There’s a new Sheriff in Gainesville, FL, and he goes by the name of Who Cares Because He Probably Won’t Be There Very Long.
The true impact that the Billy Napier firing has on Georgia football remains to be seen. But what we do know is that this means Kirby Smart has a chance to beat his 4th different Florida coach since 2017, and I’m sure each has been as special as the last.
Luckily for Georgia fans, Coach Smart hates Florida the way that only a South Georgia boy who lived through the 90s could. This shows each year through his passion during the game, the way he celebrates each victory, and the way he curses like a sailor when he doesn’t know his halftime speech is being recorded. Kirby cherishes each victory over Florida, and lately he’s had a lot of cherishing to do.
Florida having an interim Head Coach isn’t the only reason this version of WLOCP will feel different. As many of you know, the game will move to Atlanta and Tampa, respectively, for a brief two-year stint following this one, as the Jaguars’ stadium is finally getting some much-needed renovations.
Do Atlanta and Tampa have the space and lack of infrastructure for the tailgates to live up to the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party name? Will UGA students still have a holiday the Friday before the game when the game is in Atlanta, since there won’t be much travel needed? Will Frat Beach be able to survive the two-year hiatus?
The scene in Jacksonville is unmatched and will be hard to replicate in the other two cities. One of the first things you notice when walking through the tailgates is the astounding number of porta potties, none of which are large enough to handle the giant turd that Billy Napier laid during his tenure.
One tradition that should stand no matter where the game is played is the emptying of half the stadium, recently the Florida side, as the losing fans realize the game is out of reach. Someone who’s a pessimist might say that the stadium is half empty, while someone who’s an optometrist might ask you to read the writing on the wall.
The writing on the walls of the Florida football facility has been simple as of late, as the program has once again acknowledged their own mediocrity. Pretty soon they will be hosting the 20-year anniversary of their last conference championship, and the plummet of the Gainesville Gators continues.
The timing of the Napier firing is not coincidental, as the Florida AD was certainly hoping for a spark going into this big rivalry game. Florida should come out playing like their hair is on fire since they literally have nothing to lose.
As much as fans love to point out that anything can happen in this rivalry, that hasn’t really been the case as of late. Since 2010, the only notable upset came in 2014 when the Georgia run defense forgot to show up, allowing a lifeless Florida team beat a top-15 Nick Chubb-led Georgia team. While there have been closer-than-the-experts thought games in this stretch, the better team usually comes out on top.
If that is to happen again this year, the Georgia offense will have to come to play as the Florida defense has been the lone bright spot for the Gators this season. The offensive line will have to be solid to protect Gunner Stockton and let the run game get going.
If the Dawgs can build an early lead, which is a HUGE if this year, then the defense should be able to force young Florida QB DJ Lagway into some mistakes. It may be too much to ask for a sack from a defense that is apparently allergic to such, but asking for an interception against a guy who LSU picked off 5 times seems reasonable.
Mama said the Gators are ornery becuase they got all them coaches but no wins. Let’s hope Mama is right at least one more year, and the Dawgs can destroy some property in St. Simons one more time.
