count on and they shouldn't have any problems shutting him down.
Florida's defense on the other hand has been winning their turnover battles in recent weeks and might be able to take advantage of Carson Beck's lack of any real connection with his receivers.
Ultimately, Georgia should win this one but it's not going to be easy. After all, the Dawgs haven't really made any win look easy this season.
Georiga is favored to win by 14.5 points with the over/under set at 52.5. The Bulldogs lead the series with 56 wins while the Gators have won 44. Georgia has also won the last three matchups.
