Packing the Swamp will aid Gators after defeat
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the Georgia Bulldogs made annual pilgrimages to Jacksonville only to be left in a drunken stupor by more dynamic Florida teams. Lately, however, it’s the Gators who have developed hangovers whether winning or losing at TIAA Bank Field.
Florida lost to Georgia for a third consecutive time last Saturday, and the Gators will now try to stop a three-year slide in the game immediately after the Jacksonville clash. A year ago, Florida followed a 36-17 loss to the Bulldogs with a 38-17 home embarrassment against Missouri in what was the worst performance of an otherwise impressive 10-win season.
What aspirin does second-year Gators coach Dan Mullen plan to administer this time around?
“We’re going to practice hard, try to put a great game plan together, and come out
fired up on Saturday,” Mullen said Wednesday. “We need to pack the Swamp. We need the home-field advantage. We need the energy in the stadium, because our team is going to come out with intensity.
“That’s really all it is, to be honest with you — the ability to come out and hopefully create a home-field advantage, an unbelievable atmosphere and have the Swamp rocking.”
The Gators are just 1-7 against the spread in their past eight games that have followed the showdown formerly known as the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
Florida lost to Georgia 42-7 two years ago, resulting in the firing of coach Jim McElwain the next day, and was drubbed 45-16 at Mizzou the next week in the first of four games with Randy Shannon as interim coach. The Gators beat Georgia 24-10 in 2016 but lost 31-10 at Arkansas the following week, and a 27-3 rout of the Bulldogs in 2015 — will it ever be explained why Georgia started Faton Bauta at quarterback that day? — was followed by a 9-7 home escape of a Vanderbilt team on its way to a 4-8 record during Derek Mason’s second season as coach.
“That was a group that was trying to figure out some things offensively, and we had some opportunities,” Mason said. “[Vanderbilt running back] Ralph Webb had a really good day, and I think that game set us up for learning how to play on the road. We really believe that playing in the Swamp at noon works as an advantage for us, because we practice in the mornings.
“We think the early start time really works for us, so we’re going to be ready to go.”
Mullen hopes Florida fans will be ready to go as well despite last week’s deflating loss that has left the Gators needing a Georgia collapse in order to win the SEC East. This is Florida’s first home game since the 24-13 upset of Auburn on Oct. 5.
“I think we’ve had a great week, and I think our intensity in practice has been great,” Mullen said. “Every guy has been fired up and with great focus, but that needs to translate into performance on Saturday, too.”
Pasquali’s Pix
Vanderbilt at Florida:
In the last 12 seasons, Florida and Alabama are the only FBS teams that haven’t lost to an opponent that finished that year with a losing record.
Gators 29, Commodores 10.
Western Kentucky at Arkansas: It’s been a rough three weeks for Razorbacks defensive coordinator John Chavis, with Auburn, Alabama and Mississippi State combining to score 153 points.
Razorbacks 20, Hilltoppers 17.
UTC at Samford: The Bulldogs have played in games this season that have ended in regulation, one overtime, two overtimes, three overtimes and four overtimes. Mocs 26, Bulldogs 24.
Georgia Tech at Virginia: By defeating the Yellow Jackets on Saturday and Virginia Tech on Nov. 29, the Cavaliers would become the seventh different ACC Coastal Division champion in as many years. Cavaliers 34, Yellow Jackets 13.
LSU at Alabama: Oh, to imagine the conversation at a dinner table with Ed Orgeron, Nick Saban and Donald Trump. Crimson Tide 31, Tigers 24.
Missouri at Georgia: The Tigers would have a difficult time even with Kelly Bryant at full strength. Bulldogs 31, Tigers 12.
Appalachian State at South Carolina: The Gamecocks stunned Georgia last month but could finish 4-8 if they don’t win this one. Gamecocks 23, Mountaineers 20.
Tennessee at Kentucky: Mark Stoops could become the first Wildcats coach to win multiple games against the Volunteers since Fran Curci. Vols 19, Wildcats 17.
Other picks:
Ole Miss 49, N.M. State 16 Ohio State 55, Maryland 9 Penn State 28, Minnesota 12 Baylor 26, TCU 23 SMU 42, East Carolina 25 Fla. St. 24, Boston College 21 Cincinnati 40, Connecticut 7 Texas 31, Kansas State 30 Va. Tech 27, Wake Forest 24 Miami 33, Louisville 28 Wisconsin 21, Iowa 10 Clemson 44, N.C. State 19 Notre Dame 35, Duke 22 Oklahoma 38, Iowa State 31 Michigan State 17, Illinois 14 Boise State 30, Wyoming 13 San Diego St. 53, Nevada 26
Last week: Winners …………… .17
Granthams ………… .8
Pasquali is now 197-53 overall (78.8%) this season.