Georgia vs. Florida: Major Matchups
Georgia and Florida have already begun making their way down to Jacksonville for The 2022 edition of The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Georgia is ranked No. 1 in the country and is trying to take care of business before clashing with No. 3-ranked Tennessee next week. Florida is 4-3 and looking for a way to change Billy Napier’s first season.
The Bulldogs are heavily favored going into this game but as we’ve said numerous times this week, the game ain’t played on paper. Below, we take a look at some of the specific matchups Georgia will need to win in order to meet lofty expectations.
Georgia defensive front seven vs. Florida QB Anthony Richardson
Richardson has been really bad at times this season, like cost-your-team-a-game bad. But he has also flashed. He’s a big dude with ridiculous athleticism and if he can harness it, he can cause some damage.
We bring up the front seven here because Georgia really doesn’t want Richardson running into its secondary. That Bulldog front seven is the best Richardson has faced this season. It’s fast, physical, and growing up quickly.
Dawgs247’s Take: Much like Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford a few weeks ago, Richardson is going to make some plays with his legs. The key is keeping him in the pocket and making him escape upfield and not float outside where he can extend plays.
UGA tight ends vs. UF safeties
The Gators have gotten better at defending the tight end as the season has gone on. They were lit up by the tight end in the season opener vs. Utah. Tennessee and LSU also had some chunk-play success with the tight end. Most of the time its the Florida safeties matching up on those guys.
Georgia has maybe the best pair in the country in Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington. It’s almost like a lightning and thunder duo. They’re going to present quite the challenge.
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Dawgs247’s Take: Florida kind of has to pick its poison here. Bowers is the kind of tight end that will require a lot of the Gators’ attention. If that happens and Washington is clicking with Stetson Bennett like he was a couple of weeks ago against Vanderbilt, the big fella could be in for a huge game.
Georgia cornerbacks vs. Florida wideout Justin Shorter
I think most would agree that if Georgia doesn’t surrender big plays in this game, it has a great chance of blowing the Gators out. Well, Shorter is Florida’s best big-play threat. He is averaging 22.5 yards per catch and went off against Tennessee earlier this season.
Georgia can’t afford to let him do that and he presents a unique challenge. He has really good speed, the kind you have to worry about as a secondary, but he’s also a big guy who can win 50/50 balls. The Bulldog cornerbacks haven’t been great in those 50/50 situations.
Dawgs247’s Take: Georgia is good at finding a way to limit the opposing team’s best receiver. Shorter has had some moderate success against UGA in the past, but he’ll be the center of attention on Saturday. Expect some safety help over the top and for the Bulldogs to change things up on him when it comes to cushion and leverage.
