Georgia vs. Florida: Four things that will decide the outcome
Georgia vs. Florida is only three days away. The Gators are trying to hold on to the SEC East, the Bulldogs are trying to be a spoiler.
Related Story: Georgia's blueprints for success against Florida.
Georgia and Florida may have different records and vastly different goals for the last few weeks of the 2016 season. But they are also very similar teams. Both Georgia and Florida have stout defenses that make up for struggling offenses.
Florida’s defense is one of the SEC’s best, while Georgia’s is good enough to keep Georgia competitive. However, Georgia has a more reliable and sometimes great offense, and Florida’s offense often leans towards mediocrity.
Something is going to have to give for one of these two teams to walk out of Jacksonville victorious on Saturday. Here are four areas where we might see the two teams give the most.
Turnovers
That is one of these teams biggest strengths. Georgia is plus 5 in the turnover margin while Florida is plus 4. Georgia is tied for ninth nationally while Florida is tied for fifth.
Georgia has committed 10 turnovers and Florida has committed nine. The Gators have picked off six passes and the Bulldogs have picked off five. They are almost even when it comes to turnovers. They excel in ball security as much as they excel in taking the ball away.
This game could come down to a crucial fumble or an interception. Or maybe multiple turnovers.
Special Teams
Georgia and Florida both have had highs and lows on special teams this season. Two special teams gaffs led to Georgia’s lost to Vanderbilt. And a special teams blunder helped Tennessee seal the victory against Florida.
Georgia has been searching for a kicking game but they may have found it with Rodrigo Blankenship two weeks ago. Florida struggled in the kicking game last year, but in 2016 they’ve been great. Both punters are also mostly reliable.
With two great defenses on the field, touchdowns may be in short supply so Georgia and Florida will need to make the field goals they attempt.
Passing Yards
It may be too much to ask of these two running games to carry their respective teams offenses. Georgia is ranked 44th nationally in rushing yards with 195.6. Florida is 57th with 181.8 yards per game.
Georgia’s run game is more capable of gaining yards with Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and Brian Herrien. But their offensive line has looked like one of the worst in the SEC in many games. Florida’s run game is an even bigger mess.
But Georgia has Jacob Eason, one of the best true freshmen quarterbacks in recent memory. Florida has Luke Del Rio who is very serviceable and reliable. Both are capable of making the clutch throws.
They don’t need to contribute much to the scoring but they can affect the final entry on this list…
Field Position
A common theme of most defense dominated games is the field position battle. Who can yield the least yards, who can put their offense closer to the end zone?
The previous three items on this list all culminate to this one. Turnovers, special teams and gaining a few first downs all effect the field position battle.
These are two great defenses but even they can’t survive all game with their backs closer to the end zone. Sometimes it can get to a point where even a three-and-out can lead to a field goal. And safeties are always a threat in games like that.
Georgia vs. Florida could come to whoever can just get the most first downs and the best punts that lead to eventual points.