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here: Georgia
Bulldogs vs. Florida Gators Pick.
Georgia Bulldogs (4-3, 2-5 ATS) vs. No. 1 Florida Gators (7-0, 2-3-1 ATS)
Municipal Stadium Jacksonville, F.L. Saturday October 31st, 3:30PM Eastern
By Jay Horne of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Georgia +16/Florida -16
Over/Under: 49.5
One of the greatest rivalries in college football will renew this Saturday in what is called “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.” The number 1 ranked Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs will collide on neutral turf as they do annually in this rivalry meeting down in Jacksonville, Florida. These two SEC powerhouses have plenty of animosity for each other and that has presented some great football over the years for one of the best rivalries that is still played on a neutral site.
Remember “The Gator Stomp” in 2007 when the entire Georgia bench left the sideline to celebrate a touchdown which fueled their big underdog victory 42-30. The Gators got a lot of revenge last year thumping the Bulldogs 49-10 in route to their National Title, but rest assured Georgia will be trying to derail any National Championship paths when the two collide this Saturday.
As for the top ranked Gators, they have appeared anything but dominate in recent weeks giving this game even more anticipation to be a battle to the end. Florida has struggled with the likes of Arkansas and Mississippi State but nonetheless has pulled out the close victories to regain the top ranking in the country. The Gators passing offense has really struggled in recent weeks taking away their explosive factor.
QB Tim Tebow threw a season high 2 picks last week and 0 touchdowns. Tebow is averaging just 165 yards per game through the air and their just has not been enough big plays. WR Riley Cooper is the only true down the field threat, but Cooper has not had over 100 yards in a game this season since the opener. Cooper and tight end Aaron Hernandez of course provide consistent targets for Tebow, but they need more game breaking type plays to give the Gators their explosiveness back.
Of course Florida can still line up and win every game on their schedule just with their talented running backs. Tebow actually leads the team in rushing often taking carries from the shotgun formation. Tebow has 466 yards on 121 attempts for the season. However, Jeffery Demps and Chris Rainey are the true difference makers in the backfield. All of the Gators backs have the ability to break open a big play on any given down, but Demps has been most affective averaging 8 yards per carry.
Demps has 457 yards on the year, but was held to a season low 5 carries for 13 yards last week against Mississippi State. If Demps does not get it going again against the Bulldogs, Florida will struggle. Tailbacks Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moody are both highly affective backs as well. If Georgia can keep these talented running backs contained, they will have a good shot at pulling of an upset based on how Florida has thrown the football.
On the Bulldogs side of the field they are facing a rather shocking 4-3 record on the season and will be on the verge of being at the .500 mark if they don’t pull off the upset. That is rather surprising considering how strong Georgia was expected to be. Georgia has also had problems on offense like their counterparts. QB Joe Cox has thrown 9 interceptions through the first 7 games with 13 touchdowns. However, Cox has thrown a pick in every game this season. Georgia has had to throw the ball perhaps more than expected this year since the running game has became extinct in recent weeks.
If Cox is to get the job done he will have to pick apart a very good Florida secondary. However, they have just the playmaker on the outside to get the job done. WR A.J. Green is among the most under rated wide outs in college football, but all he does is make big plays. Green has 41 catches on the season and an SEC best 682 yards with 6 touchdowns. There has not been any corner in the SEC that has proved worthy of stopping Green and that will be the Bulldogs go to guy this Saturday.
Jay’s Pick – Florida hasn’t been rolling teams lately. I ilke the Bulldogs to stick within the spread. Take Georgia +16.