Column: Georgia, Florida not wahat it seems

Sports Columnist
Published Thursday, October 31, 2002

Confused over who will win Saturday's Georgia-Florida game?

Don't be.

UF has three loses. UGA is undefeated.

That was easy. Georgia will win.

But wait.

The Gators have owned the Dawgs for the last 12 years, losing only the 1997 game.

No member of Georgia's 8-0 squad has ever been a part of a Dawg victory over the hated Gators.

Conversely, no Gator player has ever lost to Georgia.

UF has a huge mental edge, which will be crucial in the Gators' victory.

But wait.

Florida's recent dominance was under the watch of "The Evil Genius" Steve Spurrier. He is gone.

Ron 'We'll get it corrected' Zook, is in.

As Spurrier goes, so does Florida's mystique.

Give the win to Georgia.

But wait.

Florida leads Georgia in several team categories including rushing, passing and total offense.

The Gators also have an edge, albeit a small one, in total defense.

Well, why didn't you say so?

Florida wins.

But wait.

UGA has simply blasted opponents this year winning by a average margin of 34-16.

The Gators have struggled winning by an average of 28-21.

So Georgia takes the victory.

But wait.

Florida has faced a tougher schedule that includes No. 1 Miami.

UF's opponents have a combined 39-23 record and a 10-11 SEC record.

Dawg opponents have a combined 38-25 record and an SEC record of only 8-13.

UF's defense has also faced better quarterbacks.

The Gators have had to deal with Ken Dorsey, Eli Manning, Casey Clausen and Jared Lorenzen.

The only quality quarterback Georgia has faced is Lorenzen. Remember, Clausen didn't play in the Georgia game.

So, the Gators are more battle tested and will win the game.

But wait.

Georgia has proven it can best good teams.

The Dawgs beat No. 12 Alabama 27-25 in Tuscaloosa.

Florida has no quality wins.

Both teams beat Tennessee who is in a dead heat with FSU and Anna Nicole Smith for the title of 'Year's Biggest Bust.'

Give Georgia the edge and the win.

But wait.

Georgia is banged up. UGA is reeling on offense as several key players either are out or won't practice leading up to the game.

Receiver Damien Gary is certainly out. Fellow wide out Fred Gibson likely won't play.

Running back Musa Smith is nicked up, as is offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb.

Florida is at full strength, so UF wins.

But wait.

Georgia coach Mark Richt has emerged and is having a great season.

All his calls have been on the money.

He even alternates quarterbacks without causing team friction.

Meanwhile, Zook is still enduring the normal growing pains of a first-year coach.

Richt is right and will be the difference as the Dawgs roll. But wait.

Richt is 0-1 vs. the Gators, while Zook has had good success.

As defensive coordinator at UF, Zook went 5-0 against the Georgia.

UF wins.

But wait.

The Dawgs haven't won a conference title since 1982.

Back then it was cool to wear three swatches on your wrist. Twenty years is a long time. With a win, Georgia wins the SEC East for the first time and earns a berth in the SEC championship game.

Georgia is due and wins.

But wait.