Georgia vs. Florida
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m./CBS
Records: Georgia (4-3, 3-2 SEC), Florida (4-3, 3-2 SEC)
Series record: Georgia leads the series 49–40–2.
1. Gurley back in action.
For the first time in three games, the Bulldogs will have tailback Todd Gurley back in their I-formation offense. The sophomore was suffered an ankle injury with 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter of the Sept. 28 win over LSU. Georgia lost tailback Keith Marshall to a season-ending knee injury the following week, so the Bulldogs’ running game has been depleted, which contributed to losses to Missouri and Vanderbilt.
2. Beat up teams.
Georgia will be missing three other offensive starters in this game due to injuries in wide receivers Malcolm Mitchell, Justin Scott-Wesley and have had as many as eight starters sidelined for extended periods by injuries on both sides of the ball this season. But the Bulldogs will get no sympathy from the Florida. The Gators are expected to be without six starters six starters for Saturday’s contest, including quarterback Jeff Driskel, running back Matt Jones and star defensive lineman Dominique Easley.
3. Three’s the number.
The Bulldogs will be going for their third straight win against Florida. If they get it, it will be Georgia's first three-game winning streak in the series since 1987-89, when they were making the transition from coach Vince Dooley to Ray Goff. Quarterback Aaron Murray, a native Floridian, will also be going for his third win over the Gators. And he needs three TD passes to become the SEC's career leader in that category.
Matchup to watch
UGA passing game vs. Florida DBs: As important as Gurley’s return is, Bennett’s return to the the receiving corps is just as important. And generating some passing game – particularly that of the vertical variety – is going to be critical. That’s no easy task as the Gators will bring the best defensive backfield in the SEC to EverBank Field. The Bulldogs couldn’t get the ball downfield in the loss at Vanderbilt as Murray managed just 114 yards. They’ll have to do better to win Saturday.
Tweet of the week
#tbt in honor of going back to Jacksonville. Malcolm's touchdown was one of the best feelings ever last year
@jtheus71 (Georgia OT John Theus, a Jacksonville native, with instagram photo of Malcolm Mitchell’s 45-yard TD catch that proved to be game-winner in 17-9 win over Florida last year)
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