Florida Week: Kendall's look at the game

JACKSONVILLE - Josh Kendall takes a look at Georiga's game with Florida.

Georgia (6-2, 3-2 SEC) vs. No. 9 Florida (6-1, 4-1 SEC)

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. (TV: CBS, Radio: 940-AM)

Stadium: Alltel Stadium (84,000)

Tickets: Sold out

Kickoff weather: High of 73, low of 46; mostly cloudy; 90 percent chance of rain

Series: Georgia leads 46-36-2

Last meeting: Florida won 14-10 in Jacksonville in 2005

Odds: Florida favored by 13.5

Injuries: Georgia: Probable: C Chester Adams (ankle), CB Ramarcus Brown (hamstring); Questionable: TE Martrez Milner (toe); Out: LB Darius Dewberry (hamstring); TB Thomas Brown (knee), TB Brandon Coutu (hamstring); PK Ben Wilson (knee). Florida: Out: DT Javier Estopinan (knee).

Rushing

For only the second time this season, Georgia passed the ball more than it threw it last week, but there is a compelling argument to be made for running the ball against the Gators. Auburn held the ball for 36:43 last week by rushing the ball 40 times and only throwing it 27, but don’t expect Georgia to follow that pattern. Florida does its best running with speed and misdirection, but the Gators also can run power football, as they showed early in their game against Georgia last year. Freshman Percy Harvin, a speedster, is Florida’s most dangerous runner.

Passing

Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford must avoid the big mistakes today. As importantly, though, his receivers have to take advantage of every opportunity they get. Stafford will give them some chances, and Bulldog fans should hope this is the one of the games they’ve decided to catch the ball. Gator quarterback Chris Leak attended Georgia’s game against Mississippi State last week in Athens, and he must have loved watching Michael Henig, a much-less gifted passer than Leak, throw all over Georgia. Florida receiver Dallas Baker has emerged into a full-on star.

Defense

The Bulldogs have promised not to be flummoxed by all the different and slightly peculiar formations the Gators use. All the different fronts are simply a “façade,” safety Tra Battle said, to hide what are traditional football plays. Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said his unit focused this week on the basics rather than trying to go over every combination of personnel the Gators might use. None of it will matter if the Bulldogs don’t tackle better. Florida’s defense can be hurt through the air. The Gators give up almost 200 passing yards per game. Expect the Bulldogs to use plenty of double-move pass routes against an aggressive Florida secondary.

Special Teams

If the game comes down to a field goal, everyone on Georgia’s sideline will hold their breath. Since taking over for Brandon Coutu, Andy Bailey has missed a crucial field goal and potentially crucial extra point. Bailey has plenty of talent but needs more confidence. The Bulldogs also are a little unsure of their kickoff return unit. The starting kick returner won’t be known until game time. Georgia’s kickoff coverage (10th in the SEC) also needs to improve. The Gators have a pair of dangerous return men in Reggie Nelson (punts) and Brandon James (punts and kickoffs). However, their place-kicker, Chris Hetland, also is struggling. He’s hit just 1-of-5 field attempts this year.