WATCH: Keiwan Ratliff narrates Florida releases hype video ahead of Georgia game
If Florida Gators fans weren’t hyped enough for this week’s showdown against their bitter SEC East rival Georgia, this video is sure to get their blood flowing. This week’s video features former All-SEC defensive back Keiwan Ratliff and delivers just the right amount of energy to get Florida fans ready for this match-up.
Both the Gators and the Bulldogs have had plenty of time to prepare for this match-up, as they are both coming off their bye week. The Gators are 4-3 on the season, losing their last game just before the bye against LSU. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are the nation’s top-ranked team, at 7-0, thanks to their top-ranked defense.
Florida’s QB struggled at LSU
Before its bye, Florida fell on the road at LSU. The Gators were able to match the productivity of the Tigers, but could not overcome the series of turnovers committed by both quarterbacks. Starting quarterback Emory Jones and backup Anthony Richardson both threw a pair of interceptions in the game. Neither’s production through the air in terms of yards was anything of note, but Richardson did throw three touchdowns. Making matters worse for Florida’s turnover problem was the absence of the running game. As a team, they rushed for 138 yards. However, they did not have a single-player rush for more than 50 yards in a game for the first time this season.
On the year, Jones is 67.4% for 1304 yards, 10 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Richardson, in two fewer games, is 56.8% with 392 passing yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Both quarterbacks will need to have a near-perfect day versus Georgia on Saturday in Jacksonville. The Bulldogs defense is No. 2 in the country in passing defense, limiting teams to 144.9 yards through the air (and 63.4 on the ground).
Again with the rankings
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is not fooled by the Gators not being ranked. He is preparing his team for a battle, regardless of how they are ranked.
“This game is not about rankings; it’s never been about rankings. It’s a rivalry game. Our kids understand that one of their losses was to Alabama, which they played a really good game at home, and had an opportunity to win. Then they lost two road games,” Smart said. “So, it’s not about records. I don’t think it ever is. It’s a lot more about what we do, not about records.”
The Florida Gators started off the season ranked No. 13 in the AP poll and rose to No. 11 by Week 2. And even after a narrow defeat at the hands of the then top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, the Gators remained at 11 the following week. Since then, Florida has gone 2-2, losing its road games to Kentucky and LSU.