Georgia Bulldogs

Join our ESPN.com college football experts as they preview Week 9.

Now's the time to send us your best tailgate photos feature your food, family and friends. Tweet your pictures to @ESPNCFB or upload them directly to the chat and we'll post the best ones. Here are our previous tailgates.

Edward Aschoff points out that Jarvis Jones will be the key player in the annual Florida-Georgia rivalry in Jacksonville, Fla.

Aschoff and Chris Low break down Florida-Georgia and much more in their weekly SEC podcast. Listen here

Pitt doesn't want WR Robert Foster to leave the Keystone State and USC hopes to keep CB Max Redfield in Cali. The local programs' bid to keep those two stars in-state highlights this week's #BlueChipBattles .

#BlueChipBattles is the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to voice your opinion on our list or to view other fans' reactions as the commitments begin to roll in. Get recruiting updates on the players above as well as the nation's other top football prospects here: @RecruitingESPN.

Note: During this rivalry week, DawgNation will offer you a peek behind enemy lines with links to GatorNation stories.

Michael DiRocco writes: The Florida coaching staff is making the right calls at halftime, and the unbeaten Gators are executing in the second half.

DiRocco writes: Each day this week, GatorNation has a top five list that captures the colorful history of the Florida-Georgia series. Here are the top 5 plays.

DiRocco writes: Game preview -- Florida vs. Georgia

Video preview: DiRocco and Jeff Barlis break down the critical SEC East showdown between No. 2 Florida and No. 10 Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla.

Derek Tyson writes : ESPN 150 safety Marcell Harris will likely make his college decision before Dec. 5 according to his mother, Andrea Tate, who was impressed with Florida’s academics after their most recent official visit.

Editor’s note: Each week, the good folks at ESPN Stats and Information will help us take a look inside the numbers that matter prior to Georgia’s games. We’ll share some of their data here on the blog every Friday this fall.

NO. 10 GEORGIA VS. NO. 2 FLORIDA
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla.

1. Second-half Gators: It is a well-publicized fact that Florida has dominated in the second half this season, coming back from halftime deficits in its wins against Texas A&M, Tennessee and LSU. The Gators allowed a combined six points, 304 yards and six plays of 10 yards or more in the second halves of those games.

A key factor in Florida’s second-half success is that it averages 6 minutes, 30 seconds more in time of possession than its opponents in the third and fourth quarters -- the largest differential in the nation. One reason for that differential is that the Gators run on 77.5 percent of their second-half plays (fifth-most in the FBS) with Mike Gillislee leading the charge.

The senior tailback is averaging 2 more yards per carry in the second half compared to the first in SEC play and has logged 128 of his 311 second-half rushing yards after first contact with a defender:



Note: Gillislee has 128 yards after contact.

2. Big-play Bulldogs: Thus far in seven games, Georgia’s offense has already compiled more plays that covered 30 yards or more (24) than it did in 14 games last season (23). The only game where Georgia didn’t have at least one play of 30-plus was its 35-7 loss to South Carolina.

Prior to the South Carolina game, the last time Georgia failed to have at least one 30-yard play was in its 24-20 win against Florida last season. That sets up an interesting matchup Saturday against a stingy Florida defense. The Gators have surrendered 21 plays of 20-plus yards this season, only three of which were rushes. The three 20-yard runs are tied for the fifth fewest in the FBS and the 21 plays are tied for 12^th.



Note: Georgia is tied for the FBS lead in 20-plus-yard plays and 50-plus-yard touchdowns.

3. Murray, King and the deep ball: After accounting for 188 yards on nine catches last week against Kentucky, receiver Tavarres King is on a roll entering the Florida game. Quarterback Aaron Murray is completing 72 percent of his passes when targeting King this season, more than 20 percent better than his targets of King a season ago.

They have been a particularly effective combination on throws of 15 yards or longer. Murray is 9-for-13 on such throws to King with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Last season, Murray completed just 28.1 percent of the same passes with four touchdowns and two interceptions.

On all throws of 20 yards or longer, Murray has completed 50 percent of his passes compared to 28.8 a season ago. He has five touchdowns and no interceptions on those throws this season after notching 11 TDs and five picks in 2011 (he was 0-for-4 when throwing long against Florida last season).

Note: During this rivalry week, DawgNation will offer you a peek behind enemy lines with links to GatorNation stories.

Michael DiRocco writes: Florida needs sophomore QB Jeff Driskel to continue to take care of the ball in order to beat Georgia.

DiRocco writes: Each day this week, GatorNation will have a list that captures the colorful history of the series. These are the top 5 goofs in Florida-Georgia history.

Video: DiRocco and Jeff Barlis compare the Gators' and Bulldogs' special teams heading into the BCS top 10 showdown.

DiRocco writes : Florida-Georgia storylines

DiRocco writes: Q&A with DawgNation’s David Ching

We've got a few big games in the SEC this weekend and here's what you should be watching out for in Week 9:

1. Taking the East: It'll be quite the party in Jacksonville on Saturday, as this game will essentially decide the SEC East. If Florida wins, the Gators are headed back to Atlanta for the first time since 2009. A Georgia win gives the Bulldogs the edge in the East race from here on out. The Gators haven't dealt with success like this lately, so it'll be interesting to see how this team comes out against a Bulldogs team that has its back against the wall, just like last season. One thing playing in Georgia's favor is this team has been here before and fought its way out of a corner ... all the way to the SEC championship game.

