Dan Mullen makes bold prediction on Florida-Georgia rivalry

The Florida–Georgia rivalry is fast approaching, with plenty on the line for both SEC programs.

Georgia is looking to repeat as SEC East champions, then eventually parlay that into an SEC title and potentially a national title. Florida is simply looking to continue building momentum in Year 2 under coach Billy Napier. At least one person familiar with the Florida-Georgia rivalry believes the latter could happen today.

“It’s unbelievable, I mean the atmosphere,” former Florida coach Dan Mullen said on the Lexus Halftime Report during the South Carolina–Texas A&M game. “Listen, I think anybody can win this game because of the rivalry part of it coming in, the stadium’s split right down the middle. It’s an amazing atmosphere. Florida absolutely can win this game. I think Florida does win the game.”

Immediately, co-host Joey Galloway piped up to make sure he got Mullen all the way on the record.

“I think Florida does win,” Mullen whispered in reply.

Mullen, of course, has plenty of familiarity with the rivalry after serving as Florida’s coach from 2018-2021. In fact, he was the coach of the last team to beat Georgia in the regular season, all the way back in 2020.

If Florida’s going to repeat that feat on Saturday, it’ll likely take pretty close to a Herculean effort. The team enters as a two-touchdown underdog, and Georgia has won 40 of its last 41 games.

Quarterback Graham Mertz will have to be on point, but he has proven to be one of the league’s most accurate passers. And he doesn’t make many mistakes. Mertz has thrown only two interceptions all season.

The Wisconsin transfer has thrown for 1,897 yards with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Meanwhile, Florida sports a strong ground game with running backs Montrell Johnson (438 yards, four TDs) and Trevor Etienne (407 yards, three TDs) powering things.

The Florida-Georgia rivalry is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff, with a broadcast on CBS.