NCAA Game of the Week: Sumrall, Gators Seek Third Top-10 Win Over Georgia

The No. 17 Florida Gators get their quarterback back as reports say that Aaron Philo will grab his starting role against the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs, in a major college football matchup with College Football Playoff implications along with the SEC championship.

If Gators head coach Jon Sumrall nabs this victory with his squad, the first-year head coach will have three top 10 wins under his belt. But it won’t be easy against a Bulldogs team coming off a bye and a loss to the unranked Auburn Tigers.

We reached out to Florida Roundtable reporter Jordon Lawrenz and Georgia Roundtable reporter Michael Brauner for an in-depth look at the Week 9 matchup. Here's what you need to know:

Florida RTB: Biggest story coming into the week was the QB battle, if you want to call it that. Starter Aaron Philo regained his spot after injury, though there was doubt after what Tramell Jones Jr. did against Texas. 

Georgia RTB: How does the team respond not only from the loss but also the bye week? The Dawgs looked like the best in the country until the loss to Auburn, so how they improved in the week off is the #1 thing.

Florida RTB: Jadan Baugh vs. Georgia’s defense is the biggest matchup worth watching. If Florida can run the ball, they’re in a good shape to pull off the upset. If not, they could be in trouble. 

Georgia RTB: Whether or not Florida is able to run the ball on this Georgia defense will determine the winner. If the Dawgs can shut things down on the ground, it could get ugly.

Florida RTB: The status of Vernell Brown could change everything. He hasn’t played since Sept. 26, but if he’s back, the Gators offense could look entirely different. 

Georgia RTB: Craig Dandridge. The true freshman has quietly been the best receiver on the team, and as Stockton tries to bounce back, Dandridge is huge in this one.

Florida RTB: Florida’s defense has had its moments this season. Getting into a shootout with Auburn was something, but then they blew out Ole Miss only to drop a pair of painful games in the weeks to follow. Fresh off a solid win over Texas, who knows what version of this defense will show up in Atlanta. 

Georgia RTB: I did not think turnovers were going to be the issue they have been, but even against Alabama they nearly cost Georgia the game. Stockton needs to take care of the football and the Dawgs must avoid special teams mistakes in order to avoid a close game.

Florida RTB: Georgia 31, Florida 17

Georgia RTB: I just can’t pick against Kirby Smart having a great showing after a bye, it’s close in the first half but Georgia pulls away.

Georgia 34, Florida 20