We are excited to once again have legendary broadcaster Frank Frangie offer his insights into the Georgia-Florida game. Frank is one of the great college football minds and commentators in the business. He is an acclaimed, award-winning talk show host in Jacksonville and the Voice of the Jacksonville Jaguars. I’ve been honored to be a guest on his show many times.

What have been some of the biggest factors in Florida’s improved play?

Florida has played better defensively. They seem to crowd the line more, blitz more, put more in the box, and that seems to have helped. Also, lots of young defensive players have just gotten better organically. They’ve played more. The improved defense has forced some three and outs and put less pressure on the offense to keep up in track meets. That is the big thing.

What does Florida need to do to beat Georgia?

For starters, they have to play physically. Nobody is more physical than Georgia. If you aren’t going to be physical, no point in showing up. I like crowding the box, even though I think Carson Beck is very good. But that’s when Florida is at its best.

Offensively, DJ Lagway needs to play free and easy. He is a real talent, but he is a true freshman and freshmen tend to think a lot. He needs to just play. They also have a true freshman running back in Jaden Baugh who might be really special. He scored five touchdowns against Kentucky last week. He is from the Atlanta area, and it makes sense he grew up not far from Athens because he reminds me of some of those big Georgia backs of old. He is six-feet, 235 pounds and can really move his feet. Florida needs to be able to run some so those great defensive ends can’t just tee off on Lagway.

What is your take on the Bulldogs?

I think Georgia is loaded, per usual. The first half of the Alabama game is the ultimate outlier, but the way the Bulldogs came roaring back and almost won the game shows their mental toughness. Lots of teams would have quit. And of course, the way they boat-raced Texas. Georgia probably has the best team in the nation. When Beck is right, and when Trevor Etienne is running well, nobody is going to beat them.

With the stadium renovations, what do you see for the future of the Cocktail Party in Jacksonville?

I doubt the game will leave here any time soon, other than 2026 and ‘27 —when it has to move— because the stadium is being renovated. I get a hunch those two years will not be played in Gainesville and Athens like they were in 1994 and ‘95, rather Atlanta and possibly Tampa or Orlando. Just a gut.

But this new stadium will be amazing, truly state of the art. The opportunity to play in it, and the amount of revenue the two schools will make by playing here, will be too much for the schools to pass up.

How would you like to see the SEC set up the schedule moving forward, starting with the new contracts, etc. in 2026?

I’m in favor of a nine-game league schedule, which is where I think it is headed. My preference is two permanent opponents and seven rotating ones (2-7 model), but I’m guessing they land with a 3-6 model. The math in the 3-6 allows teams to play in every stadium over a four-year stretch. They have to do a better job of maintaining strength of schedule balance within the league. Florida and Georgia both play brutal league schedules this year while others have it much easier.

As the voice of the Jags and one of the most respected college football commentators in the land, what are some things the pros do that you would like to see college do, and vice versa?

I’ll go a different way with this one. I prefer the differences in the games. In fact, one of the things that bugs me is when they copy each other too much. I don’t like a two-minute “timeout” in college football each half. That’s a pro thing. I prefer the clock always stopping on a first down, even momentarily. I like the college overtime rule much better, but I wouldn’t want to see the NFL adopt it.

College football should probably back up the extra point, so it’s a 33-yard kick instead of 20 yards. Kickers are so good now, the college extra point is pointless. But for the most part, keep the rules a bit different. Those differences represent the charm of each sport.

What is your score prediction?

Florida is much improved. And I’ll say this —they play really hard for Billy Napier. Despite the noise in the system and all the criticisms and hot seat stuff, he hasn’t lost the locker room. The culture is very good. They just need more good players.

Then there is Georgia, which has culture, fight, a lot of really good players, and a terrific coach.

The Gators have improved, but they can’t hang with the Bulldogs. Georgia 34-17.