ATHENS — It hasn’t always been the case since Kirby Smart became Georgia’s head coach back in 2016, but there doesn’t seem to be much of a debate at the moment with regard to the future of the Georgia-Florida game.
In the past, Smart has voiced his preference for the game to be a home-and-home, pointing to recruiting benefits as to why.
When asked on Monday about his views on the location of the game, Smart gave a blase answer on the subject.
“Don’t really think about it anymore. We are where we are,” Smart said. “That really has not crossed my mind besides the off-season when I get asked about it. A lot more concerned with how we play than where we play.”
Georgia and Florida agreed to keep the game in Jacksonville, Fla., through the 2025 season this past offseason. The big question with the future of the rivalry will be what happens with Jacksonville’s stadium. In June, the Jacksonville Jaguars released designs for a renovated stadium, though no date was specified as far as when renovations would take place.
While Smart didn’t offer much on the subject, starting center Sedrick Van Pran shared up his honest thoughts on the value of playing in Jacksonville.
“I think the neutral site game is good and I have enjoyed playing in it,” Van Pran Said. “I generally, really have enjoyed playing in it. I think it’s an amazing atmosphere. Going to Jacksonville, having some of your fans, some of your fans.
“I don’t think the home-and-home series would be bad. I think it would add some fire to the series because I think playing at Sanford Stadium against Florida, I could only imagine the amount of noise that would be in there. And vice-versa. Playing Georgia in the Swamp.”
Van Pran learned pretty quickly about the importance of this rivalry after growing up in New Orleans. The internet helps in that regard but older coaches and players preach the importance of winning this game.
The winner of Georgia-Florida for the past eight seasons has gone on to represent the SEC East in the SEC championship game. As that is an annual goal for Georgia, Van Pran knows Saturday’s game will be a must-win.
“When you play in these games and having the experience you know that in order to have a successful season, you have to go through those guys,” Van Pran said. “Everything that you want to accomplish goes through that team.”
Florida is 5-2 on the season but 3-1 in SEC play. Like Georgia, the Gators control their own fate in terms of winning their division and getting to Atlanta. Florida has won back-to-back games following a loss to Kentucky. The Gators were also off this past week.
With so much on the line this week, perhaps that is why Smart wasn’t all that amused to share his big picture thoughts on the Georgia-Florida rivalry. The future venue of the Georgia-Florida game is far less paramount than coming away with a win on Saturday.
“This is old-fashioned hate. Georgia vs. Florida is one of the biggest rivalries ever,” safety Javon Bullard said. “It was that way before I got here, and it’s going to continue to be that way after I leave. If this game doesn’t get you amped up to play football, I don’t know what will. It’s special.
“We have a lot of Florida guys on our team. I know it’s special for them as well. Me being a Georgia boy, it’s damn sure special for me. We have to do whatever we can to come out with the victory.”
Georgia has won the last two games against Florida, beating the Gators 42-20 last season.
The next edition of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is set for a 3:30 p.m. ET start on CBS.
