Georgia Football: Five most important players for Florida game

Elijah Holyfield, RB:

I wrote all about Holyfield earlier this week but there was a reason for it. As good as D’Andre Swift is, Holyfield has become the running back that I think should probably be the bell cow for this Georgia running game right now. Just like Sony Michel was the more effective runner last season rather than Nick Chubb, the same is now true with Holyfield and Swift.

They’re different players of course. Swift is shiftier and terrific out of the backfield whereas Holyfield is much more of the power type back that we all remember from Chubb. However, Swift has struggled with injuries this season and has also had some critical drops at times where Georgia really did not need them. Holyfield, on the other hand, has become more consistent and versatile than many thought possible and does look like a completely different player now in his junior year.

Holyfield is already in the Florida defense’s heads. They want to try and knock him out of the game with a kill shot to show the world how ‘tough’ they are. Well as I said in my column, that’s just fine with me, because kill shots are not tackles. If Florida defenders go high on Holyfield instead of using proper technique to tackle him, there’s a better than average chance that he just keeps on rumbling as we’ve already seen this year. That means lots of yards on a day where grounding and pounding will be key.

I expect both backs to get some significant carries this week. After the LSU game, I think Georgia will get back to the running game and so Holyfield is going to be critical. There is nothing more disheartening for a defense than constantly getting run over by a guy that they know is getting the ball, but they simply can’t stop him as he makes 8, 10 and 12-yard gains. That grind destroys a defenses spirit and that’s exactly what UGA needs to go out and secure the win this weekend.