Gators players to watch in game against No. 1 Georgia

Florida football faces an enormous challenge when it takes on No. 1 Georgia on Saturday at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville (3:30 p.m., CBS Sports).

The rival Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0 SEC) have won 24 straight games dating back to 2021. Even without All-American Brock Bowers, Georgia entered the week as 14.5-point favorites. Georgia has won five of the last six meetings between the two schools, including last season, when the Bulldogs downed the Gators 42-20.

Both teams are coming off a bye, the Florida Gators (5-2, 3-1 SEC) entered the bye week on a modest two-game win streak after a 41-39 comeback win at South Carolina and bring some confidence into the neutral-site game.

“We play SEC ball like they do,” Florida left tackle Austin Barber said. “I think they’ve got some guys that can play and I think … 24-0 is great, but they have to come play us. That’s what I think about that.”

Here are five players to watch in the Florida-Georgia matchup:

QB Graham Mertz

Mertz is coming off a career-best 423-yard passing performance against South Carolina and leads the SEC in completion percentage (76.2 percent). He’s thrown for 1,897 yards with 12 TDs to 2 interceptions. Mertz will get his first taste of the Florida-Georgia rivalry after transferring from Wisconsin. “I’ve played in some rivalry games,” Mertz said. “I think that’s one thing that once you spend some time in college, you have an appreciation for ‘em. I think anytime you go into a game that’s a rivalry game, you have to appreciate that, enjoy that process.”

WR Ricky Pearsall

Pearsall has emerged as one of the top receiving threats in the SEC with 44 catches for 619 yards and 3 TDs on the season. He’s vying to become UF’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Taylor Jacobs had 71 catches for 1,088 yards in 2002.

LT Austin Barber

Barber will be tasked with protecting quarterback Graham Mertz’s blindside against a physical Georgia defensive front. It will be a homecoming game for Barber. a former Jacksonville Trinity Christian Academy standout. “Every game is the same kind of urgency,” Barber said. “But I think it’s just more fun playing in Jacksonville, getting to see my whole family come to the games. I’m really excited for that.”

CB Jalen Kimber

A transfer from Georgia, Kimber will face his former UF team for the second time in his Florida career. Kimber has been solid in pass coverage for the Gators this year with 3 pass breakups and one fumble recovery.

LB Shemar James

James will be counted on to help stop Georgia’s run game, which ranks fifth in the SEC at 172.4 yards per game. He’s posted 50 tackles on the season, including 5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.