Georgia is seeking its first four-game winning streak since the 1980s in its rivalry with Florida. The difference this Saturday, compared to the past three meetings, is that the Gators have the edge — and a rather healthy one — at the quarterback position.
Florida senior QB Kyle Trask has connected on 95-of-139 passes (68.3 percent) for 1,341 yards with a stellar touchdown-to-interception ratio of 18-2 in four games. Georgia QB Stetson Bennett, meanwhile, has been intercepted five times in his team’s past two games.
Gators junior tight end Kyle Pitts is a matchup nightmare for every opponent, especially one that’s going to be without multiple defensive starters. Pitts has 22 receptions for 355 yards and seven TDs, while receiver Kadarius Toney has 22 catches for 297 yards and six TDs.
Since Dan Mullen arrived at Gainesville in 2018, the Gators have compiled a 4-1-2 spread record with four outright wins in seven games as underdogs. The Bulldogs have played twice at home and three times on the road this year. Although this is a neutral-site game in Jacksonville, Fla., we’ll nonetheless note that they’re 0-3 ATS outside of Athens, Ga.
Another major factor in this pick is injuries. Georgia is going to be without senior safety Richard LeCounte, (first-team All-SEC selection in 2019) and starting DT Julian Rochester. Starting junior DT Jordan Davis fractured his elbow in Lexington, although Kirby Smart didn’t rule out him attempting to play with some sort of cast.
Furthermore, WR George Pickens is questionable with an upper-body injury. Pickens, who led the Bulldogs in all receiving stats as a true freshman last year, didn’t even make the trip for the Kentucky game. Finally, LB Quay Walker and CB Lewis Cine are both questionable.
Due to COVID-19, Florida was without three starters in the secondary and other key players in a 41-17 win over Missouri. Those players tested positive two Saturdays ago, however, and are expected to play versus the Bulldogs. The Gators reported Tuesday they have had no new positive cases this week for the first time since September.
Florida senior DT Kyree Campbell made his season debut against Missouri, making a big impact on the Gators’ much-maligned run defense. After being gashed for 205 rushing yards by Texas A&M, Florida limited the Tigers to 40 rushing yards on 23 attempts. Campbell’s presence helped hold Larry Rountree, one of the SEC’s premier runners, to 36 yards on 14 carries.
Trask and Pitts will lead Florida to the outright win.
The play: Florida on the moneyline, +130.
