Take Five Breakdown: Biggest test of the season

Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators

• October Superlatives
• Former Florida Player Feedback: 10 Observations
• Recruit Reaction: I thought the atmosphere was electric
• Parental Perspective: Florida Football Commits Parental RoundTable
• OTM: Is there a path to a fourth year
• Ranking UF’s commits from least to most likely to jump ship
• What names are on your Coaching Hot Board

After a tone-setting, if not season-defining, win against Kentucky, the Florida Gators head up to Jacksonville to take on the No. 2 Georgia. To get a better feel for the Bulldogs, Inside the Gators caught up with Christian Kirby II of Dawgs Daily on SI for a full preview.

Five Georgia Bulldogs to Know

Anthony Evans III, Wide Receiver/Returner, Sophomore

• The Gators need to be ready from the jump as Georgia has a dangerous returner in Anthony Evans III. This season, Evans has returned 14 punts and six kickoffs. For a total of 223 yards. “His ability to flip the field as a punt returner and a kick returner is something that can keep short fields for Georgia’s offense and set them up for success,” Kirby said. He has also shown flashes in the receiving core this season totaling nine receptions for 88 yards.

KJ Bolden, Safety, Freshman

• Due to Dan Jackson being suspended for the first half of the game against Florida, Freshman safety KJ Bolden will have to step up for the Bulldogs. Bolden has had plenty of reps this season as he in the rotation. He even earned an interception against Mississippi State. “The success of Georgia’s secondary will depend on what he can do in the safety position, especially in the first half,” Kirby said. The young defensive back has shown flashes this season, but Saturday will be a test to see if he is ready.

Christen Miller, Defensive Lineman, Sophomore

• Thanks to Christen Miller and the Georgia defensive line, Texas could not get its running game going two weeks ago. This forced the Longhorns to throw the football, which failed, resulting in a 24.0 quarterback rating for Quinn Ewers. “He’s been the pleasant surprise in this room,” Kirby said. “He’s really been a fresh face and has stepped it up in a big way.” Miller has 13 total tackles and a sack this season.

Nate Frazier, Running Back, Freshman

• Although Trevor Etienne is the No. 1 back on this team, Florida must keep an eye on his understudy Nate Frazier. When Etienne was suspended for the season opener against No. 14 Clemson, Frazier had a great game. He rushed 11 times for 83 yards and a touchdown. “Nate Frazier is a freshman who has game breaking potential,” Kirby said. Florida must watch out for the one-two punch between Frazier and Etienne.

Jalon Walker, Linebacker, Junior

• Before playing Texas, linebacker Jalon Walker was having a decent season. After smoking the Longhorns, the Junior has burst on to the national scene after racking up 3.5 sacks and eight tackles against Texas. “It does seem that he is one of Georgia’s alpha leaders and is one of their leaders on defense,” Kirby said. DJ Lagway will have to use his mobility to get out of Walker’s way in Jacksonville.

Five Fast Facts

• If Georgia wins, it will be the first time since the 80’s that the Bulldogs will have won four games in a row in this rivalry.
• The only time this season that Georgia did not score at least 30 points was against Kentucky in a 13-12 win.
• Georgia leads the series 55-44-2.
• The Bulldogs have won six of the last seven matchups.
• Tim Tebow was 3-1 against Georgia, losing to Matthew Stafford in 2007.

Five Game Day Storylines

Stopping Florida’s Run Game

• Dan Jackson is second in tackles (37) behind Malaki Starks (39) on Georgia. With Jackson being suspended for the first half of the game this Saturday, this will be an issue stopping the perimeter run game. With Montrell Johnson Jr. listed as questionable and Treyaun Webb out, it seems that the Bulldogs will have to focus on stopping Jadan Baugh.

Trevor Etienne Against Florida

• It’s safe to say that the Florida defense is hungry to face their former teammate, running back Trevor Etienne. With the addition of the transfer portal, players can go wherever they want. You don’t see a lot of transfers going to rival schools though. Florida Head Coach Billy Napier didn’t seem too bothered by it saying that it isn’t the first time he’s facing a former player, and it won’t be the last. Etienne is coming off his best game of the season, rushing for 87 yards and three touchdowns against Texas.

Bounce Back Game For Beck?

• Carson Beck did not play great against Texas. He completed just 56% of his passes for 175 yards, throwing three interceptions and zero touchdowns. Beck hasn’t protected the football as of late, throwing for eight interceptions in the last four games. Although Georgia is 14.5-point favorites, Beck will need to get his act together against an improving Gators team.

Jason Marshall Jr. Out

• Florida has lost its best defensive back for this game. Jason Marshall Jr. was ruled out for the game after the medical report came out Wednesday night. He has done spectacularly this season when guarding the opposition’s No. 1 receiver. This gives Colorado transfer Cormani McClain an opportunity to step up yet again and help the Florida defense.

SEC Championship Implications

• Georgia plays its last three SEC games in succession starting with Florida. The Bulldogs are currently in second place in the SEC after losing to Alabama in a 75-point thriller. There is no margin of error for the rest of the season as another loss can also affect whether Georgia makes the 12-team playoff.

Prediction

• Joseph Torviso: Georgia 35-24
• Christian Kirby II: Georgia 38-17

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