Jesse Palmer trusts Georgia defense more than Florida offense in SEC East showdown
By John Buhler
Jesse Palmer feels the defense gives Georgia football an edge over Florida football on Saturday.
Defense wins championships, and Jesse Palmer likes what Georgia football has going for it.
Ahead of the huge SEC East rivalry game between Palmer’s alma mater Florida Gators and my Georgia Bulldogs, I asked the former Florida quarterback which unit he trusts more in a big spot: The high-octane offense of the Gators or the hungry defense of the Dawgs. His answer will surprise you as much as it did me. This could be the closest game down in Jacksonville in years.
The big play ability is something Alabama had that Florida does not
“In terms of who I trust more, I would say the Georgia defense because I think they have the best defense in the country,” said Palmer to FanSided on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project.
“I know they’re going to be missing one of the best safeties in the country in Richard LeCounte III, as well as linebacker Jordan Davis, but they have a great pass-rusher in Azeez Ojulari who could make life difficult for the Florida passing game.
While I do like Florida’s offense, it is not as explosive as Alabama’s. Don’t get me wrong, the Gators have plenty of great offensive players like Kyle Trask, Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney, but they are a bit more methodical in their approach. Alabama is much more capable of scoring on one big play with guys like DeVonta Smith, John Metchie III and Jaylen Waddle when he was healthy.”
The defense has not been the issue for Georgia this year. It has been offensive ineptitude with former fourth-stringer Stetson Bennett IV serving as the Dawgs’ starting quarterback. While Florida’s defense has been suspect this season, this game will come down to if it is a defensive struggle or an offensive shootout. The former clearly favors Georgia, while the latter certainly favors Florida.
When asked what he thought about Florida head coach Dan Mullen turning heel in the aftermath of the Gators’ on-field scuffle vs. the Missouri Tigers last week, Palmer had no issues with Mullen getting fined for his actions, but does not see a place for fighting in college football. As for “Darth Gator”, Palmer feels it could be something that brings the Florida football team more together.
“Obviously you don’t want to see two teams get into a fight,” said Palmer. “So I’m fine with the $25,000 fine Dan Mullen received, but I wouldn’t have been in favor of a suspension had the SEC gone in that direction. Though SEC games can get heated from time to time, there is no place for violence like that.
“As for if Mullen is ready to be the villain, I think he’s okay with that, so long as it serves as a rallying cry for his team. If this or “Darth Gator” helps gives his team and fanbase a little more juice to go out there and play some great ball, then yeah, I could see him embracing being the villain for the rest of the season.”
Having players get into a fight, incite the crowd after the on-field incident and then dress up as Darth Vader in the postgame press conference because it was Halloween and all was a great way for Mullen to potentially embrace the Dark Side. He may not have wanted to play the villain, but if he is comfortable playing the role for the rest of 2020, it would not be the worst thing in the world.
Saturday will be a battle between Florida’s fiery offense and Georgia’s dominating defense.
Jesse Palmer spoke with FanSided on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project. He will be hosting the “Honoring Our Warriors” virtual Veterans Day celebration by the Wounded Warrior Project on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m. EST on the nonprofit’s Facebook Page and YouTube channel.
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