The Florida Gators and the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs will restore their hate for each other Saturday when the two sides meet in Jacksonville. Former head coach Steve Spurrier spoke to Florida in preparation for the game, and he had a simple message, sophomore linebacker Shemar James said.
"Beat the Dawgs.”
The Gators (5-2, 3-1 SEC) still control their destiny in the SEC East but will face their biggest test all season against the reigning back-to-back national champion Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0 SEC). Florida is riding a two-game winning streak into the matchup.
UF head coach Billy Napier is making sure his team is focused on themselves rather than getting caught up in playing the No. 1 team in the nation, he said.
“I think the key here is we focus on the things we can control,” Napier said Wednesday. “Oftentimes, this game is about not screwing it up as it is making a play. We want to go over there with the intention of making things happen.
Georgia’s undefeated start this season has been with a new signal caller. Quarterback Carson Beck has taken over the reins for former UGA quarterback Stetson Bennett.
Beck, a Jacksonville native, has thrown for 2,147 yards on a 73.6% completion percentage. He’s also tossed 12 touchdown passes and four interceptions.
However, Beck will be without his top pass catcher for the first time this season. Tight end Brock Bowers suffered a high ankle sprain against Vanderbilt Oct. 14 and underwent tightrope surgery meaning he’ll miss significant time.
Bowers, who is arguably one of the best players in the country, led Georgia in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Despite his absence, the team still boasts several talented players who will look to fill the void left by Bowers.
One name in particular is backup tight end Oscar Delp. In limited playing time, he’s caught 13 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Delp, a former four-star recruit, will look to step up for the injured Bowers.
"That guy has made plays this year, too,” Napier said about Delp. “It's plug-and-play. I do have a ton of respect for the caliber of player Brock Bowers is. He's certainly a generational talent."
The Bulldogs also feature a talented receiver room with names like Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, and the highly-touted transfer duo of Rara Thomas and Dominic Lovett.
While his numbers have not stood out due to a back injury earlier in the season, wide receiver Ladd McConkey could make a major impact in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
He’s made just nine receptions for 107 yards in three games this season but finished second in receptions and receiving yards last season to go with seven touchdown catches.
The Bulldogs run game has also been efficient. Running back Daijun Edwards is averaging 5.8 yards per carry. He’s rushed for 460 yards and six touchdowns in five games this season.
Georgia’s strength during its national championship runs has been its defense, and that’s no different this season. The Bulldogs boast a strong squad, and Napier acknowledged it.
“I think they do a fantastic job,” Napier said Monday. “I think the personnel is really good. Height, length, really good players at every level of the defense. Going to have to earn everything.”
The Bulldogs’ total defense ranks No. 6 in the nation in yards allowed, according to the NCAA. Georgia’s passing defense is also only allowing 178.3 yards per game, which is good for No. 13 in the country, according to TeamRankings.
Georgia’s stout defense has been led by a strong secondary. Defensive back Malaki Starks is only in his sophomore season but has already blossomed into one of the best in the conference. He has two interceptions, four pass breakups and 25 total tackles on the season.
Defensive back Tykee Smith leads the team in interceptions with four and Kamari Lassiter is another talented player in the secondary with four pass breakups.
The Bulldogs also feature a strong defensive front. Linebacker Smael Mondon, Jr. leads the team in tackles with 32 and also has three tackles for loss and two sacks.
Napier noted how Georgia’s defense does a great job at forcing third-and-longs, and UF will need to emphasize staying ahead of schedule, he said.
The Gators will also need to rely on their offensive line to keep the ball moving and stay on schedule. Florida will get a boost in the line after the Week 9 depth chart revealed redshirt junior center Kingsley Eguakun will be back starting at center.
“I think the offensive line is going to play a big part in this game,” said sophomore offensive lineman Austin Barber Wednesday. “If we play good we have some guys there that can make plays.”
The Bulldogs have won their past 24 games, which includes two National Championships, one conference championship and a 7-0 start to this season.
“24-0 is great, but they have to come play us,” Barber said.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville. The game will be broadcast on CBS.
Contact Jackson Reyes at jacksonreyes@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @JacksnReyes.
Jackson Reyes is a UF journalism senior and The Alligator's Fall 2023 Sports Editor. He previously served as Digital Managing Editor and was a reporter and assistant editor on the sports desk. In his free time, he enjoys collecting records, long walks on the beach and watching Bo Nix.
