SEC Round-Up: Quarterback aside, efficiency crucial for Gators against Bulldogs
There is a constant question in Gainesville, Fla. just begging to be answered.
Will Emory Jones or Anthony Richardson start at quarterback for the Gators against No. 1 Georgia on Saturday?
Coach Dan Mullen apparently won’t provide an answer until the Gators offense takes the field.
“We will play a quarterback on Saturday,” Mullen said on Wednesday. “We will have a quarterback on the field.”
The majority of Florida fans want Richardson, a redshirt freshman who has had some stellar moments.
The 6-foot-4, 236-pound Richardson has rushed for 348 yards and three touchdowns even though he did not play against Alabama or Tennessee. He came on to throw three touchdown passes but also had two interceptions in a loss to LSU.
However, Mullen has stuck with junior Emory Jones, who has thrown 10 touchdown passes, but nine interceptions.
That doesn’t bode well for facing top-ranked Georgia, which ranks among the nation’s Top 20 in interceptions with eight.
Florida has to be as efficient as possible against its border state arch-rival.
Georgia’s defense has allowed the fewest points in the nation. The Bulldogs are ranked second nationally against the run and pass. They lead the nation in total defense.
No SEC team has rushed for more than 75 yards against Georgia. Only Auburn has passed for more than 214 yards on the Bulldogs.
No Georgia opponent has managed more than one touchdown.
That all leads to another question regarding Florida’s quarterbacks.
Does it really matter who starts?
Around the SEC
Who’s hot: It seems only an open week can cool off Texas A&M defensive end Tyree Johnson. He’s tied for third in the SEC with six sacks. Five of those have been posted in the last three games.
Who’s not: How bad are things in Baton Rouge? LSU is now losing in an open week. Lame-duck head coach Ed Orgeron announced on Wednesday morning that the Tigers didn’t have enough healthy players for a full-contact practice on Wednesday or a scrimmage on Thursday. He said 14 players were injured. Seven starters have been lost for the season. The most recent loss is Anthony Bradford, who had been splitting time with Cam Wire at left tackle. The Tigers also apparently lost linebacker Navonteque Stong, who reportedly entered the transfer portal. A week earlier, receiver Koy Moore entered the portal.
Keep an eye on: The Ole Miss offensive line could be in trouble against Auburn. The Rebels lost guard Ben Brown to injury last week. He was their best interior lineman. He’d started 40 games in his career. Senior Jordan Rhodes, a transfer from South Carolina, or redshirt freshman Cedric Melton will take Brown’s place.
The pressure is on: Florida Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham is becoming a scapegoat for the Gators disappointing 4-3 record. In its most recent game, Florida allowed 49 points and 321 rushing yards in a 49-42 loss to LSU. The Gators — and Grantham — will be in serious trouble if they don’t have a stalwart defensive showing against Georgia because the Bulldogs don’t figure to give up many points.
Best matchup: Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez leads the SEC with 775 rushing yards. He averages 110.7 rushing yards per game. He’s gained at least 99 yards in all of the Wildcats’ five FBS victories. However, none of those opponents were as strong against the run as Auburn’s defense. The Tigers are ranked 33rd in run defense, though they allowed more than 200 rushing yards in their most recent games against Georgia and Arkansas.
This week’s SEC schedule
- Ole Miss at Auburn
- Florida vs. Georgia at Jacksonville
- Kentucky at Mississippi State
- Missouri at Vanderbilt
