Florida quarterback Kyle Trask, center, scrambles against the Georgia defense including defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (95) and defensive lineman Malik Herring (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Past Parallels Define Florida Football vs. Georgia

On Nov. 7, 2020, Kyle Trask threw for 474 yards as No. 8 Florida defeated No. 5 Georgia 44-28. Nearly six years later, that remains the Gators’ most recent victory over their biggest SEC rival.

Since that afternoon, Georgia has won five consecutive meetings, captured two national championships and established itself as one of college football’s most dominant programs. Florida, meanwhile, has struggled to regain the consistency that once made it a regular contender in the SEC.

But this season, the Gators have shown signs that the gap between the two programs could be narrowing.

Under first-year coach Jon Sumrall, No. 17 Florida enters Saturday’s matchup against No. 3 Georgia at 5-2 with victories over two top-10 opponents. The Gators defeated No. 4 Ole Miss 52-28 in September before upsetting No. 7 Texas 27–24 in Austin two weeks ago. Those victories gave Florida something it has lacked entering recent meetings with Georgia: evidence that it can compete with the SEC’s best.

Florida’s 2020 victory came during one of the program’s most successful offensive seasons in recent memory. Led by Trask and coach Dan Mullen, the Gators overcame an early deficit against Georgia and scored 38 unanswered points to take control. It was Florida’s first victory over Georgia since 2016 and helped propel the Gators toward an SEC Championship Game appearance.

What followed was a dramatic shift in the rivalry.

Georgia defeated Florida 34-7 in 2021, beginning a stretch of three consecutive victories by at least 22 points. The Bulldogs won 42-20 in 2022 and 43-20 in 2023 before extending the streak with a 34-20 victory in 2024.

Last year’s meeting was considerably closer. Florida stayed within striking distance throughout the afternoon before falling 24-20, marking its fifth straight loss in the series.

While Georgia continued building under coach Kirby Smart, Florida cycled through leadership changes and struggled to establish a consistent identity. Now, Sumrall has an opportunity to reverse that trend in his first season in Gainesville.

Florida’s early-season victory over No. 4 Ole Miss provided the first indication that the Gators could compete with nationally ranked opponents.

Against the Rebels, Florida rushed for 302 yards and scored 35 second-half points in a commanding 52-28 victory. Running back Jadan Baugh led the effort with 142 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Aaron Philo added 196 passing yards and a touchdown. The afternoon was Florida’s highest-scoring against an SEC opponent since 2020, another connection to the last season in which the Gators defeated Georgia.

But the momentum didn’t sustain. Florida suffered consecutive losses to Missouri and South Carolina, falling 45-17 and 38-19. The defeats raised questions about whether the Gators had the depth to hold with SEC opponents through a nine-game conference schedule.

Yet two weeks later, Florida answered with another significant victory. Trailing No. 7 Texas by 14 points, the Gators rallied for a 27-24 road win behind quarterback Tramell Jones Jr., who made his first career start as Philo nursed a shoulder injury. It was Florida’s first road victory over a top-10 opponent since defeating Florida State in 2012. The win returned Florida to the AP poll.

With victories over Ole Miss and Texas already on its résumé, Florida now has an opportunity to add a defining win against the Bulldogs .Despite Florida’s recent success, Georgia presents a challenge unlike most the Gators have faced this season.

The No. 3 Bulldogs enter this Saturday’s matchup 6-1. Georgia leads the SEC in both scoring offense, averaging 43 points per game, and scoring defense, allowing just 15.9 points. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has thrown for 1,570 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Georgia’s defense ranks among the nation’s best in total yards allowed.

However, the Bulldogs are coming off their first loss of the season, a 27-24 upset against Auburn that ended their 53-game unbeaten streak against unranked opponents.

The result demonstrated that Georgia is, in fact, human. For Florida, that means establishing its running game, controlling possession and limiting turnovers against a defense capable of punishing mistakes will prove crucial. What remains the same: Georgia is looking to extend its dominance and remain in contention for another SEC championship. Florida is seeking its third top-10 victory of the season and a chance to end a losing streak that has defined the rivalry for much of the past decade.

A victory wouldn’t erase Florida’s struggles over the past five seasons, nor would it guarantee the program’s return to national prominence. But it would represent a meaningful step forward for a team attempting to rebuild its place among the SEC’s elite.

Florida has already beaten Ole Miss. It has already beaten Texas. On Saturday, the Gators will have the opportunity to do something no Florida team has accomplished since Nov. 7, 2020.

Beat Georgia.

Category: Football