The annual Cocktail Party Florida-Georgia game is this weekend as the border state rivals meet in Jacksonville, Florida.
This game will have a significant impact on the SEC East title race, which Florida is currently leading despite having a loss to Tennessee. The Gators need to win out to guarantee a spot in Atlanta, as a tie in the loss column will send the Vols to the title game. It may be a down year in Athens, but a win over Florida would make Georgia fans feel much better about Kirby Smart's first season.
Viewing information
Date: Saturday, Oct. 29
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
TV: CBS
Live stream (computer): CBSSports.com (Simulcast and All-22 feed)
Live stream (mobile): Download the CBS Sports App
Storylines
Florida: The Gators' defense has been the catalyst all season for their success. Against Georgia, stopping the run -- something they've done extremely well -- will be the top priority. When the Bulldogs have run the ball well -- against North Carolina and South Carolina -- they've won. When Georgia's been forced to rely on freshman quarterback Jacob Eason to make a lot of plays through the air, they've struggled.
Florida's linebacking corps is among the best in the nation and that group flies to the football. They're led by star backer Jarrad Davis, who is nursing a sprained ankle but is hopeful to play. If he can't go or is less than 100 percent, others will have to step up and fill in for the Gators' leading tackler against Nick Chubb and the Georgia rushing attack.
Georgia: This season has been a less than ideal start to the Kirby Smart era in Athens. The offense has struggled to find balance and consistency, but that was somewhat expected with a true freshman quarterback. The most disappointing part of the Georgia season has been the poor defensive play. Florida's offense isn't very dynamic, especially when playing a quality opponent, but the Gators have shown the ability to create big plays down the field in the passing game for quick strike scores.
Georgia's pass defense is ranked 69th nationally, allowing 228.6 yards per game, but are 88th nationally in yards per attempt allowed at 7.7. Against Florida, a team that struggles to run the football consistently, the Georgia pass defense must be tighter on the back end and not let the likes of Antonio Callaway get over the top for big plays. If the Bulldogs can force Florida to try and create long, sustained drives, they will likely see a lot of punter Johnny Townsend and stay in this game.
Players to watch
Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida: If Davis plays, he probably won't be at full strength and if he's out, there are big shoes to fill. Anzalone is the Gators' second-leading tackler and a dominant force at linebacker in his own right. Georgia's offensive line is not great at getting a push into the second level, which means Anzalone and company will have a lot of opportunities to push forward and make stops at or near the line of scrimmage. Whether Davis plays or not, Anzalone is going to have to be a force on run defense and if his name is getting called a lot, that probably means things are going well for the Gators.
Jacob Eason, QB, Georgia: The Bulldogs have to get something out of the passing game in order to move the ball on the Gators. Florida is going to load up the box on Chubb and force the young quarterback to make the right decisions and throws. He's shown flashes of brilliance this season, but against the Gators -- who have ball-hawking corners on both sides -- he's going to have to have the best game of his season. He has to walk the fine line between finding guys in tight windows and forcing the ball into coverage. Field position is going to be crucial in this game and turnovers are a quick way to flip the field in the wrong direction. Eason needs to be sharp, but most importantly smart against Florida's second-ranked pass defense.
Matchup to watch
Florida's offensive line vs. Georgia's defensive line: When Florida has pulled away from teams this season, it's been because they have run the football. In the three games with 20-plus point margins of victory, Florida has rushed for at least 244 yards on 4.88 yards per carry or better. In the Gators' loss to Tennessee and their two least impressive wins over Vanderbilt and UMass, they have not rushed for more than 107 yards or averaged more than 3.69 yards per carry.
Georgia's defensive line needs to hold up the Gators' offensive line that has struggled with strong defensive fronts this season -- most notably Vanderbilt and Tennessee. If they can do that, the Florida rushing attack will stall out and the Gators, who are not a particularly efficient passing offense, will struggle to put together sustained drives. If the Bulldogs get beat at the point of attack and lose the battle in the trenches, Florida's offense will be able to put up points and likely pull away for the win.
