On the eve of the World’s Largest Cocktail Party, we sat down for a Q&A session with Joe Vitale of the Georgia blog UGAFootballLive.com. Here’s the transcript:
Q1) What does Jake Fromm do best that Florida has to be most wary of?
A1) Though he’s struggled at times this season, Jake can still make just about every throw, when given time. The key is, he needs a lot of time or he struggles. He throws a great ball on the corner routes when teams are stacking the box against the run, and expect a few back-shoulder passes as well on verticals. He’s obviously a pass-first type of guy, but he can beat you with his legs if nobody is open. Confidence has been an issue with Jake this season, so he’ll need to step and pull the trigger like he showed last year.
Q2) Sony Michel and Nick Chubb were a frightening running back tandem. But Elijah Holyfield and DeAndre Swift are pretty good too. First, how is Swift healing from his injury, How do you think they compare as a duo to last year’s duo, and what do you think their ceiling is?
A2) Swift was not asked to do much last season behind Chubb and Sony, Georgia’s 2nd & 3rd all-time leading rushers. But he was kind of a hybrid of the two backs, as he can run you over and make you miss on a juke. I think that was a nice change of pace after teams were getting beat up all game by Nick and Sony. This year he has looked good, but right now he’s not the superstar back that Georgia fans hoped he would be. Kirby does not release much info, but it sounds like Swift is healing nicely, but your guess is as good as mine. As for Holyfield, that dude is a flat out a monster. He may not be the most elusive, but he will not go down immediately on contact. He’ll have his share of trucks and he’ll carry defenders for an additional 3-4 yards after contact. It really doesn’t matter who he is playing, he’s probably stronger than his opponent. They’re a good duo, but Nick and Sony were something special. There’s still time for them to improve, though. Nick and Sony did not both fully click until their senior seasons, so it will he fun to watch the two of them continue to get better in the offseason.
Q3) Your defense- which is talented, but young- just got roasted by LSU for 475 yards and 36 points. Is this more likely to deflate them heading into a big game, or piss them off and spur them onto a memorable performance (like 2012?)
A3) Kirby Smart defenses usually respond well to getting punched in the mouth. I’d expect the same with this defense. But at the end of the day, no matter how pissed off they may be, if they can’t get to Felipe Franks than it’s going to be a long day. Georgia’s pass rush ranks 117th in the FBS in sacks.
Q4) Feleipe Franks has unquestionably gotten better from last year, but he’s still struggling in some areas. How do you expect Mel Tucker to call his defense on Saturday?
A4) I’d expect Tucker to bring some heat on Franks and hit him early on. He’ll give Franks a lot of different looks and try and confuse him. He better hope his defense can get to Franks.
Q5) Who would you say is the guy on each side of the ball Florida should be most afraid of?
A5) Elijah Holyfield has been running like a man-possessed lately. Remember former Georgia RB Richard Samuel’s 2011 performance? I’d expect something like that. Holyfield only gets stronger as the game goes on. On defense, outside linebacker D’Andre Walker has been having a great season, accounting for 55% of Georgia’s sacks.
Q6) What’s one thing Gator fans should know about this Georgia team that we don’t already know?
A6) Though the offense has put up huge numbers in all but one game (LSU) it really has not been clicking all that well in a good portion of the games. Especially in the first half, the offense gets off to sluggish starts. If Florida can capitalize on this, or force a turnover, Georgia could have its work cut out.
Q7) Georgia fans frequently complain about the game being in Jax. If you had the power to do anything with this game that you wanted, what would you do and why?
A7) This is the best game in all of college football. Don’t change anything about it. There’s absolutely nothing like attending the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville.
Q8) I don’t get why Georgia fans are so hell bent on claiming a win from 1904. The University of Florida didn’t even play football until 1906. Set the record straight.
A8) Can’t really shed too much light on that. Georgia fans hate Florida. Florida fans hate Georgia. More wins the better.
Q9) Give me a key to the game for Georgia.
A9) Georgia needs to get pressure on Franks. Franks is not a top tier quarterback, but he’s definitely a good enough quarterback to get the job done against almost any team. If the Dawgs give Franks time, he’ll pick us apart. And an addition, Georgia’s defense needs to get off the field on 3rd down and be aware of Franks’ running ability.
Q10) Score prediction, and why?
A10) I’m saying Georgia 24, Florida 20. It’s going to be a physical game, but Dan Mullen does not beat Kirby Smart teams. Not at Mississippi State, not at Florida. Go Dawgs.