Final score predictions for Florida vs. Georgia: Will Billy Napier’s firing catapult the Gators to an upset win?
This is primed to be another classic game in the bitter rivalry down south.
It may not be called the Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, but it’s still viewed like that among the fanbases of the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs.
It’s a similar sight that we’ve seen over the past few meetings, where the Bulldogs are one of the top contenders to win the national championship. On the other side of the field, the Gators are in a much different spot, facing another head coaching search, their fifth one since Urban Meyer left the program after the 2010 season.
Even with the turmoil in Gainesville, this has still been a very competitive rivalry, even though the Bulldogs have won seven of the past eight games. Our staff at A to Z Sports predicted this game, and it looks to be a close one.
History of Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party
- Georgia leads the all-time series 57-44-2, or 56-44-2 per Florida. The 1904 game is disputed by the Gators.
- This will be the last game played at EverBank Field until 2028, as the game will go to each campus while they renovate in Jacksonville.
- Each team has a seven game winning streak in the history of this rivalry, with Georgia holding a four-game streak currently
Georgia 27, Florida 26
This is a heated rivalry game, and Georgia is certainly a better football team. However, this Gators team was taking it to Georgia last year before DJ Lagway got hurt at the end of the second quarter and it was still a competitive game with a walk on at quarterback in Aidan Warner.
This year, things are a little different. The Gators just fired Billy Napier and are going into the game with interim head coach Billy Gonzales taking the Gators into Jacksonville with a great mindset. This game is going to be closer than many anticipate, mainly due to the Gators likely getting that interim head coach bump. However, they will come up just short on the day, with Georgia finding a way to get the win at the end of the game after the Gators come up short on a two-point conversion. – Tyler Forness, A to Z Florida
Georgia 32, Florida 17
The Georgia Bulldogs are clicking at just the right time, and they’re starting to look like a complete, confident team heading into this matchup, which isn’t great news for the Florida Gators.
Florida, on the other hand, is dealing with plenty of chaos after firing head coach Billy Napier over the weekend. A move like that can either light a spark or completely throw a team off, and right now, it’s hard to say which way things will go. Florida quarterback DJ Lagway hasn’t helped much either and leads the SEC with nine interceptions and has struggled to stay consistent against tougher defenses.
If that continues, Georgia’s defense should have a field day with the turnover battle. Expect the Bulldogs to set the tone early, and add another win in this historic rivalry. – Kelsey Kramer, A to Z Georgia
Georgia 30, Florida 22
The Florida Gators are getting the interim coach bump as they head into one of the most notable rivalries in college football. Billy Napier is gone, and the Gators are well rested after a bye. Because of that, I expect this game to be closer than it probably should be, but the Georgia Bulldogs are also coming off a bye, and they are the much better team. The Gators’ defensive line will try and slow the Bulldogs’ rushing attack, but I expect Kirby Smart to make life tough on QB DJ Lagway, giving the Bulldogs the edge on Saturday afternoon. – Rob Gregson, A to Z Alabama
Georgia 33, Florida 23
Georgia can’t rush the pass rusher in any conventional way (127th in sacks among FBS teams). Their defense has missed 40+ tackles this season, missing eight of them against Ole Miss, leading to five consecutive touchdowns allowed in that game. The Bulldogs rank 64th in adjusted EPA (expected points added) per play allowed on defense too. The good news? None of that matters because Florida is a dumpster fire. DJ Lagway has thrown nine interceptions, taken 16 sacks, and fumbled three times. They just fired their head coach. The Gators freshman wide receivers and their run defense are fun, but that’s about it. The Bulldogs win this one by multiple possessions after their typical “playing with their food” shenanigans early on. Georgia wins thanks to a handful of big plays from Gunner Stockton on the ground and through the air. – Travis May, A to Z CFB Managing Editor
Final Prediction for Florida vs. Georgia
All four analysts believe that Georgia is going to win the game, but the consensus is that it won’t be a blowout with the average being Georgia 30.5, Florida 22. A one-score game for a rivalry of this magnitude with the talent levels of each team being similar (despite their on-field performances being so different) makes all the sense in the world.
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