Everyone knows Florida is 4-3, with losses to the three best teams they have played (Tenn., Texas A&M., and Miami). Florida has beaten Samford, UCF, Miss. St. and UK.
Florida is claiming momentum based on that UK game. However, the UK game may have been a mirage.
Let's compare Florida's last two games, at Tenn. and at home against UK.
At Tenn., a defense comparable to UGA, DJ Lagway, pressed into service when Mertz was injured, was 9/17 (52.9%) for 98 yards 1 TD and 1 Int.
Versus UK, Lagway's completion percentage was worse. He only went 7-14 (50%). However, there was magic in those completions as he threw for an astounding 259 yards on 7 completions (40, 4, 50, 58, 23, 44, 40).
Versus UK, Florida ran the ball 44 times for 196 yards (4.6 avg.), versus 15 passes (1 pass was by someone other than Lagway). Lagway ran the ball for 9 times for 46 yards (he was sacked two times). At Tenn., Florida ran the ball 40 times for 138 (3.5 avg.).
Florida currently has the 46th ranked scoring offense at 30.9 points per game. However, against Miami, Texas A&M, and Tenn., Florida scored 17, 20, and 17 points, respectively (18 point average). For comparison, UGA has the 33rd ranked scoring offense. (33.0 per game).
Florida's defense appears to be the biggest disparity to UGA. Florida is the 66th ranked scoring defense (23.53) compared to UGA at 13th (16.86).
Florida has been particularly bad at 3rd down defense, ranking 77th (allowing 39 out of 98, .398). UGA ranks 14th (allowing 27 out of 90, .300).
Our rush defense is 22nd (107.1 per game). Florida's rush defense is 94th (164.3 per game).
Based on the above, I believe UGA's defense matches up well against Florida. Overall, if we force Lagway to be a pocket passer, play solid run defense, and take away the long passes, we should win easily. These are all strengths of our defense.
Florida is claiming momentum based on that UK game. However, the UK game may have been a mirage.
Let's compare Florida's last two games, at Tenn. and at home against UK.
At Tenn., a defense comparable to UGA, DJ Lagway, pressed into service when Mertz was injured, was 9/17 (52.9%) for 98 yards 1 TD and 1 Int.
Versus UK, Lagway's completion percentage was worse. He only went 7-14 (50%). However, there was magic in those completions as he threw for an astounding 259 yards on 7 completions (40, 4, 50, 58, 23, 44, 40).
Versus UK, Florida ran the ball 44 times for 196 yards (4.6 avg.), versus 15 passes (1 pass was by someone other than Lagway). Lagway ran the ball for 9 times for 46 yards (he was sacked two times). At Tenn., Florida ran the ball 40 times for 138 (3.5 avg.).
Florida currently has the 46th ranked scoring offense at 30.9 points per game. However, against Miami, Texas A&M, and Tenn., Florida scored 17, 20, and 17 points, respectively (18 point average). For comparison, UGA has the 33rd ranked scoring offense. (33.0 per game).
Florida's defense appears to be the biggest disparity to UGA. Florida is the 66th ranked scoring defense (23.53) compared to UGA at 13th (16.86).
Florida has been particularly bad at 3rd down defense, ranking 77th (allowing 39 out of 98, .398). UGA ranks 14th (allowing 27 out of 90, .300).
Our rush defense is 22nd (107.1 per game). Florida's rush defense is 94th (164.3 per game).
Based on the above, I believe UGA's defense matches up well against Florida. Overall, if we force Lagway to be a pocket passer, play solid run defense, and take away the long passes, we should win easily. These are all strengths of our defense.
