Gators Know Importance of Georgia Game, More Early-Week Chatter
Tuesday, October 28, 2014 | Football, Volleyball, Scott Carter
Dante Fowler Jr., left, Leon Orr, center, and Neiron Ball against Georgia in 2013. (File photo)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The annual Florida-Georgia clash is four days away. Personally, this game has always been my favorite on the schedule.
The atmosphere in Jacksonville is unique with the stadium split down the middle – one side Orange and Blue, the other Red and Black.
This year's game has a little twist we haven't seen since 1970 – both teams will wear their home jerseys. Florida is technically the visitor this season and will be stationed on the East sideline across the field from the press box.
The SEC approved the home-jersey request during its annual spring meetings.
Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley told GatorZone.com in March the backstory of how the decision came to fruition.
“It's just something a little different. To be honest, a fan suggested it. He sent me a picture of what they used to do when Coach Spurrier was playing,'' Foley said. “He had a blue jersey on and whoever was tackling him had a red jersey on. It's a unique rivalry and just a little different something to do. There is no particular reason. Georgia agreed and we agreed. At the end of the day, you've still got to win the ballgame no matter what color jersey you have on. I think it's just a little something that makes the game even more unique.”
The Gators (3-3, 2-3 in SEC) enter this year's game a heavy underdog against the ninth-ranked Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1). While few seem to think the Gators have a chance, they are not looking at it that way as fans and media speculate about the future of head coach Will Muschamp.
Muschamp is 0-3 against Georgia, his alma mater.
“This game is huge,'' Gators safety Keanu Neal said Tuesday. “We've got to bring Florida back.”
“It's bigger than playing for the coaches,'' linebacker Neiron Ball said. “We're playing for the program. Our program is better than we've shown.”
The main storylines on the Florida side involve Muschamp and freshman quarterback Treon Harris, who will make his first career start Saturday. On the Georgia side, will Todd Gurley play or won't he?
Gurley has missed the past two games while school officials investigate whether he broke NCAA rules by signing memorabilia for profit. The NCAA is expected to make a ruling on Georgia's application for his reinstatement any day now.
The Gators have an idea of what the ruling will be.
“Absolutely. I would expect him to play,'' Muschamp said Monday. “He's an extremely talented running back. Todd Gurley's one of the best players in college football.”
For more flavor early in the week leading up to Saturday's game, here are some fresh links for your perusal:
--Gators offensive coordinator Kurt Roper told reporters Tuesday that less turnovers will equal more offense writes Antonya English of the Tampa Bay Times.
--Florida defensive end Dante Fowler has no plans to quit on the season and look toward the NFL writes David Jones of Florida Today.
--UF players confident ahead of Georgia game is lead topic in a notebook by Robbie Andreu of The Gainesville Sun.
--As a former Georgia captain, Muschamp's future is of interest in Georgia as Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Steve Hummer chimes in with his thoughts.
--Georgia a heavy favorite, but wary of hungry Gators writes Marc Weiszer of The Athens Banner-Herald.
