This past weekend I was able to attend my first Georgia-Florida game down in Jacksonville, Fla.
For years I have heard all about this legendary rivalry and the amazing atmosphere that Jacksonville provides for the fans of both the Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida Gators.
Well, all the rumors are true. I don’t think I have ever experienced anything like it. The Georgia-Florida rivalry is definitely one of the best and more thrilling rivalries in all of college football and in sports in general.
The animosity between the two teams and the fans of both schools is something that can be admired. The theme of the weekend was passion, with fans of both sides trying their very best to one-up the other school.
The game has been held in Jacksonville, Fla. for every season since 1933. Jacksonville is a bit closer to the University of Florida than it is to the University of Georgia, but it still does provide a neutral feel to the game that the teams both deserve.
Seeing the entire stadium split down the middle with blue and orange on one side and red and black on the other was a site to see. And the amount of tailgaters that were at this game was unreal. Plus, there was little organization with the tailgating, Georgia fans set up their tents right next to Florida fans and everyone had a blast, aside from the occasional rowdy fans that got into it.
The atmosphere was truly something to be remembered — and for Georgia fans — so too was the game itself.
Sure, the fans make the trip with the intentions of having a great weekend and enjoying the amazing atmosphere, but ultimately everyone that shows up in Jacksonville wants a win. And this year the Bulldogs got that win.
The 17-9 victory over the Gators gave Georgia a win in the rivalry for the second straight season, which is the first time that the Bulldogs won two straight since 1989 when they won their third straight game over Florida 17-10 (1987, 1988, 1989).
The game itself was exciting to be at but I imagine it would be frustrating to watch on television, a very sloppy game from the beginning. Florida had six turnovers in the contest and constantly dug themselves in a hole that got deeper and deeper.
The Gators came into the game with just four turnovers in seven games on the season, to turn the ball over six times in one game certainly didn’t help Florida’s cause.
Georgia didn’t play the best game themselves, but they did make the big plays when they needed to. Specifically linebacker Jarvis Jones who had twelve tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in the game, including a forced fumble near the end zone that clinched the game for Georgia.
Georgia’s win put them in a great spot atop the SEC East where they now control their own destiny. If they win from here on out they will go to the SEC Championship game for the second year in a row where they will likely play Alabama.
And if somehow they beat the Crimson Tide (or whoever they play in the SEC Championship game) then they will be on their way to the BCS National Championship game.
This win was huge for many reasons, it’s nice to win a big rivalry game like this one, but more importantly this win makes Georgia the team to beat in the SEC East.
Tyler Rollason is a Winder-Barrow High School graduate and mass communications major at the University of West Georgia. You can e-mail comments about this column to
tyrollason@yahoo.com.
