By: Kenneth Harrison

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

We’re approaching the Halloween matchup with #3 Georgia and #17 Florida. EverBank stadium in Jacksonville is undergoing “Stadium of the Future” renovations, so the game has been moved to Atlanta.

This is a part of the Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The inaugural game was last season’s Georgia Tech/Georgia game on Black Friday.

This is obviously a big game for both teams. UGA was ranked #1 after Texas lost the week before. They only spent one week in the top spot after losing to unranked Auburn at home, 27-24.

The Tigers were 3-2 going into that game, so I didn’t think they stood a chance against the Bulldogs.

“We helped them,” said Georgia coach Kirby Smart. “We had three turnovers and critical penalties. … We had some really, really untimely, uncharacteristic and undisciplined penalties.”

Smart said Gunner Stockton was cleared after being checked for a concussion following the opening drive but also was seen by trainers following a hit to his throwing shoulder. “He had a stinger in his shoulder that numbs your shoulder,” Smart said. “That happens a lot in football.”

That’s good news and Stockton will have an additional week to heal before the game.

Jon Sumrall is in his first season as the head ball coach in Gainesville. Going into the season, the expectations were low for the Gators. They won their first three games to start the season, including a win at Auburn.

Things changed when they beat #4 Ole Miss 52-28 in their fourth game. Florida moved up to 8^th in the polls after that. The following week, they got blown out by #25 Mizzou, 45-17. They lost a second consecutive game on homecoming to a bad South Carolina team, 38-19.

In their last game they had a road game at #7 Texas. The Longhorns were coming off of a loss to rival Oklahoma and lost the top spot in the rankings. It’s safe to say they were in a bad mood heading into this game.

Starting QB Aaron Philo was injured in the Carolina game so he couldn’t play.

Sophomore QB Tramell Jones started and he played well. UF won, 27-24. Jones threw two touchdown passes to Lacota Dippre. He completed 22 of 35 passes for 155 yards. He also had 10 carries for 41 yards.

“I didn’t take it any bigger than it was,” Jones said. “It feels great, but this is just the start. It’s not over.”

RB Jadan Baugh rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown.

“We kept fighting. We didn’t do that the past couple of weeks, to be honest with you. When things got tough, we flinched the last couple weeks,” Sumrall said. “Our team grew today … because we fought.”

The Gators earned the program’s first road win at a top-10 opponent since 2012.

Georgia’s ranked 4^th in the SEC in total defense and Florida is ranked 13^th.

The Gators have played three ranked teams thus far. UGA has played one ranked team (#2 Alabama). That means Florida won’t be intimidated in this game because they’re used to playing good teams.

Auburn rushed for 192 yards against the Bulldogs and they averaged 4.2 yards per rush. Florida runs the ball well.

I think this will be a close game and I’m looking forward to seeing who will win.