Wednesday Practice Report

FOOTBALL

The 22nd-ranked Dawgs are nearing completion of their preparation for the upcoming SEC showdown with Florida.

On Wednesday, Georgia (5-2, 4-1 SEC) held a 90-minute workout, and coach Mark Richt said he feels like the Dawgs are preparing well and executing better in practice each day.

“We’re getting close to the game, and we’re getting there with finishing our preparation,” said Richt. “There’s nothing wrong with guys getting bored with the game plan in a sense that they know what to do. You go over things and they’re like ‘we got it.’ ”

Freshman wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who has a team-high 25 catches for 438 yards and three touchdowns this season, did not practice Wednesday. He has been limited with a hamstring injury.

“He’s doubtful, and I’m hopeful,” said Richt on whether Mitchell will be able to play Saturday. “We travel 70 and 69 spots have been decided. We’ve got some other receivers who have played well for us like Marlon Brown, Michael Bennett and Tavarres King. We haven’t had a game where all of them have been able to go, and the more you have, it helps.”

The Gators (4-3, 2-3 SEC) have a question mark at quarterback with fifth-year senior John Brantley possibly returning to action against the Dawgs. He was injured in the Alabama game on October 1st, and Florida has used true freshmen Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett in his absence.

“We’re preparing for their offense not the quarterback,” said Richt. “It’s important to know who is in the game, but it’s not like they’re designing quarterback runs for each one. One guy may run more or they may run a wildcat play. When you see Brantley in there, you know you’ll see more of their offense.”

Both teams enjoyed an open date last Saturday and enter the game with different streaks. After beginning the season dropping games to No. 5 Boise State and No. 12 South Carolina, Georgia has won five in a row. Meanwhile, the Gators cruised to a 4-0 start in September before losing their last three contests this month to No. 1 LSU, No. 3 Alabama and No. 24 Auburn.

The Gators have won the past three meetings in the series including 34-31 in overtime last year. Georgia’s last victory came in 2007 when the 20th-ranked Dawgs upset ninth-ranked Florida 42-30. The series has been played in Jacksonville annually since 1993 with the exception of two years (1994-95 when it moved on campus while the Gator Bowl transformed into the home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars).

The Dawgs will face Florida Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m., and the game will be televised nationally on CBS.