Georgia is favored to take Saturday's rivalry matchup against Florida, according to CBS Sports analysts Brad Crawford and Chris Hummer, who provided college football odds and predictions for Week 9.
While the duo agrees on a Bulldogs victory, they are split on how competitive the game will be. Hummer believes that the Gators can push Kirby Smart's team to the brink, while Crawford expects a comfortable win but calls Florida "one of college football's most difficult teams to predict."
No. 3 Georgia is a 11.5-point favorite over the No. 20 Florida, according to BetMGM. One primary reason that Georgia has an advantage is its superior offensive line, according to Hummer. Florida's pass defense is also a concern as the Gators rank No. 121 nationally
in passing yards allowed per game. Brad White's group will try to slow down a top-30 passing offense led by Gunner Stockton and Talyn Taylor.
The unit delivered an encouraging performance against Texas, limiting the Longhorns to 24 points and nearly intercepted Arch Manning multiple times. However, despite the impressive showing in Austin, poor outings against South Carolina and Missouri raise questions about the defense's consistency.
"Was Florida's defensive performance against Texas an aberration or the new norm?" asks Hummer.
Florida will need to find rhythm in the run game to take pressure off either Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr. and open up the play sheet for Buster Faulkner. Crawford believes Jones offers Florida a better opportunity against Georgia than Philo, although Sumrall has not announced a starter.
A Florida win could return the Gators to the College Football Playoff conversation, in which they were inserted after starting the season 4-0 and climbing to No. 8 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. The big question for Jon Sumrall's team is whether Florida proves that its upset of Texas was a turning point rather than another unpredictable performance.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: CBS Sports analysts divided on Florida's chances against Georgia
