Oct 30, 2026 1:33 PM
From forcing fumbles to unleashing Jadan Baugh, the Gators must execute a precise blueprint to topple the Bulldogs.
A Halloween showdown is looming in Atlanta between the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs and the No. 17 Florida Gators.
Should Florida fall in this one, they can likely kiss their AP Top 25 ranking goodbye once again.
Florida will have another massive test against Kentucky in a few weeks, but for now, the only thing concerning the Gators is this rivalry game against the Bulldogs.
Just over 24 hours before kickoff, ESPN's Bill Connelly looked at some of the biggest advantages Florida has going into this one.
There may not be a ton, but there is certainly a path to victory for Jon Sumrall and Co., as seen with Auburn's shocking win over the Bulldogs two weeks ago.
Florida's defense must force turnovers
As crazy as it is to say, Georgia has fumbled six times in the last two games. That's not a number that Kirby Smart is going to be happy about, and it's obviously something this team addressed fresh off a bye week.
Winning the turnover battle is step one in a game like this, but it's far from the only thing Florida is going to need to do if they want to leave Mercedes-Benz Stadium with an upset.
Jadan Baugh's contributions will mean everything
Connelly wants to see Florida's star running back "rack up yards after contact."
Should Baugh mirror what he did in some of the first games this season, Florida's offense will be in good shape, no matter who's at quarterback.
That right there is the name of the game, as Baugh has had a stellar season, for the most part, but a few weak showings from this offense changed the trajectory of their entire season.
Whether it's Tramell Jones Jr. under center for the second straight game or this one marks the return of Aaron Philo, the Gators' offense has to run through Baugh, but that's much easier said than done against this Bulldogs defense.
Florida must score 20+ points
It never feels like a good idea to get into a shootout with Georgia, but crazier things have led to upsets in college football this season.
Florida is still relatively fresh off a 27-24 win in Austin, and Connelly notes that this team will have greater odds of pulling off an upset if "they can get their point total into the mid-20s."
For reference, Florida has only scored fewer than 20 points twice this season, and that was in the only two games they lost this year.
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