One of college football's most celebrated rivalry games will take place in Week 9 between the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs. Traditionally played in Jacksonville, the two teams will face off in Atlanta this year as EverBank Stadium undergoes a massive facelift.
Florida enters the game ranked 20th in the US LBM Coaches Poll and 17th in the AP Top 25, while Georgia ranks third in both major polls. The Gators bring a 5-2 overall record and a 3-2 SEC mark into the weekend; the Bulldogs are 6-1 overall and 4-1 against conference peers. Both teams are coming off bye weeks.
UGA leads the all-time series, 57-44-2, and has won the last five meetings and eight of the past nine. The last time UF triumphed came in 2020, when the Gators prevailed, 44-28.
Ahead of Florida's rivalry game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Gators Wire's staff convened to offer their expert predictions and picks for the Week 9 matchup. Take a look below at what we had to say.
'After their slip against Auburn, the Dawgs will have to clean up their mistakes fast'
Florida will enter this contest with more momentum than Georgia, but that may not be enough, as the Bulldogs haven't lost back-to-back games since 2016. However, this iteration of the Gators has been different since Jon Sumrall took over.
After their slip against Auburn, the Dawgs will have to clean up their mistakes fast, because the UF defense has capitalized on that in marquee matchups. The SEC has been in complete chaos, and I believe the rest of this season may be a testament to the conference's vote for the 24-team playoffs, and this contest will further support that claim. — Michael Trim Jr.
PREDICTION: Florida 31, Georgia 26
'This Gator team is better-coached than... the past several years'
The Florida-Georgia matchup is typically among the biggest games on the SEC schedule year in and year out, and that will not change this season despite a different host venue. However, this Gator team is better-coached than the one that has taken the field over the past several years, which should change the dynamic significantly.
The Bulldogs are once again one of the top teams in the nation, but this is not the same team that earned back-to-back titles earlier in the decade, having shown some weaknesses in their loss to Auburn before the bye. If the Gators can play as they did against Ole Miss and Texas, there is a good chance Jon Sumrall's squad can snap the current five-year skid against UGA.
Despite the Dawgs being double-digit favorites in this one, I foresee a major upset that puts the Orange and Blue back into the College Football Playoff discussion heading into the season's home stretch. — Adam Dubbin
PREDICTION: Florida 24, Georgia 21
'I do think this is a much more winnable version of this rivalry'
I keep going back and forth on this one because Florida has made absolutely no sense this season. The Gators beat Ole Miss, lost to South Carolina and Missouri, then went to Austin and beat Texas. So, what happens against Georgia?
I do think this is a much more winnable version of this rivalry than it has been the past few years; even if Florida has managed to make things competitive on occasion. Georgia is still loaded with talent, but the Auburn loss showed it can be knocked off schedule and forced into mistakes.
Florida has also looked much more comfortable in big spots under Jon Sumrall than it did earlier in the season. The defense also seems to have found its identity with each game. Whether that's Sumrall's doing or Brad White's is unclear.
The part that scares me is whether Florida can create enough offense if Georgia takes away Jadan Baugh and forces the quarterback to win it. I think the Gators hang around, make this ugly and probably have a real chance late.
I’m just not quite ready to pick them to do it. — David Rosenberg
PREDICTION: Georgia 27, Florida 23
'Gators' pass rush and blitz packages will prove too much for Georgia'
Florida enters its annual rivalry game against Georgia with renewed confidence. The Gators pulled off a road upset of Texas before heading into the bye, a reset that was much needed for Jon Sumrall's team after a rollercoaster four-week stretch that saw them defeat No. 4 Ole Miss, lose back-to-back games to South Carolina and Missouri, then dominate in Austin.
The Gators have the talent. They have also shown the capability to compete with the nation's top programs; however, consistency and execution are still major question marks.
Georgia represents a step up in class, as the Bulldogs boast the SEC's best top-to-bottom roster despite showing themselves vulnerable and ultimately dropping a pivotal game to Auburn on the road. Florida's offense must establish a balance and generate explosive plays, while the defense needs to put Gunner Stockton under the same pressure that forced Arch Manning to falter.
Third-down situations will prove critical for Aaron Philo and Buster Faulkner to navigate as every possession holds more weight in this situation. Hopefully, the time off gave Florida a chance to address penalties that have been a constant thorn in the side of Sumrall and the Gators.
If Florida can maintain their focus for four quarters, establish the run early and capitalize on any Gunner Stockton mistakes, they will be in striking distance as the game wanes. I believe the Gators' pass rush and blitz packages will prove too much for Georgia to handle, allowing them to pull out another close call. — Michael Long
PREDICTION: Florida 28, Georgia 24
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Expert predictions, picks for Florida's Week 9 rivalry game vs Georgia
