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Gamebreakers On Both Sides Today For Gators, Dawgs

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By MICK ELLIOTT

melliott@tampatrib.com

Published: October 31, 2008

Updated: 11/01/2008 01:07 am

JACKSONVILLE - Even by the preposterous standards of this matchup, today's meeting between longtime rivals Florida and Georgia needs only to kick off to assume legendary status among the 87 games in the series.

Both teams enter the nationally televised meeting ranked among the nation's top 10 - Florida fifth, Georgia eighth - for the fifth time in history, and the game most likely will decide the SEC Eastern Division title. The winner figures to earn serious consideration in the national championship picture. And then there's the matter of Georgia's 42-30 upset last year and the hard feelings for Florida that came with it.

All of which are wonderful ingredients for producing a gold-standard afternoon in a heated college football rivalry. But on this particular day at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, there are at least a dozen more important reasons to expect something memorable.

In no particular order, they are: Matthew Stafford, Tim Tebow, Knowshon Moreno, Percy Harvin, A.J. Green, Jeffrey Demps ....

We could go on, but you get the picture.

"There are a lot of storylines in this one on both sides," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "Without question, this will be a classic."

Here's why: Today's Florida-Georgia game is to playmakers what Joe Biden is to rhetorical flourish.

"No doubt," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "We have finally got at least our share of those kinds of players, guys who make that kind of impact. Florida, it seems like for years, has had those kind of playmakers.

"Coach Meyer has recruited toward that and has it. You don't stop teams like Florida. You try to slow them down a bit and hope you play well enough offensively and on special teams to make up the difference."

Georgia seems to somehow be getting by, too.

Stafford, the Bulldogs' junior quarterback, leads the SEC in passing yards (243) and total offense (250) per game and is second in passing efficiency. Moreno, the sophomore running back who had 188 yards and three touchdowns against the Gators last year, is second in the SEC in rushing with 115 yards per game. Green, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound freshman, leads the SEC in receiving yards per game (82).

Florida answers with Tebow, its Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who tops the conference in passing efficiency and is second to Stafford in total yards; Harvin, a do-everything receiver who averages 16 yards a catch and 6.8 per carry and has scored at least one touchdown in the last nine games he has played in; and Demps, the freshman speedster averaging 11 yards per carry, with four touchdown runs that average 42 yards.

Everywhere the expected sellout crowd of more than 82,000 looks there seems to be someone willing and able to make an impact play.

Defensively, Florida's Brandon Spikes is one of six linebackers in the nation to have two interceptions in one game, doing it against LSU and taking one back 52 yards for a touchdown. But if you think that's impressive, Georgia linebacker Darryl Gamble also intercepted two passes against LSU, and he returned both for touchdowns.

If there is a play, there will be a chance something big might come out of it.

Especially on special teams, where Florida might have its biggest matchup advantage.

The Gators have blocked three punts this year, including two against Kentucky last week.

"Our kids love it," Meyer said. "Our coaches love it. The fans love it. You get a hand on a punt in a stadium and it comes completely unglued. Maybe louder than any other phase of a game. Right now we've got it going in that phase, and it's because of our personnel."

What will decide the game that just might be the biggest in a long, rich series?

It could be something big.

NO. 8 GEORGIA (7-1, 4-1 SEC) vs. NO. 5 FLORIDA (6-1, 4-1)

AT STAKE
At stake? Are you kidding? Only football life as Gators and Bulldogs fans know it. This is basically for the SEC Eastern Division title, which would set up a shot at the SEC Championship Game, which would open the door to a shot at the national championship. Georgia is No..6 in the BCS; Florida is No..8. Both teams are playing their best football of the season. This is something to celebrate. Anybody know where you can get a cocktail?

KEEP AN EYE ON
Georgia - QB Matt Stafford to flanker A.J. Green. The combination has been explosive for the Bulldogs. Stafford has 12 TD passes this year, five of them to the 6-foot-4 freshman. Green has 39 receptions, averaging a league-best 82 yards per game.
Florida - The Gators' punt block/return team is the wild card in this matchup. Both teams want to win the battle of field position. With proven ability to break a big punt return with Brandon James or to block kicks with their speed, the Gators can drastically alter momentum.

INJURY REPORT
Georgia - DT Jeff Owens (knee) is out; LB Dannell Ellerbe (knee) and TE Tripp Chandler (shoulder) are probable.
Florida - Jim Tartt (shoulder) is questionable; CB Janoris Jenkins (shin bruise), Emanuel Moody (ankle) are probable.

KEY STAT
The Georgia-Florida series began in 1904 with a 52-0 Bulldogs victory in Macon, Ga. The Dawgs lead the series 47-37-2, including 40-34-1 in Jacksonville. Georgia is seeking to win consecutive games in the series for the first time since 1989. After Georgia dominated the 1980s by going 9-1 in the series, UF has won 15 of the last 18 meetings.

KEY MATCHUPS
Georgia wants to establish its running game with sophomore TB Knowshon Moreno, who is averaging 115 yards a game this season. If Florida finds a way to contain the shifty brut, it would take away the Bulldogs' balance and force QB Matthew Stafford to throw into Florida's opportunistic secondary. If the Florida defensive line, with help from the linebackers, can stand its ground, the Gators like their chances. If not, the Bulldogs will like theirs.

PREDICTION
Florida 33, Georgia 31

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534.

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