The main storylines, for both sides, are about health. Florida is healthy after a bye week; Kentucky is not. Florida is around a 25-point favorite. I think we should roll. Here are some reasons why:
-It's Homecoming. We obviously have a fantastic record on Homecoming. More importantly, I think all the festivities, emotion, etc. for this game will only serve to focus our team that much more. I also think that the Ole Miss thing was a wakeup call, and don't think anyone will catch us like that again this season- especially this game, as the Homecoming thing should get everyone's attention.
-It's likely our farewell to Raycom. At least 3 or 4 guys named Dave will be pissed. But there's a limit on how many times Raycom can choose one team to have the early game, and we've already been on for Hawaii, Ole Miss, and Arkansas. The university can waive the requirement and get on Raycom again- but I think they'd rather get the Citadel game on pay-per-view, and Vanderbilt is really the second-best SEC game of that weekend (Bama v LSU being the no-brainer #1). Anyways, my point in bringing this up is this: it cannot be a bad thing for me to be saying 'goodbye' to Raycom. Another sign in our favor!
-It's Kentucky. Mike Hartline is no Tee Martin. Now that Andre Woodson is gone, can UK stop the streak? I say, 'No'. Don't you agree that's fairly brave of me- after pointing out all the injuries?
-Our offense has found some mojo. I don't mean that I expect 50 points (but probably, I do). I mean I expect us to play an efficient game, converting on 3rd downs and red zone chances. As much as I dislike it, it seems to be Urban's style to go ultraconservative in these games. I think the running game will be featured prominently. And I don't think UK will have the ball in their possession enough time to attempt a miracle comeback like last week. I think this game we show that we're 'scary efficient' and 'fairly unstoppable', but not try to score 70 points in the first quarter. Their defense is rather good, but I say we try to wear them down, and have confidence in our own "defense and field position" philosophy.
-Our defense had better be good enough to stop a team that's lost so many playmakers. Remember how, the week before the Red River Shootout, everyone predicted a 'look-ahead' game for Oklahoma and Texas, and they both won easily, with scary focus? Yeah, that's what we want to show Georgia. The goofy 'cough one up' game has already happened, and our focus will not wane like that again. I don't mean we'll go undefeated, but I expect us to at least lose to good teams (if at all) from here on out.
Anyways, I'll be watching the game with all of our local Gator friends, and my parents are visiting. I'm also sampling a beer I brewed after the Ole Miss loss. We'll see how it all turns out.
