Georgia vs Florida Point Spread

The annual “neutral-field” rivalry game between Georgia and Florida takes place this week, featuring a couple of teams that have been trending in opposite directions – one on a winning streak since opening slow, the other fighting through a gauntlet of nationally ranked competition after getting out of the gate fast.

But those who follow this rivalry know, as the old saying goes, you can throw out the records. While Georgia has won 46 of 88 all-time meetings with Florida, the Gators are 18-2 in the last 20 meetings. Florida has won the last three, but this is the first time since 2004 that UF enters this game unranked. That year, the Gators lost 31-24 to then-No. 7 Georgia.

Georgia needs this game to keep pace with South Carolina in the East Division and keep alive hopes of playing in the SEC Championship Game.

The latest odds show Georgia favored by 3 points and the total set at 49 points.

Georgia

After starting 0-2 against two nationally ranked opponents, the Bulldogs have won five straight games and are tied with South Carolina for the top spot in the SEC East Division, but lost 45-42 to the Gamecocks in their last loss (Sept. 10). Georgia is coming off a bye week after a 33-28 win at Vanderbilt, the first time in five games that Georgia has allowed more than 13 points. This week will mark the third straight road game for the Bulldogs.

The defense is where we start. After giving up 80 points in their two losses, Georgia gave up 35 points in the next four games before allowing 28 last week. Georgia ranks 27th nationally in scoring defense (20 points per game), allowing just 273 yards per game (171 passing, 102 rushing), a meager 4.3 yards per play. The squad has forced 15 turnovers (11 interceptions, four fumbles) and recorded 14 sacks. Michael Gilliard and Jarvis Jones lead the team with 83 combined tackles; Jones and Cornelius Washington have 7.5 combined sacks. Bacarri Rambo is among the nation’s leaders in interceptions with five.

The offense is potent, ranking 36th nationally in scoring (32 ppg), 46th in passing (249 yards per game) and 55th in rushing (162 ypg). The leader of the run game is Isaiah Crowell with 608 yards (4.8 per carry) with four touchdowns. Quarterback Aaron Murray is completing 61 percent of his passes for 1,653 yards and 16 TDs with seven interceptions. The offensive line has given up 15 sacks. Three players lead the receiving corps – Malcolm Mitchell (25 catches for 438 yards, 3 TDs), Orson Charles (22 for 299, 4 TDs) and Tavarres King (22, 246, 4 TDs).

Florida

The Gators, as their schedule has gotten tougher, has moved in the opposite direction as Georgia. After starting 4-0, Florida has lost its last three games to nationally ranked teams (LSU, Alabama, Auburn), scoring just 27 combined points.

Despite that, Florida still ranks 16th nationally in scoring defense (19 points per game, outscoring the opponents 53-9 in the third quarter), allowing 289 yards per game (121 rushing, 168 passing).The squad has 11 sacks, but has only forced seven turnovers. Jonathan Bostic leads this unit with 51 tackles and three sacks, while Matt Elam recording two interceptions

After scoring 33 or more points in each of their four wins, the Gators have been hold to just 27 total points in their losses. Overall, the offense ranks 41st nationally in rushing (176 ypg), 71st in scoring offense (27 points per game) and 100th in passing (178 ypg). More than 85 percent of the team’s rushing offense goes through three players – Chris Rainey (500 yards, 2 TDs, 4.9 yards per carry), Jeff Demps (324 yards, 4 TDs, 8.4 ypc) and Mike Gillislee (258, 2 TDs, 7.0 ypc). Starting quarterback John Brantley may return to the field this week, after missing the last two games. He completes 65 percent of his passes for 942 yards and five TDs with three interceptions. Six different players have caught at least 10 passes this season, led by Rainey with 18 grabs for 275 yards and two scores.

Caleb Sturgis has been nearly automatic for the Gators as kicker, making 15 of his 16 field-goal attempts this season. His only miss was from 52 yards vs. Alabama. He had made his first 12 attempts. Solomon Patton and Andre Debose both average more than 24 yards per kickoff return, which may help Florida’s fortunes if this becomes a field-position game.