Rivalry Week: Florida/Georgia showdown

It’s all business for the Gators this week.

Despite a hot start, the team has been run over, through and around over the past month, and the offense has looked inept without John Brantley, yes, John Brantley, at the helm.

The senior quarterback could play Saturday against Georgia, but he’s been limited in practice. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said freshman Jacoby Brissett will start if Brantley is unable to go.

Whether it’s Brissett, Brantley or Jeff Driskel, the offense needs to wake up.

Against Alabama, LSU and Auburn, the offense has averaged a pitiful nine points per game, and none of the position groups have performed well.

The offensive line has had a ton of mental mistakes and struggled against Alabama and LSU’s powerful defensive lines.

Jeff Demps’ absence has left Chris Rainey solo, and the senior hasn’t been able to shoulder the load.

The receivers have been virtually nonexistent outside of a few big plays by Andre Debose (can this guy get on the field more?)

Defensively, the story hasn’t been much better.

The rush defense has taken a step back, although it did show signs of life against Auburn. The linebackers and safeties seemed to forget how to tackle, although linebacker Jelani Jenkins acknowledged the Gators have played against a string of talented backs.

If the Gators don’t want to get embarrassed in Jacksonville against one of their biggest rivals, here are a few keys:


Florida’s offense

Whether it’s Brissett or Brantley, the passing offense needs to start out with some easy completions. The 2010 option offense negates any flow or rhythm and has been ineffective.

Demps should return to the lineup after getting healthy during the bye week. He and Debose are the most talented players at their positions and are always threats to score.

The offensive line faces another physical defense as Georgia runs a 3-4 system featuring some giant defensive linemen including 6-foot-6, 350-pound sophomore Kwame Geathers and 6-foot-5, 351-pounder Jon Jenkins. Cornelius Washington has rare size at outside linebacker (6-foot-4, 269 pounds), and USC transfer Jarvis Jones leads the team with four sacks and 10 tackles for loss.


Georgia’s offense

The secondary will face one of its toughest tests thus far. Georgia’s Aaron Murray is a rising sophomore who can make plays with his arm and his legs. He completes 60 percent of his passes and boasts a 16:7 touchdown to interception ratio. He spreads the ball around to his playmakers – four receivers have at least 18 catches.

Unlike Florida, Georgia has some bigtime playmakers who present some mismatches. Freshman running back Isaiah Crowell has made an instant impact, rushing for 608 yards and four touchdowns as the feature back. He has terrific size and speed and will be tough to tackle in the open field.

Tight end Orson Charles is another size/speed athlete who is tied for the team lead with four touchdowns. Freshman Malcolm Mitchell has stepped into the No. 1 receiver role after AJ Green departed to the NFL. Mitchell leads the team with 22 catches for 438 yards.

Florida’s defense

Sophomore Ronald Powell should return to the starting lineup, but for how long? The disappointing former No. 1 recruit hasn’t made much of an impact at the buck position. The Gators need him to step up as a pass rusher, but this week will be a tough test against Georgia’s mammoth offensive line whose smallest starter stands 6-foot-2, 313 pounds.

The defensive line has been terrific at times, but has also struggled to adapt to a two-gap system. Georgia’s giant offensive line keeps Murray clean and opens holes for Crowell with ease. The front line of Shariff Floyd, Dominique Easley and Jaye Howard need to maintain gap discipline so the linebackers can make plays.

UF’s small secondary may have trouble containing UGA’s receivers. Their top three receivers are all at least 6-foot-1, and Charles stands 6-foot-3, 243 pounds.

Georgia’s defense

Senior cornerback Brandon Boykin is one of the top prospects at his position. His speed makes him a threat on both defense and in the return game.

Like their offensive line, Georgia has a ton of size up front in its 3-4 defense. They simply have better athletes up front than the Gators do on their o-line.