Thanks to South Carolina’s 27-24 win over Missouri in overtime Saturday night, Georgia’s flickering hopes of three-peating as SEC Eastern Division champions remain alive, if just barely. So, of course, are the fleeting hopes for Florida as well.
Both teams still have a mathematical shot at reaching the Georgia Dome. And that is absolutely dependent upon a win this Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla.
With a victory over the Gamecocks already, Georgia (4-3, 3-2 SEC) could put itself in prime position to snatch the top spot should Missouri stumble two more times down the stretch. The Gators (4-3, 3-2), who lost to Missouri on Oct. 19, play at South Carolina on Nov. 16 and would remain in the mix with a win over the Bulldogs.
Knowing all this, Georgia coach Mark Richt struggled to watch the Gamecocks-Tigers game. He said actually turned it off after Missouri went out to 17-0 lead.
“It was really painful so I quit watching it,” Richt said. “I picked it back up when it was 17-7 and from that point on, it was pretty painful well as well. But at the very end, it came out pretty good.”
Missouri had a short field goal bounce off an upright to lose in the second overtime.
Richt said knowing the mathematical possibility still exists for the East title does provide some motivation.
“Knowing that we’re still trying to win the East, knowing we’re needing help and everything, it certainly provided more motivation for me,” he said. “I’m sure it will for the players as well.”
Health will play a huge factor in this year’s Georgia-Florida contest. Both teams have been decimated by injuries to prominent players. Depending on availability Saturday, as many as 13 starters could miss the game.
Florida will be without five starters: quarterback Jeff Driskel (ankle), wide receiver Andre DeBose (knee), running back Matt Jones (knee), defensive tackle Dominique Easley (knee) and tackle Chaz Green (shoulder). Defensive end Ronald Powell (ankle), linebacker Darrin Kitchens (shoulder) and noseguard Damien Jacobs (concussion) also missed the last game. Powell should return but the others remain undetermined.
Meanwhile, Richt indicated on Sunday the Bulldogs will likely be without wide receiver Chris Conley. Georgia’s leading receiver sprained an ankle on the last play of the game against Vanderbilt, leaving the Bulldogs without their four top receivers. Junior Michael Bennett is expected to return to practice this week from a knee injury that sidelined him on Oct. 5 but his availability for Saturday’s game will be dependent on his performance this week.
Georgia also is hoping to get back leading rusher Todd Gurley, who returned to practice last week for the first time since a Sept. 28 ankle injury, and free safety Tray Matthews (hamstring). Richt was not sure about strong safety Josh Harvey-Clemons, who hasn’t been on the field since spraining his foot in the first half against Vanderbilt.
In the meantime, the Bulldogs lost backup linebacker Reggie Carter to a knee injury during its first of two practices last week. Richt still did not have a definitive answer on Carter’s condition but said they’re “expecting a good result.”
Whether that means another player down for Florida is unclear. But Richt said the Bulldogs are determined to not let injuries define their season.
“We’re not feeling sorry for ourselves,” Richt said. “I doubt Florida is feeling sorry for themselves. I think both teams know if we win, we stay in the race for the East. So that’s nothing to feel bad about.”
