Here we go! It’s Game day. The Dawgs vs. the Gators. It would be a waste of the written word to talk any more about the history of game; what it means to each team; how it generally dictates which team goes to play in Atlanta in December; and how the teams and fans hate each other’s “guts.” Not today, not on game day.
Today we look at the other tangibles and intangibles that will have an impact on the outcome of this game today, that are not generally a part of this game. Neither team has been very good this year. Georgia dropped four straight before hitting an upswing, winning the last three. Florida won its first four on the schedule before hitting a three game skid coming into today’s battle. So will Georgia continue its upswing and Florida its free fall, or will the Gators begin their comeback and Georgia look forward to only one other win against Idaho State?
Of course, the elephant in the room that we cannot ignore is Mark Richt’s future at Georgia, and as to whether or not he will have one after this season. If his Dawgs pull through on this, even if we drop to Auburn, his job is nice and secure for at least another year. Should the Dawgs lose today, with this average Florida team, especially if we get the typical shellacking we normally get from Florida, I believe that Mark’s bags will be packed; Florida State will pay Jimbo Fisher his severance package; and Mr. Richt will be headed to Tallahassee.
Generally speaking, in the Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech games, you can throw the yearly stats out the window as far as expectations of the final score, but they may have more of a bearing this year. So, just for “shits and giggles,” let’s take a look at some of the stats that make this game a little more interesting. In the first seven games, Florida averaged 32.14285714285714 points per game to Georgia’s 40.57142857142857. The Gator’s combined quarterback stats were 210 attempts, 130 completions, for a total of 1308 yards passing; Georgia’s was 202 attempts, 110 completions, for 1827 yards. Florida’s combined rushing yardage per game was 248 rushes for 995 yards to Georgia’s 290 rushes for 1230 yards.
So, folks, it appears to me that Georgia has the Gators beat statistically on paper; Georgia is on the upswing, Florida on the down; Georgia’s coach is playing for his job, Florida’s is not. On the other hand, will the Dawg’s Defense from the first half of the Kentucky game show up, or the one that limped into the second half? Will Blair Walsh continue a downturn on his kicking accuracy, or will he be his normal 100%? Will Georgia continue keeping good posture in regard to turnovers and penalties, as per the last three games, or will we have a lapse?
Yes, there are a ton of variables here. However, I think both teams will come out and play its best game of the season. Therefore the difference in the game will be the difference in the average scoring for the 2010 year, 8.5 points in Georgia’s favor. The final score, Georgia 28 Florida 20.
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By: Dawgman1973 (Gary K.) Lead-Blogger “Dawn of the Dawg”