Due to concerns over the intake of alcohol and alcohol-related events, the Georgia-Florida series is no longer officially called the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. But ask any college football fan and they’ll set you straight. While the consumption of spirits is widespread around game-day in Jacksonville, the two combatants usually put on a good show with major implications in the SEC East. Georgia looks to end a two-game losing streak when they play the Gators for the 94th time on Saturday, October 29 at EverBank Field.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Florida Gators +3
Georgia Bulldogs -3
Odds Analysis
The Gators late season collapse in 2015 was cause for concern and likely a reason why Georgia is -3 on the early opening line. Florida has won two straight in the series covering the spread each time. Over the last eight games the Gators are 5-2-1 ATS.
Last Meeting
The Gators moved a step closer to clinching the SEC East and drove another nail in the coffin of Georgia head coach Mark Richt with a 27-3 thumping of the Bulldogs at the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Florida won for the second straight time in the series.
Richt didn’t help his cause to remain as coach and it appeared his players had already said goodbye. He tried to ignite his stagnant offense by making a quarterback switch, benching starter Grayson Lambert. But instead of inserting backup Brice Ramsey, little-known Faton Bauta made his first career start.
The move failed miserably. Florida picked off four Bauta passes and held the Bulldogs to 223 total yards. Kelvin Taylor scored twice and ran for 121 yards, and the Gators bounced back from their first loss of the year. “It should have been a shutout,” Gators defensive lineman Jon Bullard said.
The Series
The teams have played in Jacksonville every year since 1933 with only two exceptions, making the series one of a few neutral-site rivalries still remaining. The teams have played a total of 93 games with the first acknowledged meeting by both schools taking place in 1915.
With the exception of a World War II disruption in 1943, the teams have played yearly since 1926. Georgia holds a 49-42 lead in the all-time series. There have been two tie games. Florida has won two straight and 20 of the last 26 games against Georgia.
Importance
Every game is important for a new coach in his first season, and Georgia’s Kirby Smart will get indoctrinated with the rivalry game quickly. The Bulldogs expect to be in the running for SEC titles and national championships annually but Richt fell short of those goals. Alabama’s defensive coordinator under Nick Saban, Smart was hired to do one thing – win a national title.
To do that and advance to the SEC championship, Georgia must beat Florida, the reigning East Division champs. One or both are always in the running for the division title, just adding to the meaning of the matchup. Florida has 13 division titles and Georgia seven since 1992. The teams finished as co-champions three times.
Betting Angle
While the game is technically played at a neutral site, the Gators do own a slight geographical advantage. Jacksonville is roughly 75 miles from the UF campus while Georgia’s Athens campus is approximately 400 miles away. According to former coach Richt, that’s a big reason why the Bulldogs are 6-18 SU in the series since 1990.
Of course that didn’t seem to bother Georgia during the 1970s and 80s when the Dogs won 15 of 19 games played in Jacksonville.
Quick Pick
If the Gators can find themselves a quarterback they could be real strong in 2016. McElwain did an outstanding job in his first season since coming over from Colorado State, wiping away the awful memory of two bad Will Muschamp seasons.
Now, McElwain has to reach and climb over the bar he set so high with an East Division title and 10 wins last year. And don’t forget, the Gators lost their final three games of 2015 and scored just 24 points combined. So, yeah, finding a quarterback is rather important.
Expectations are high in Athens also. Smart is a genius by association having worked at Alabama under Saban and winning a bunch of games. The rookie coach could be in for a surprise with a lesser talent base – compared to Bama. Being in the weaker division does give both coaches hope and the Dogs don’t have Alabama, LSU or Ole Miss on their schedule. This is their biggest game of the year.
NCAA Odds: Georgia 24, Florida 21
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