College football

UF-Georgia: Matchups to watch

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published October 29, 2005

Florida's linebackers vs. Georgia's tight ends: Georgia boasts arguably the nation's best tight-ends tandem in Leonard Pope and Martrez Milner, who have combined for 27 catches and 514 yards. Pope is 6 feet 7, 250 pounds and second on the team in receptions. Milner is 6-4, 250, and both have tremendous ability to make big plays at critical times. The Gators' secondary has struggled to stop big plays. Stopping the run and keeping the tight ends in check will be tough. "They are both dynamic players and are some major matchup issues," Florida coach Urban Meyer said.

Florida's defense vs. Georgia quarterback Joe Tereshinski: Before last Saturday, Tereshinski never had thrown a pass in a collegiate game. If the Gators can put pressure on the junior rookie and get him rattled, Tereshinski might try to do too much - exactly what Georgia coach Mark Richt said he doesn't want. Tereshinski isn't the serious run-threat that injured D.J. Shockley posed. The Gators rank 12th nationally and lead the SEC with 23 sacks and opponents have turned the ball over 21 times. If Florida can force Tereshinski into a few mistakes early, it could be reminiscent of the Gators' game against Mississippi State where the defense led to 18 of the Gators' 35 points.

Florida kickers Eric Wilbur and Chris Hetland vs. Georgia's Brandon Coutu: The Bulldogs have a rookie quarterback playing in the biggest game of his life. The Gators have an offense that has struggled to score in the past three games and will face a defense that is fifth in the nation in points allowed, 13.7. Can you say field position? Coutu and Wilbur are third and fourth respectively in the league in punting (42.6 and 42.4). Coutu leads the league in scoring with 72 points, 24-of-24 on PATs and 16-of-19 in field goal attempts. Hetland is 19-of-21 on PATs, 8-of-8 in field goals. This could come down to which kickers play best.

[Last modified October 29, 2005, 01:45:21]