The 2021 rendition of the annual Florida-Georgia game features two teams in the middle of two different seasons.
The Georgia Bulldogs have obliterated all opponents on the way to a No. 1 ranking. Led by its defense, Georgia has allowed a maximum of 13 points in a game this season and is coming off a 30-13 trashing of Kentucky, who beat Florida 20-13.
Meanwhile, the Florida Gators left Death Valley dejected after a 49-42 upset loss to LSU two weeks ago. They fell to 4-3 on the year and entered a much-needed bye week with more questions than answers. At first look, this game is lopsided.
Quarterback remains one of the biggest questions surrounding Florida. Incumbent starter Emory Jones has struggled this season, tossing 10 touchdowns to nine interceptions. Meanwhile, freshman backup Anthony Richardson has looked every bit the part of a future star, making the impossible look routine. Florida fans have been shouting for Richardson to take the reins for weeks now, and the switch seemed to occur in the second half of the LSU game. Jones tossed a bad interception, and Richardson replaced him, leading the Gators on four straight touchdown drives.
However, head coach Dan Mullen has yet to commit to either quarterback for Saturday, telling media during the week he plans on playing both quarterbacks the same way he has the majority of the season.
Florida fans most likely won’t get an answer on the starting quarterback until gametime, but Mullen said people should be more concerned with who finishes the game than who starts it.
Perhaps fans should be most concerned with the Gators defense. After being solid in run defense for most of the season prior to their trip to Baton Rouge — allowing 108.5 rushing yards per game — the Gators were steamrolled for 321 yards on the ground against a bad LSU rushing attack. Tyrion Davis-Price broke the LSU single-game rushing record with 287 yards by himself — he only went over 100 yards one other time previously this season.
The Florida run defense will be an important factor in the outcome of Saturday’s game. Georgia averages 192.7 rushing yards per game, and running backs Zamir White and James Cook provide a lethal one-two punch. Georgia will be without its third-leading rusher, Kendall Milton, who is expected to miss multiple weeks with a knee injury. However, the combo of White and Cook plus the mobility of quarterback Stetson Bennett IV is more than enough to keep Mullen and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham up at night.
Speaking of Bennett, Georgia’s quarterback situation is also in limbo. The presumed starter entering 2021, JT Daniels, has missed time with an injury, and Bennett has played well in relief. Head coach Kirby Smart has embraced his inner Mullen and been noncommittal about naming a quarterback. There is a real chance fans see four quarterbacks take the field Saturday.
While Florida’s defense is a weakness, Georgia’s defense is the definition of a strength. The ‘Dawgs have been nothing short of historic this season, allowing just 6.6 points and 207.1 yards per game — both figures pacing the country. Led by a ferocious front seven, Georgia is tied for the SEC lead in sacks with 24. The interior of the defensive line is especially impressive. Devonte Wyatt, Jalen Carter and of course Jordan Davis have wreaked havoc on opposing backfields. Davis has even received Heisman buzz, which former Bulldog and current Gator Brenton Cox Jr is in support of.
“Oh, yeah, I'm all for it, give him the Heisman,” Cox Jr. told media Tuesday. “I’ve seen him improve over the years… Everything looks good. Good guy. Good player.”
Florida’s rushing offense has been its calling card this season, averaging 254.4 yards per game on the ground, the second-most in the SEC. Malik Davis, Dameon Pierce, Nay’Quan Wright and Co. have yet to face a rushing defense as talented as Georgia, though, and they may have trouble finding holes to run through.
Georgia’s pass defense is also nothing to scoff at. The Bulldogs boast the highest PFF coverage grade in the country (94.5) and allowed just 144.9 passing yards per game, the fewest in the SEC. Stuart Steele, a writer for Georgia’s student newspaper The Red and Black, pointed out that the cornerback group is relatively inexperienced and could potentially give up some big plays against quality opponents. Whether it be Jones or Richardson, Florida has to create jump plays in the passing game to keep this game competitive.
The last time Georgia was No. 1 entering The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party was 1942: The Bulldogs demolished the Gators 75-0. While Saturday shouldn’t get to that point, UGA is far-and-away the top team in the country, and UF will have its hands full all afternoon.
The rivalry resumes from TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville at 3:30 p.m. and will broadcast live on CBS.
Contact Michael Hull at mhull@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @Michael_Hull33.
Michael Hull is a fourth-year journalism sports & media major and a sports writer at The Alligator. He hosts the weekly sports podcast and has worked on staff for five semesters. In the past, Hull has served as the sports editor, the men's and women's golf beat writer, the volleyball beat writer and the football beat writer.
