Florida looks to tell new narrative with a win over Georgia

Narrative has been a big theme for the Gators this season.

ESPN and others made a point to disrespect the Gators after close wins against Miami and Kentucky. In fact, it really took a loss against LSU to garner any respect from the national media at all.

That means that the 2019 Florida-Georgia game is a chance for the Gators to prove themselves. Whether that means proving worthy of their consistent top 10 ranking, worthy of running the SEC East or even worthy of a playoff spot, the entire team has an axe – or an oar – to grind Saturday.

The Senior Class

The Gators come into this game knowing what it takes to be “in the conversation.” That happened last year, when Florida came into the matchup with Georgia with both in the top-10 but the Gators came up short.

Florida’s current seniors have a chance to go beyond just being in the conversation on Saturday against Georgia though. That’s because these seniors are in a unique spot in that they learned what not to do their first two years under Jim McElwain but have now had two years to learn what they should do with Mullen.

Staying late to get additional reps has become a norm for the group, as is inviting younger players to join. Less public trash talk and less tweeting have also been noticeable (no ducks pulling trucks this year). A win is heavily praised in the moment, but the focus shifts to the following week during the run to the locker room.

In short, the culture has changed. The hope is that the change in culture leads to another change: beating Georgia.

The last time Florida beat the Bulldogs was three seasons ago. These seniors started out their careers with 27-3 and 24-10 wins over Georgia. But the past two seasons have been the opposite, with Florida losing by a combined 78-24 score. Most of these seniors weren’t playing a bunch in 2015 and 2016, so their legacy is tied to the last two.

Senior wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland said it best: For the seniors, it’s personal.

Draft Ramifications

C.J. Henderson was taken off the TIAA Bank Stadium field early last season due to a back injury.

With this year likely to be his last with the Gators, look for a “C.J. Henderson” game from the junior.

Not that he hasn’t been quietly racking up stats in the five games he’s played in. Henderson has 16 tackles, one sack and a team-high nine pass breakups. He’s starting to round into shape after early season injury issues though, evidenced by his nine tackles and a sack against South Carolina.

He is projected to go in the second half of the first round in most mock drafts. A monster game against a top-tier opponent could push him up draft boards before the end of the season.

But it’s not just Henderson who can improve his stock.

Lamical Perine has been relatively quiet this season save the 88-yard run against Auburn. But the team that runs the ball best usually wins this game, and Perine was the engine that made the running game go last season.

Wide receivers Tyrie Cleveland, Josh Hammond and Freddie Swain have all had their moments this season. A big game against the vaunted Georgia defense may get them a more in-depth look from NFL scouts.

The Injured

And of course, Gator fans have seen what happens to this defense without its two main pass rushers.

On Saturday, midseason All-America DL Jonathan Greenard is a go for the first time since Auburn. Despite not playing at UF until this season, Greenard is compartmentalizing the last two losses to Georgia the same way his teammates are.

Redshirt senior DL Jabari Zuniga has been bitten badly by the injury bug this season and has not had a chance to showcase his elite abilities much this season. As another “go” for this weekend, Zuniga has a big showcase to make a meaningful impression on those at the next level.

He certainly made his presence felt during last year’s game, particularly on the goal-line stand that kept the Gators in the game. And the last time he and Greenard were truly healthy against a Power-5 opponent, the Gators had 10 sacks against Miami.

And of course, on the other side of the ball Kadarius Toney will get his first touches in months.

Per his teammates, he’s already back doing his hold-your-breath stunts that typically turn into touchdowns. Beyond the excitement, when Toney has been healthy and touches the ball, Florida scores. He brings something very different to the table than any of the other players at that position.

All those who root for the orange and blue have been waiting for the team to fully come together – read: no injuries and a comfortable Trask. There’s no doubt that Trask is ready; now we get to see what this team can do with its full arsenal against a quality opponent.

The Bottom Line

Florida is gaining national respect with each week that passes. But after early disrespect from the same commentators, the Gators are past playing for everyone else. The team is locked and loaded every week for themselves.

Beating Georgia puts the Gators in the driver’s seat for the SEC East. Beating Georgia gives the team two years of vindication. Beating Georgia gives the team, its fans and the nation proof that it is what the players say it is.

Losing doesn’t kill the season. Georgia might still slip up and let Florida back in the East race, and even without that the Gators would still likely end up with a quality record and a high-level bowl game. But losing means that Florida is still just “in the conversation.”

Conversely, winning announces Florida as a major national player for the first time since 2009.

Winning changes the narrative.