Instant Analysis: Florida-Georgia

When the Georgia Bulldogs did score a touchdown on Saturday afternoon in Jacksonville, they were not in a position to celebrate with gusto. That’s because they trailed mighty Florida by 40 points at the time. One year made a big difference for Urban Meyer’s Gators, who learned their lessons after suffering a particularly humiliating defeat against their archrival from Athens.

One year ago, it was Florida who watched with horror, right around the time of Halloween, as the Dawgs cracked the 40-point mark in this ballyhooed border war. One year ago, it was Mark Richt’s men who tenderized Tim Tebow while dominating up front on both sides of the ball. One year ago, it was Florida who imploded and made the game’s biggest mistakes.

This year, everything changed, as the Dawgs’ mojo in this rivalry proved to be short-lived.

Florida rang up more than 40 points this year, as Tim Tebow—while not necessarily spectacular—executed in clutch situations, particularly in the red zone. This season, Matthew Stafford—not the defending Heisman Trophy winner—received a prolonged period of punishment, as Florida’s front seven forced the decorated Georgia quarterback to limp around in the second quarter. The steady stream of sticks delivered by Brandon Spikes and company prevented No. 7 from feeling comfortable in the pocket for any sustained stretch of time. This was never more apparent than on the play that put the Dawgs to sleep in the third quarter.

With his team trailing 14-3 but on the move at the Florida 30, Stafford had a chance to pull his team within one possession of the Gators. Despite two missed field goals in the first half, plus a penalty that wiped out a Tebow interception and led to a Gator touchdown, Georgia still stood within striking distance in the first few minutes after halftime. Even a field goal would have enabled the Bulldogs to stay on Florida’s heels, enough—perhaps—to take a competitive contest into the fourth quarter. It was at precisely this time, however, when Stafford’s emergent physical frailties got the better of him.

Stafford—displaying the reflexes of a player who has received a few too many shots—didn’t step into a deep out throw the way he normally does. The man with the best NFL-caliber arm in all of college football left his throw short, and Florida cornerback Joe Haden took advantage by not only picking off the pass, but returning it 88 yards to the UGA 1. The ensuing Florida touchdown made the game 21-3, and the rout was on. More turnovers flowed from Stafford as the second half continued, and despite a relatively even stat sheet—more even than any observer might possibly be able to believe—the Gators rolled to the easy romp, gaining both revenge and, more importantly, a stranglehold on the SEC East. It would take a miracle at this point—otherwise known as consecutive losses to both Vanderbilt and South Carolina—for the Gators to not reach the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome on Dec. 6.

No miracles were needed for Florida against Georgia, however. By winning the turnover battle, displaying far more physicality, and ruling the red zone on both sides of the ball, Urban Meyer’s team finds itself in good position to win back the conference crown that Georgia took from the Gators last season. As long as this roster remains focused, Florida will prove to be a formidable foe for the SEC West winner on the first weekend of December.