Gators Head To Jacksonville For Annual Showdown With Georgia
Friday, October 28, 2011 | Football
FLORIDA (4-3, 2-3 SEC) vs. GEORGIA (5-2, 4-1)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29 – 3:30PM ET
EVERBANK FIELD
(Florida will be the home team this year)
GAMEDAY INFORMATION | BROADCAST INFORMATION
Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Pre-Game Notes (.pdf)
For the first time in the history of the series, both the Florida Gators (4-3, 2-3 SEC) and Georgia Bulldogs (5-2, 4-1 SEC) enjoyed a much needed bye week before heading to Jacksonville, Fla., for the annual meeting between the two Southeastern Conference Eastern Division rivals.
The series between Florida and Georgia dates back to 1915 and the Bulldogs hold a 46-40-2 all-time advantage. In Jacksonville, UGA holds a 40-37-1 lead in the series over the Gators. Although Georgia leads the overall series, UF has been dominant in recent history. Since 1990, Florida is 18-3 against UGA, including an 8-2 mark in the last 10 meetings.
Head coach Will Muschamp is very familiar with the Florida-Georgia tradition, having played at UGA from 1991-94 and also facing Georgia numerous times as an assistant coach. While at Auburn (1995-96 as G.A.; 2006-07 as Def. Coordinator), Muschamp had a 1-3 record against the Bulldogs and as the def. coordinator at LSU he was 1-1 against UGA.
This week's game will mark the fourth in a row for Florida against a ranked opponent in the AP Top 25 poll. UF has faced No. 3 Alabama, No. 1 LSU and No. 24 Auburn and Georgia enters ranked No. 22 in the current poll. The last time Florida faced four ranked teams in consecutive weeks during the regular season was in 1971 (the year current head coach Will Muschamp was born) and it went 1-3 in those games. During the 2001 season the Gators played three ranked opponents to end the season and faced a ranked opponents in their bowl game.
Last Time Playing Four-Consecutive Ranked Opponents
1971 - Regular Season
9/25 #8 Alabama L 0-38
10/2 #12 Tennessee L 13-20
10/9 at #16 LSU L 7-48
10/16 #19 Florida State W 17-15
2001 - Regular Season Plus Bowl Game
11/10 at #14 South Carolina W 54-17
11/17 #20 Florida State W 37-13
12/1 #5 Tennessee* L 32-34
1/2 vs. #6 Maryland (Orange Bowl) W 56-23
*originally scheduled 9/15; postponed due to events of 9/11
Setting The Stage:
As GatorZone.com Senior Writer Scott Carter writes, Florida-Georgia adds new characters but the unique appeal remains unchanged.
Having been out with an injury since the first half of the Alabama game, John Brantley's potential return could provide just the boost the Gators are looking for.
The Gators have won three straight in the series with Georgia, much in part due to a 12-1 advantage in turnovers in those three games. Much of their success Saturday will be dictated by their ability to pressure Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray and force turnovers.
After being injured against LSU and missing the Auburn game, Florida head coach Will Muschamp said speedster Jeff Demps appears to be ready to go against Georgia.
For complete coverage leading up to the game, during and after, visit GatorZone.com. Also, follow us on Twitter: @GatorZoneNews and @GatorZoneScott and on Facebook: Facebook.com/FloridaGators
