Georgia has lost five times in six tries against Urban Meyer’s Florida Gators, and the Bulldogs have fallen behind by two touchdowns in each of those losses.
Florida took a 21-7 halftime lead this past Saturday in Jacksonville, but the Bulldogs showed more bite compared to previous seasons, rallying to force a 31-31 tie before losing 34-31 in overtime. Unfortunately for Georgia players, Saturday not only goes down as a defeat but possibly their toughest defeat.
“In my career at Georgia, it definitely is,” cornerback Brandon Boykin said after the game. “Losing to Florida — we were right there in the game that everybody waits for. To have a chance to contend for the SEC East and to lose it like that really [stinks].”
The setback eliminated Georgia (4-5, 3-4 SEC) from the East chase and didn’t do South Carolina (6-2, 4-2) any favors, either. Had the Bulldogs downed Florida hours after South Carolina’s 38-24 win over Tennessee, the Gamecocks could have clinched their first division crown with a win this week over visiting Arkansas.
Instead, if Florida (5-3, 3-3) takes care of business early Saturday afternoon at Vanderbilt, the Arkansas-South Carolina outcome will have no effect on the race. If the Gators beat the Commodores, the Nov. 13 matchup between Florida and South Carolina in the Swamp will be for the title.