Earlier this week, before we knew the outcome of the Todd Gurley case, Alligator Army made a bold statement about this year's Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs game in Jacksonville: They would rather see the Gators play a Georgia team with Gurley than without him. The statement was very reasonable — they said it was wrong for a player to be held out of a game unjustly — but the truth is, even now with Gurley NOT playing, the Gators face a very stiff test.
How to watch Florida vs. Georgia: Game guide, TV/streaming, odds
Can Florida upset the Gurley-less Bulldogs?
Florida has the No. 13 ranked rushing defense, as opposing rushers have averaged just 3.1 yards per carry against the unit. However, even without Gurley, the Bulldogs offense has yet to be held to fewer than 200 yards rushing. Freshman Nick Chubb has handled the majority of the rushing duties in Gurley’s absence and tallied 345 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the past two weeks.
Georgia is everyone’s favorite to run away with the division title in the weak SEC East, while Florida coach Will Muschamp may not survive the season and could be coaching for his job when he faces off against the Bulldogs. Can the Gators pull off the upset? It would be perhaps Muschamp’s biggest win since he got to Florida — or at least his most important.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Online streaming: SEC Live (CBS)
Our blogs on these schools
The numbers
Rankings and records: Georgia is 6-1 and ranked No. 11 by the College Football Playoff committee. Florida is 3-3 and unranked.
Vegas: Georgia opened as a 10-point favorite. The line is now 10.5. The over/under is 47, per Odds Shark.
Weather forecast: Mostly sunny and windy with a high of 58 and a low of 40.
Two things at stake
Georgia is still fighting for a spot in the College Football Playoff, but the Bulldogs can’t slip up again to earn a shot at playoff berth.
Will Muschamp’s job could very well be at stake, as could bowl eligibility for Florida. The team would be in a bit of a hole if it doesn’t win this game.
One big matchup
Florida offense vs. Georgia defense: The Georgia defense has proven to be very stingy this year, with the exception of the loss to South Carolina. It has played even better as of late, with its shutout of Mizzou likely the best example. Now it has a chance to earn another shutout win against a Florida team that has been absolutely anemic on offense.
Forget about Todd Gurley ... the Bulldog's Hutson Mason-led offense is going to get some points, so this can't all be on the Gators' defense. If the offense, led by starter Treon Harris, isn't able to help the defense out at all, then Florida could be in for a long day.
Further reading
Read Dawg Sports for more on Georgia and Alligator Army for more on Florida.
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