A tradition unlike any other. Two programs and fanbases that hate each other more than some middle eastern countries. Florida and Georgia will renew their familiar rivalry Saturday, but this time in unfamiliar territory: Atlanta.
There are four other games on the docket, which means it’s time to talk about what you need to know before Saturday. More importantly, here’s what you need to be drinking on Saturday.
South Carolina at Oklahoma
This game feels pretty simple, to be honest. Both teams are sitting at 4-3, and South Carolina is coming off back-to-back top-20 wins for just the third time in program history.
There’s still a very slim chance that the Gamecocks can make the College Football Playoff if they win out. That 1.7% path starts Saturday.
Oklahoma’s offense has been putrid for most of the season, and at its best it’s been one dimensional. The Sooners rank 15th in the SEC in scoring offense and 16th in yards per game and rushing yards per game.
The key for South Carolina is winning the turnover battle. For the previous five seasons the Gamecocks led the SEC in total turnovers with 110 takeaways. This year, they rank dead last in the league with just six turnovers forced. Oklahoma however, ranks last in turnovers lost with 15.
Under Shane Beamer, South Carolina is 6-22 when they lose the turnover battle. They are 30-11 when they finish even or plus in the takeaway department.
The Winning
South Carolina 24, Oklahoma 20
The Boozing
Vegas Bombs and frozen drinks from the Big Chill.
This might be the most perfect drink selection of the entire year. Let’s start with the Big Chill. It’s basically a two to three foot-long tube filled with a frozen drink, similar to the yard drinks you see in New Orleans. The only difference is that this diabetes-inducing Slurpee is served in the desert instead of on Bourbon Street.
The Big Chill is a fitting choice because you can only find it at the New York-New York hotel, where many expected at least one of the quarterbacks in this game to end up for the Heisman Trophy ceremony after the regular season.
Grab one or two of those and a few Vegas Bombs, as well. The loser of this game might want to get familiar with the Crown Royal, peach schnapps and Red Bull combination. Their fan base could be headed to the Las Vegas Bowl in December. And let’s be honest, a trip to Vegas isn’t a bad consolation prize for a season that fell short of preseason expectations.
Florida vs Georgia
One of the best parts of Florida head coach Jon Sumrall’s early success at Florida is that Florida finally has someone on its sideline that hates the team across the field from them as much as Kirby Smart hates the Gators.
This rivalry being meaningful for college football fans once again is a huge win. I expect this game to be close early. Buster Faulkner has had success against Kirby Smart defenses. In three games as a play caller against Georgia, he’s had just two three-and-outs.
Expect more of the same in this one, but Florida moving the ball will probably be a bit more laborious than Georgia against the Gators porous defense. Expect Florida to keep it close early, but Georgia will pour it on late.
Smart is 27-2 off a bye week, and this bye week is following a loss. Godspeed, Florida.
The Winning
Georgia 38, Florida 20
The Boozing
Brown liquor and coke in a red cup.
People talk about the smell of bourbon and whiskey that hits you when you travel to places like Death Valley in Baton Rouge. However, there’s nowhere on earth I’ve experienced that more than Jacksonville, Florida for the Florida-Georgia game.
It’s like a four day hate-filled version of Mardi Gras. From the moment the college kids feel the sand under their Rainbow sandals on Wednesday, it’s on. The drinking is non-stop and so is the trash talking. This game has had some incredible moments over the years, but one thing that has always seemingly been a staple? Brown liquor and anger.
This year’s version will be played inside at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta. So instead of grabbing a red solo cup at the tailgate, head on over to North Ave and get a different type of red cup from The Varsity.
Locals will tell you that no one from Atlanta actually eats at The Varsity, and as a 38-year veteran of living in ATL, I can tell you those people are lame and stupid. It’s like the same people that tried to tell us Creed and Nickelback sucked just because they wanted to be hipster contrarians.
The Varsity rules. Get a chili cheese dog, double cheeseburger, F.O. and ice-cold coke.
As for Florida, what’ll ya have? A big loss in this game, yet again.
