Georgia Pulls Away from Gators, Sets Sights on Kentucky

After a strong start to the season, consensus was beginning to build that Florida was a player again in the SEC title race.

If they were, they're not now.

The Georgia Bulldogs, who have every chance to defend their conference title, saw to that with an emphatic 36-17 victory in Jacksonville, curtailing the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party for some.

 

The result put paid to the Gators' five-game winning streak, as the Bulldogs dominated in virtually every aspect of the game.

Most frustrating for Florida coach Dan Mullen was four of Georgia's TDs came on third-down plays.

The Gators' defense has been their pillar of strength, as their +9 turnover rate confirmed. However, they forced none in this one while the Florida offense gave it up three times.

 

As the game went on, the Gators wore down.

Once Georgia turned Florida into a one-dimensional team -- pass or die -- the fourth quarter was all Bulldog:

 

So, one SEC East co-leader ha been knocked off the top rung, and next weekend's Georgia-Kentucky game in Lexington will determine who's the master of their own fate in the divisional race.

The Wildcats are defense-first, with the offense tossing in a score or two every now and then. Like on the game's last play to nip Missouri -- that's right, Missouri -- 15-14.

 

Whether that works against a more seasoned and explosive attack like Georgia remains to be seen.

But that's why they're gonna play the game.