[UF: W8] Florida-Georgia and More.

[Weeze]

Rival Week

Florida-Georgia.

FL RB Ryan Bowman rushing against Georgia for 51 yards.

 

          Its half way through the college football season. That means only one thing! Its time for one of the best rivalry in college sports, as well as the largest cocktail party on the planet. Florida Georgia! The annual rivalry takes place between the two schools in Jacksonville Florida at TIAA Bank Field. Last season, the Bulldogs took the game in a highly contested, 21-16 Final. Florida, who at the time was fighting for their life to achieve a bowl game, had started to turned things around after starting the season 1-5. Florida ultimately would end the season 4-8. Georgia, had been defensively very good all season. Unfortunately for Florida, they had just started to figure out their offense. Their offense would continue to roll and Georgia would find themselves in the post season. 

          Florida offensively played fairly decent all  things considered. Only one turnover on a very costly fumble, over 250 yards through the air and a ok day on the ground. Though current starting running back, Ryan Bowman, has had this game circled on his calendar all year long. 
"Honestly...I still think about that game. It was my worst game of the season... and that fumble that probably cost us the game. You know it haunts me. I've been waiting to settle that score and show them who I truly am. I want them to remember my name." Bowman, the starting Junior back, took over the starting role last season about half way through the year and was an instant impact player for the Gators on the ground. Starting in only 6 games, but showing up in 7, he finished the season with 691 yards on 184 attempts, with 8 Touchdowns. 98.7 YPG. This season, through 6 games he has rushed for 694 yards on 98 carries, 6 touchdowns. 115.7 yards per game. While his touchdowns are 2 less, his support cast is vastly improved also making their own impact on the ground. 

 

SR RB Mason Matthews, 101 attempts for 513 yards, 4 Touchdowns

          This game will come down to the trenches. How well will each side defend against the run, pressure the quarterback...disrupt the play. On paper...the 5-1 Georgia looks like they should run away with it. However when you look at the stats.... the 3-3 Gators might make it closer than you think. Both teams have played six games. In rush yards allowed, Florida ranks 4th with 771. UGA ranks 5th with 784. In pass defense? The only team surprisingly worse than Florida(13th: 2067) is Georgia with 2085. Unfortunately this won't help Florida too much as they have an absolutely abysmal passing offense with 508 yards on the season. But with any luck..we might actually see some passing success this game. Georgia unfortunately does rank 5th with 1816 yards on the season. Jr QB Will Outman has had a good season, 18 Touchdowns with 6 Ints. Florida leads the SEC in rushing with 2006 yards. the second place team? 1363 yards. If Florida can find their rushing lanes, if they can keep the chains move and the clock ticking, keep the ball out of the dangerous Outman hand, this could be a very long afternoon for the Bulldog faithful. If the Gators can add to their SEC leading 13 sacks and keep the QB uncomfortable, it will still be close but the Gators might be able to come out ahead this time. It should be an exciting game! Rivalry games always seem to be a little funny.

 

 

          In recruiting news! Florida has had several new Commits after locking down 5* QB Max Howard. Florida has been locking down the state with 7 commits coming from the state of Florida. While last weekend fans woke up to some rough news(3 recruits, which include 2 flips, committed else where.), though all in all Florida has had another successful season so far. They currently ranked 12th in the country, 2nd in the SEC. Last season Florida grabbed some big hitters on Defense. This season, it seems to be about offense. More importantly the offensive line. On Defense, they locked down another edge rusher and a FS who, by some reports, could very well beat out John Lee, the FS they recruited last season.  The better news? Most Recruiting sites have two more Recruits possibly committing to Florida very soon. 4* DT Michael Baig and 3* C Mark Yamada

 

Offense

Maximillian	Howard	QB	5*
Bubba	Payne	OG	4*
Christopher	Turnbull	OT	4*
Joshua	Leale	OT	4*
Edward	Watkins	WR	4*

Defense

John	Harwell	DE	4*
Shaun	Thomas	FS	4*