Georgia-Florida is this weekend…or underway already if you are already at the Golden Isles.
With each year passing, the more unlike the past it gets when it comes to this classic rivalry. The old Gator Bowl was a steel erector set, for all intents and purposes. It was able to host football games and served that purpose, but that was about it.
The facility, which got one huge facelift with the arrival of the Jaguars, is bound for another with a massive overhaul of the stadium. Such a large scale of work, however, will impact one of the city’s top events – the WLOCP.
With stadium renovations on target to wrap up for 2028, the issue becomes what to do in 2026 and 2027 – either reduce seating for two games or use both years to play elsewhere.
Both schools could keep it simple by playing both years on-campus, but in the the ever-going task to chase revenue, I’d expect a city in each state with an NFL stadium with the sweetest offer to win those rights.
While it is true that Macon Georgia’s Henderson Stadium did once host an NFL preseason game, I would expect that honor to go to the Dawgs’ home away from home at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Thirty-four Augusts ago: The NFL’s Falcons and Eagles brawled on Macon turf. (Oh, and a local sportswriter was barred from covering the scrimmage.) pic.twitter.com/PzyirOSIJ7
— Joe Kovac Jr. (@joekovacjr) August 28, 2024
You want to have as full of a deck as possible in a game like Florida. Jordan Hall and Tate Ratledge are both in the mode of probably not yet 100 percent, but signs point to a good chance that both should be able to play to a degree Saturday in Jacksonville based on Tuesday’s post-practice comments.
For any competitor, there is always another level to get to. As he heads to Florida for what will basically be a homecoming game, Carson Beck, as the Banner-Herald notes, knows that whatever that next level is, he needs to find it.
Dawg fans have much to hope for as far as the basketball season goes. There’s one thing head coach Mike White says can be expected – excitement.
Few wins against a rival are sweeter than when you can beat them when they feel their moment of conquest has arrived.
Georgia did that in 1985, running all over top-ranked Florida.
Go Dawgs!