No. 5 Georgia faces Florida in final Jacksonville matchup

No. 5 Georgia will face Florida on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Jacksonville in a game that could help define both teams’ seasons: Georgia is pushing toward an SEC title and a College Football Playoff berth, while Florida, led by interim coach Billy Gonzales after Billy Napier’s Oct. 19 firing, is seeking a turnaround in a bitter rivalry played this year as the final Jacksonville edition before stadium renovations move the series to other cities. Georgia enters as roughly a 7.5 point favorite.

The Bulldogs have shown resilience this season, rallying from halftime deficits in multiple conference games and closing out wins through late defensive stands. Coach Kirby Smart emphasized the stakes and the rivalry’s intensity ahead of the game, saying, "If you cant get up for a game like this, you dont need to be playing." Georgia’s offense has produced despite offensive line instability earlier in the season, and the team figures to leverage its depth and talent in the neutral-site matchup.

Florida arrives in Jacksonville reeling from a coaching change but coming off a bye week in which players were asked to regroup. Receiver J. Michael Sturdivant urged focus amid the uncertainty, saying,...