Georgia vs. Florida: Bulldogs look to rebound from Auburn loss in Atlanta

ATHENS — Georgia has had two weeks to address the mistakes that cost it an unbeaten record.

The Bulldogs find out Saturday whether the corrections hold up against an opponent capable of making them pay again.

Third-ranked Georgia faces No. 17 Florida at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where the rivals meet at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. Both teams are coming off an open date, but Georgia enters following a 27-24 loss to Auburn. Florida last played in a 27-24 victory at Texas.

For the Bulldogs, the challenge extends beyond putting a disappointing afternoon behind them. They must protect the football, tackle more consistently and finish against a Florida team gaining confidence under first-year coach Jon Sumrall.

Those have been coach Kirby Smart’s priorities throughout the break.

“How do we not turn the ball over? How do we stay away from dumb penalties? How do we tackle better?” Smart said during Monday’s news conference.

Georgia remains positioned to contend in the Southeastern Conference at 6-1 overall and 4-1 in league play. Florida, 5-2 and 3-2, has an opportunity to tighten that race while ending a five-game losing streak against the Bulldogs.

The venue adds another wrinkle. With Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium undergoing renovations, the rivalry moves to Atlanta this season and Tampa next year. Georgia won last season’s meeting 24-20. 

Sophomore receiver Talyn Taylor watched that game from home while recovering from an injury. Saturday offers his first opportunity to contribute on the field against the Gators.

His description of the rivalry was straightforward: “Two powerhouses just beating up on each other.”

“I’m definitely going to be ready for it,” Taylor said Tuesday. 

Taylor has become a dependable option for quarterback Gunner Stockton, leading Georgia with 19 receptions for 283 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman Craig Dandridge Jr. has 17 catches for a team-high 310 yards.

Stockton has completed 74.1% of his passes for 1,570 yards and 16 touchdowns, but threw two interceptions against Auburn. Georgia needs his efficiency to translate against a Florida defense allowing 255 passing yards per game. 

Smart nevertheless sees a physical challenge from a defense coordinated by Brad White, whose work he knows from previous meetings.

“They have some really good players,” Smart said. “They have some twitchy, violent-size, length guys. They strike people.”

Georgia’s defense faces an equally demanding assignment against running back Jadan Baugh and an offense directed by former Bulldogs staff member Buster Faulkner.

Smart said Baugh’s combination of power and elusiveness has made him a teaching example throughout the season. Georgia has shown defenders clips of the Florida back to reinforce the tackling standard required against top competition.

“When you can run the ball and know that your back is going to make people miss in the open field or break tackles by running through them, over them, around them, it certainly gives you the confidence to give him touches,” Smart said.

Senior inside linebacker Raylen Wilson figures prominently in that effort. He led Georgia with 10 tackles against Auburn, all solo, and had nine in the victory at Alabama. Against Oklahoma, he recorded a career-high 11 tackles and forced a fumble. 

Containing Baugh would help Georgia manage the uncertainty surrounding Florida quarterbacks Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. Smart said the Bulldogs were preparing for both, emphasizing Faulkner’s ability to adapt his offense to either player.

“He gives them so many options, and he can play to the strengths of each guy,” Smart said.

The Bulldogs have spent the break balancing recovery with preparation. Smart said some players needed time to get healthy, but he cautioned that rest alone would not prepare them for Saturday.

“You better be ready to strike somebody in this game because it’s going to be physical,” he said.

For Georgia, that makes Saturday a test of what changed during the open week. The Bulldogs have identified the mistakes. Against Florida, they must show they can eliminate them.