Mike Bobo (Offensive Coordinator) – Coach Mike Bobo dialed up a huge road victory against the Longhorns and is now looking forward to doing the same against one of the Dawgs’ biggest rivals. Coach Bobo stands under constant criticism from some Dawg fans, but at a certain point, it becomes an issue of lack of execution. The receivers have struggled to catch passes on well-designed concepts, and sometimes Carson Beck has failed to place the ball where it needs to be. As the season continues, confidence grows among the entire offensive unit, especially after a major win against the No. 1 team.
Trevor Etienne (RB #1) – Coming off of his best game as a Bulldog, Trevor Etienne is headed back to Florida for his homecoming game. This time in Jacksonville, he will be in the red and black. Against Texas, Etienne had a combined total of 110 yards, along with a hat-trick of three TDs. His dynamic presence in the back field has been crucial in the offense’s success to move the ball. Watch for Etienne to put on a show in front of plenty of familiar faces.
Lawson Luckie (TE #7) – The most productive TE of the season has been Lawson Luckie. Luckie’s performance against Texas was not his best, but he already has 162 yards on the season with three TDs. In addition to his pass-catching ability, he has continued to prove himself a threat as a blocker in the run game. Keep an eye on Luckie’s contributions to Georgia’s offense in this upcoming matchup.
Tate Ratledge (OL #69) – Senior lineman Tate Ratledge will most likely make his return to the field for the first time since suffering an ankle injury against Kentucky. He was listed as questionable prior to the Texas game and was available if needed in an emergency situation. As a fifth-year member of the Bulldogs, Ratledge is a leader on the offensive line. Coach Smart even made an effort to mention that if Ratledge is not able to play against Florida, it will not be because he doesn’t work hard. The projected day-two NFL draft pick will be ready to get back out there if physically able.
Joenel Aguero (Safety #8) – One of two safeties to get ejected for targeting against Texas was Joenel Aguero. The call seemed to be somewhat controversial, yet it stood among further review. Tackling and playing defense as a whole gets more difficult every year with every rule evolving to further promote player safety. With that being said, Aguero has been one of the hardest-hitting players on Georgia’s roster this year. Against the Longhorns, the sophomore safety had five total tackles, including an assisted tackle for a loss, before being removed from the game. Expect Aguero to return to the field in the second half with even more of a desire to strike the Gators.
Damon Wilson II (Edge #10) – The entire defensive rotation ate in Austin. Although Jalon Walker recorded most of the stats, Damon Wilson II was right behind him on most big plays. He helped put pressure on Quinn Ewers and the Texas offensive front, recording one sack and a fumble recovery on the night. Wilson II is another young player whose draft stock will continue to climb as he sees the field.
Christen Miller (DL #52) – Christen Miller continues to hold his own on the defensive front. One of the most viral pictures from the Texas game was an offensive lineman visibly grabbing Miller’s jersey as he steamrolled toward Quinn Ewers. There was no flag thrown for holding. The “Trench Dawgs” continue to get healthy as the season moves on, allowing for players like Miller to shine with adequate rotation.
In Georgia’s 44-0 victory over Florida in 1982, Herschel Walker vaulted to the forefront of the Heisman Trophy race, running for three touchdowns and 219 yards as Georgia moved to 9-0.
When the Bulldogs upset Florida 42-30 in 2007, Knowshon Moreno was fantastic, rushing for 188 yards and three touchdowns for a Georgia team that wound up ranked second nationally.
Nakobe Dean had one of the big plays of the day, returning an interception for a touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half in the Bulldogs’ 34-7 victory over the Gators in 2021.