Oct 313 min read

World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party: A Rivalry Reignited

UF-UGA Rivalry: DJ Lagway — ©Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

The Florida Gators (4-3, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) will take on the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1) in the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" rivalry game in Jacksonville, Fla. on Nov. 2. Both are coming off their traditional bye-weeks as they prepare for the game. However, nothing can prepare a new player for this game.

The Rivalry Game's Significance

The Bulldogs have won the last three games, scoring upward of 30 points. However, the Gators won in 2020 defeating the Bulldogs 44-28. While the Bulldogs have played significantly better this year than any other team, the Gators have star quarterback DJ Lagway who has been a bit of a X-Factor for the Gators. If he gets going, he will be hard to stop. He isn't the only Gator to watch. Running back Jaden Baugh ran for more than 100 yards and 5 touchdowns against Kentucky (3-5, 1-5). Lagway and Baugh are both freshmen and should they decide to remain at Florida, the future will be very bright with them in the backfield.

The Bulldogs also played the Wildcats and nearly lost in Lexington, Ky. on Sept. 14. Georgia won just 13-12 in that matchup. If they play the way they played against Kentucky against Florida, the Gators could pull off the upset. However, there are a lot of storylines headed into this. Former Gators running back and current Bulldogs running back, Trevor Etienne will face his old team. He likely wants to run all over them and they likely want do the opposite after his transfer to their rival Georgia. Another storyline will be the Lagway's first Florida-Georgia game as a starter. Currently, the Bulldogs are 16.5-point favorites to win against the Gators.

Key Players: Georgia Bulldogs

The Bulldogs are led by star quarterback Carson Beck who has 1,993 passing yards on the season so far. Etienne has 422 yards rushing so far while Nate Frazier has 204 yards. Wideout Arian Smith leads all receivers with 444 yards receiving. He also has 3 touchdowns. But Beck doesn't have just one favorite target. Dominic Lovett and Dillon Bell also have upwards of 25 catches and 300 yards. The trio of receivers have been Beck's top targets this season.

Florida-Georgia Rivalry: Arian Smith — ©Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Defensively, the Bulldogs have one of the best units in the country. They are led by Jalon Walker and Malaki Starks. Walker leads the team in sacks with 4.5 so far this season. Starks leads the team in total tackles with 39. Each of the starting defensive backs have an interception. That will be something that Lagway will have to avoid on Nov. 2.

Key Players: Florida Gators

The Gators will lead by a group of young players come Nov. 2. Only receivers Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike are seniors and expected to play against the Bulldogs. Lagway, since he has taken over for the injured Graham Mertz, has accumulated 1,024 yards. His favorite target has been Badger who has 524 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dike has 420 yards and 2 touchdowns as well. Outside of those two, the Gators have really spread the love. Eight different receivers have scored a touchdown this season.

On defense, the Gators have been led by Jack Pyburn, Jordan Castell and Trikweze Bridges. Pyburn leads the team in total tackles. Castell leads the team in passes defensed and Bridges leads the team in forced fumbles and co-leads in interceptions

If Georgia has a bad day, Florida can certainly make this one close and even challenge for the win. It would follow the crazy season the SEC has had.