3 reasons why Georgia will beat Florida and 1 why they won’t

1. An opportunistic Georgia defense has shown the ability to make big plays

The best thing Georgia has going for it vs. Florida is it has the better defense. Georgia has played tremendously well defensively in all of its wins this season. While the team did fall apart in the second half of the Alabama game nearly a month ago, Georgia did lead heading into halftime of that possible SEC Championship game prelude. Defense is this Georgia team’s identity.

Though the secondary may give up a big touchdown from time to time, it has more to do with great play-calling from excellent offensive coordinators than anything. The Georgia defensive backfield is rarely out of position and almost always takes away with deep ball in the passing game. Its ability to break up passes and pick off errant throws is what makes it a dangerous unit.

While one would expect the Georgia secondary to be elite because that is the position group Kirby Smart used to star for back in the mid-1990s, what has really stood out from the defense this year has been the pass rush. Azeez Ojulari might be the Dawgs’ best pass-rusher they have had in years. We are looking at a guy who may go in the first round like Leonard Floyd did back in 2016.

Add in a strong run defense centered around linebacker Monty Rice and Georgia may have the most complete and dominant defense in the country. Though they will be without superstar safety Richard LeCounte III and defensive lineman Jordan Davis in this game, as well as defensive tackle Julian Rochester for the rest of the season, it only means next man up on a loaded Georgia roster.