By: Robert Craft

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

I have always believed that stars matter when it comes to college football recruiting. Old time coaches used to say that “it’s not about the X’s and O’s, but the Jimmies and Joes.” Some sayings never go out of style.

With the annual “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” just around the corner, let’s breakdown the roster team talent composite rankings.

Since Kirby Smart arrived at Georgia, he has pulled in recruiting classes no lower than number 6. Georgia has signed the nation’s number 6, 3, 1 and 2 recruiting classes.

Georgia’s current roster is loaded. The Bulldogs are number 3 in team composite ranking (Alabama 1 & Ohio State 2). Georgia has 14 Five-Star players, the most in college football.

The Bulldogs have a composite score of 960.16.

Georgia also leads the nation in dollars spent legally on recruiting, The Bulldogs spent $2,626,622.00 in 2019, the most in college sports.

Take a look at where Georgia’s opponents rank:

Vanderbilt 53,

Arkansas 102,

Notre Dame 14,

Tennessee 15,

South Carolina 21,

Kentucky 34,,

Missouri 39,

Auburn 13,

Texas A&M 12,

Georgia Tech 45,

and Florida 15 .

Moving onto my Florida Gators, Dan Mullen in his second year at Florida has signed the number 14th and 9th classes the past two years.

The Gators have zero Five Stars players and a team composite score of 835.68.

Florida is ranked 14th in dollars spend in recruiting. The Gators spent $1,155,802.00 last year in recruiting.

Take a look at where Florida opponents rank:

Miami 18,

Kentucky 34,

Tennessee 15,

Auburn 13,

LSU 5 ,

South Carolina 21,

Georgia 3,

Vanderbilt 53,

Missouri 39,

and Florida State 6.

If you just go by the team composite ranking, this should not be much of contest. There is a 134.48- difference between the teams. Georgia should be a two touchdown favorite on November 2nd.

Now to the X’s and O’s, Kirby Smart versus Dan Mullen.

Kirby Smart is in his 5th season as the Bulldogs head coach with a record of 38-11 and 2-2 in bowl games.

Kirby’s biggest win to date is the come from behind win against Oklahoma in the 2017 Rose Bowl. Kirby has upgraded Georgia’s roster to an elite level.

However, there are questions about Kirby’s performance in big games, especially with national interest, such as National Championship game against Alabama, SEC Championship game against Alabama, 2018 blow out lost to LSU, and 2019 Sugar Bowl loss to Texas.

Dan Mullen is in his 2nd season as the Gator head coach with a record of 17-4 and 1-0 in bowl games. Mullen is known as a quarterback whisperer. He is the all time winningest coach at Mississippi State. Taking Mississippi State to a school record eight straight bowl appearances.

Mullen’s strength is X’s and O’s and development of players. Mullen has a track record of taking 3-Stars players and turning them into quality NFL prospects.

Jimmies and Joes will always determine the outcome. There is a definite talent difference in this game. Can coaching and game planning beat pure athleticism?

Gators vs Bulldogs, the winner of this is in the driver’s seat for the SEC EAST.

November 2nd, Jacksonville, Florida, Jimmies and Joes vs. X’s and O’s.