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The storied college football rivalry between the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs will add another chapter this weekend, with significant playoff implications hanging in the balance. The two programs, whose series history dates back to either 1904 or 1915 depending on the source, will meet for the 101st time (or 98th, per Florida's records) in a matchup that has seen Georgia dominate recently, winning eight of the last 10 meetings.
This year's edition of the rivalry, traditionally known as the 'World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party,' is moving from its usual Jacksonville home at EverBank Stadium—which is undergoing renovations—to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Bulldogs enter the game ranked No. 3 and are coming off a bye week following a surprising loss to Auburn in Week 7, while the No. 20 Gators look to pull off an upset.
USA TODAY Sports' team of experts—Craig Meyer, Austin Curtright, John Leuzzi, Jordan Mendoza, and Adam Bittner—all foresee a Georgia victory, with predicted margins ranging from 2 to 15 points. Their average score prediction is Georgia 31.6, Florida 22.2.
Key Analysis
Curtright highlighted the challenge awaiting Florida and head coach Jon Sumrall, noting that Georgia will be eager to rebound after its upset loss and bye week. 'The Bulldogs are going to look like a different team against the Gators, and I'm expecting a big win,' he said. The game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 31, and will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
In contrast, Gators Wire's expert panel offered mixed predictions, with two of four picking Florida to win. Michael Trim Jr. predicted a 31-26 Florida victory, while Adam Dubbin chose 24-21 Florida. David Rosenberg and Michael Long both picked Georgia, with scores of 27-23 and 28-24, respectively.
Originally reported by yahoo.