Field Street Forum

For the third straight week, Georgia is ranked No. 1 in the AP/Coaches polls. This marks the first time since the 2008 preseason that the Bulldogs have carried the top ranking in both polls. During the 1982 regular season, the Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 for five straight weeks. The last time Georgia was No. 1 in the College Football Playoff poll was for two weeks during the 2017 season (Oct. 31, Nov. 7). The first 2021 CFP ranking will be released on Nov. 2.

This is the first time since 2017 that Georgia-Florida will not be a top-10 matchup. The Bulldogs went 2-1 in that stretch. In the all-time series, Georgia holds a 53-44-2 advantage including 46-42-1 in Jacksonville. The annual rivalry will stay in Jacksonville until at least 2023. Florida has the series 52-44-2 in favor of Georgia because it does not count the Dogs’ 52-0 victory in 1904 that was played in Macon. Bulldog coach Kirby Smart is 3-2 against the Gators.

Georgia leads the nation in Scoring Defense giving up just 6.6 points per game. The Bulldogs are averaging 38.4 points/game, which is ranked 13th nationally. Georgia is 4-0 versus ranked teams, including a pair of top-10 wins.

The defense has allowed just four touchdowns. The first came in the fourth quarter versus USC with the Bulldogs leading 40-6. The second came at No. 18 AU with Georgia leading 24-3. UAB’s touchdown came on a pick-six. Most recently, No. 11 Kentucky had two scores, including the final one with :04 left.

Georgia leads the SEC and ranks fifth nationally in Red Zone defense. Opponents have advanced to the Red Zone only 11 times this season resulting in three touchdowns, four field goals and four times coming away with no points.

Georgia opponents have scored just 46 points in 2021. That seven-game tally is the lowest since 1971 when the Bulldogs had allowed the same total through seven contests.

The Bulldogs lead the country in Total Defense, giving up just 208.4 yards/game. In their last game, the Bulldogs held No. 11 Kentucky to 243 yards, including just 51 on the ground. The Wildcats came in averaging 214 yards rushing, including the SEC rushing leader in Chris Rodriguez Jr., who was held to seven yards on seven carries.

The open date provided another week for numerous Bulldogs who have missed time this year to get healthier. QB JT Daniels has not played since the Vanderbilt game on Sept. 26. Defensive backs Christopher Smith (missed last game) and Ameer Speed (missed last two games), running back Kenny McIntosh (missed last game) and receivers Arian Smith (missed last five games), Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (missed the Arkansas/Auburn games, played sparingly versus Kentucky) and Jermaine Burton (missed the Auburn game, played sparingly versus Kentucky) have missed time while veteran receivers George Pickens and Dominick Blaylock have yet to play this year.

Georgia built an early 14-0 lead including Zamir White scampering 75 yards for a TD on the game’s first play from scrimmage. Then, the Gators used an aerial assault by Kyle Trask and a 24-point outburst in the second quarter to build a 38-21 advantage by halftime. Georgia was missing three defensive starters due to injury (NT Jordan Davis, DT Julian Rochester, S Richard LeCounte) and then starting FS Lewis Cine was ejected for targeting in the second quarter. Trask’s 474 passing yards ranked as the second most ever by a Bulldog opponent, trailing only Jared Lorenzen of Kentucky (528, 2000). Overall, Florida ran 80 plays and finished with 571 yards of total offense. The Gator running backs combined for 10 receptions and 212 receiving yards. The second half featured a Georgia score while Florida was limited to two field goals for a 44-28 final.

Former Bulldog linebacker Thomas Davis (2002-04 UGA, 2005-20 NFL) and offensive lineman Jon Stinchcomb (1999-02 UGA, 2003-10 NFL) will be inducted into the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame during ceremonies and a luncheon on Friday as part of the Georgia-Florida Weekend.

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