2. Pressuring McCarron: A lot of the talk surrounding the Alabama-Mississippi State matchup has dealt with AJ McCarron facing Mississippi State's very talented secondary. But if the Bulldogs are going to stop Alabama's balanced offense, they have to put pressure on McCarron and force him to make mistakes. The Bulldogs haven't been great at hurrying the quarterback this season and have registered just 11 sacks on the year, while Alabama's line has given up just 15 sacks. Obviously, this team has to defend the run, but getting to McCarron is going to be very important for Mississippi State's defense.

3. Arkansas' revival: Remember when the Razorbacks were basically dead in the water? Well, Arkansas has won two straight and things are starting to click for the Hogs. Their last two wins have come against Auburn and Kentucky, but wins are wins in this league, and Arkansas' confidence is flowing right now. Saturday's game with Ole Miss is crucial as far as Arkansas' bowl hopes go. The Hogs need three more wins and one of them has to come Saturday with the gauntlet that is November coming up. Players said the bye week helped clean up some of the little things, and that defense will have to be at its best against Ole Miss' high-powered offense.

4. Slowing down the run: Going back to the Hogs' defense, if Arkansas is going to control Ole Miss' offense, it has to stop the Rebels on the ground. Ole Miss is fourth in the SEC in rushing, averaging 211.4 yards per game. Arkansas has stopped the run well in its past two games, but neither of those running games were on par with Ole Miss' rush game. Tennessee and Georgia also have to control the opposing run games. Florida is third in the league in rushing and its offense has gone the way of its rushing attack for most of the year. If the Bulldogs can force Florida into more passing situations, it could benefit Georgia. The same goes for Tennessee, as the Gamecocks will look to run Marcus Lattimore as much as possible. Connor Shaw struggled throwing the ball last week, so the Vols will try to make him beat them Saturday.

5. Georgia's defensive toughness: Senior safety Shawn Williams created a stir when he called the play of his defense "soft" and then proceeded to name which linebackers should be playing more. Some feelings were hurt, but Mark Richt hopes it motivates his players. Williams' words very well could, but the pressure is now on him to play one of his best games. But this defense has to toughen up as a whole. It hasn't played well in the past three games, and that has to change against Florida's tough running game. Giving up big plays have really hurt this defense lately, and Georgia can't afford that Saturday.

6. Big-game time for Russell: Georgia's Aaron Murray isn't the only one with a lot to prove when it comes to big games this weekend. While he's looking for his third career win over a Top 25 team, Mississippi State's Tyler Russell is looking for a signature win in his career. Beating Alabama would certainly be that win. Russell has been tremendously efficient this season, tossing 15 touchdowns to just one interception. He'll have to be at his absolute best against Alabama's defense. This is the biggest game of his career, so keep an eye on how he deals with that pressure.

7. Johnny Football's rebound: Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel found second-half struggles in the loss to LSU, but he'll have the chance to really rebound this weekend against Auburn's floundering defense. The Tigers are giving up more than 400 yards a game, and Manziel has the ability to gash this defense through the air and on the ground. Manziel was getting some Heisman love before the LSU game, but his hopes haven't been destroyed. He can still make a run, and good outings against tough defenses in November will help.

8. Making the bowl push: This is an important weekend for a few teams still trying to make postseason runs. Vanderbilt needs three more wins and should get one easily Saturday against UMass. Ole Miss and Arkansas are in a bowl fight as well. The Razorbacks have to win this one if they are going get the three more wins required to become bowl eligible, while getting to five wins on the season now would only help the Rebels, especially with a tough November approaching. Tennessee has a favorable November ahead, but this is a game that could either help or really hurt this team's confidence going forward. Missouri is essentially in a must-win situation for a bowl. November will be a very tough stretch for the Tigers, so beating Kentucky is crucial for the postseason.

9. Getting the offense back on track: Missouri's offense hasn't been very explosive at all this season. Injuries have certainly hurt it, but SEC defenses haven't had much trouble shutting down the Tigers when they have the ball. Coach Gary Pinkel said before the bye week that things had to be simplified on offense, and he thinks that will happen going forward. It starts with backup quarterback Corbin Berkstresser being more comfortable in place of James Franklin. South Carolina is also looking to revive its offense after a very poor showing against Florida. The Gators' defense certainly was a big part of South Carolina's struggles, but the passing game was just ugly in general. All eyes will be on Shaw, but having a healthier Lattimore running the ball should help him.

10. Tennessee's fight: The Vols have had some really bad luck when it comes to keeping up in games. They put up a few big plays against Alabama last week, but averaged just 4 yards immediately following plays of 20 or more yards. After big defensive stops, Alabama came roaring back with scoring drives. The Vols also had back-to-back comeback attempts thwarted by opponents in the fourth quarter in the weeks prior. It might not appear likely, but Tennessee could still make it to the postseason and could still win eight games. But the Vols have to keep going mentally. With the losses and all the talk about Derek Dooley's job, it could be easy for this team to quit, but there's too much of the season left. Saturday's game is a chance for redemption. It's early, so Tennessee could catch South Carolina off guard. But if things are too far gone in Knoxville, this team could roll over at the first sign of adversity.