Colleges

The Question hangs over Richt

Fans want to know - can Georgia reverse a 2-15 skid vs. UF?

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published October 25, 2007

GAINESVILLE - In the midst of the handshakes, hugs and autograph sessions during the offseason booster circuit, when Georgia coach Mark Richt is making his rounds, there's always that one question he can't seem to escape.

Are we going to beat Florida this year?

"The fans want to know," Richt said - especially the fans who live closest to Gainesville and Jacksonville.

With three SEC Eastern Division titles and two SEC championships in his six-year tenure, Richt has proven himself to be an asset for the Bulldogs. But that nagging Florida thing still lingers.

The Gators have won 15 of the past 17 meetings against Georgia and have lost just once to Richt's teams (in 2004), which has clearly altered the definition of rivalry, in Richt's opinion.

"A rival game needs to be more equal in who wins and loses, which it hasn't been lately," Richt said. "It's been a rivalry of streaks. It's not like our rivalry with Auburn, which just seems to be very close games and also spread out to where no one has had a huge run, at least lately. Florida has just been dominating as of late, where earlier Georgia used to dominate."

Which brings us to Saturday.

No. 9 Florida (5-2, 3-2 SEC) and No. 20 Georgia (5-2, 3-2) are tied for first in the SEC East. So if ever there was a time to get those Georgia fans off their backs, for the Bulldogs it is now.

For the first time since 1991, Georgia is coming into the game after having a week off; and Richt is 9-2 following a bye week.

Georgia averages 363 yards per game and will face a Florida defense that has had to replace 10 starters from last season and is progressing at a much slower pace than Gator coaches had anticipated.

"I was hoping we would be much farther along than we are, but I also appreciated and see what's going on," UF coach Urban Meyer said. "We need tighter coverage and at some points you have to knock the ball down or go intercept a pass. Not one that is tipped to you; you have to step in front and make a play and that comes with confidence and experience."

Florida is 95th nationally in pass defense and dead last in the SEC, allowing 256.5 yards per game. UF opponents are completing 61.5 percent of their passes against the Gators.

Georgia sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford has passed for 1,364 yards this season, and the Florida coaches understand the challenge the secondary is facing.

"He's talented, he's got a great arm," Florida cornerbacks coach Chuck Heater said. "He's a prototype NFL guy in terms of just the physical things. This kid can really throw the football."

The Gators are fresh off a big win over then-No. 8 Kentucky, a game where its offense seemed to operate the best it has all season.

"It is a good feeling," senior center Drew Miller said. "We have so many weapons and an experienced offensive line. That is the way we feel it should be every game."

Richt insists he doesn't feel added pressure, but said the Bulldogs recognize the significance of the game, what's at stake - and the opportunity to turn the tide Georgia's way.

"We're going into game eight and we're still playing a game that has a lot of relevance in this Eastern division race," Richt said. "It's great for both schools, it's great for the SEC. It's great for college football fans around the country because it's on national TV."

And it'll be great for Georgia fans if they can just alter that losing streak.

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.

[Last modified October 24, 2007, 20:30:17]