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Florida looks for key SEC East win over Georgia

Oct 24, 2006 - 8:15 PM No. 9 Florida (6-1) vs. Georgia (6-2), 3:30 pm EDT

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Ticker) - Regardless of what the game is called, Florida has owned Georgia.

The ninth-ranked Gators look to solidify their control of the Southeastern Conference East Division when they face the Bulldogs in their annual matchup in Jacksonville.

Florida has won 14 of the last 16 against Georgia in a game that no longer is being billed as "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" due to concerns by the schools about a message encouraging the consumption of alcohol.

Including last year's 14-10 victory over the Bulldogs, the Gators (6-1, 4-1 SEC East) have won five straight meetings with their three chief rivals - Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State - to tie a school record set over the 1995-96 seasons.

Florida has not played since falling from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 27-17 setback at Auburn on October 14. Quarterback Chris Leak threw for just 108 yards and committed two late turnovers for the Gators, who surrendered 19 unanswered points.

Still, the Gators lead the SEC East by a game over Tennessee, which it beat on September 16, 21-20. After this one, Florida's only remaining league games are at Vanderbilt and vs. South Carolina.

Georgia (6-2, 3-2 East) barely avoided a third straight defeat last week, edging lowly Mississippi State, 27-24.

True freshman Matthew Stafford became the first Bulldog quarterback this season to play a whole game, completing 20-of-32 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns.