Last month the University of Florida Gators and the University of Georgia Bulldogs met in Jacksonville for the 75th time. The event formerly known as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" is much more than the average college football game. It's much bigger than the normal rivalry game weekend. Georgia-Florida or Florida-Georgia depending on which team is home or what colors one happens to be wearing is a happening that every college sports fan should attend at least once.
The Pre-game Festivities
Driving around the Jacksonville stadium will provide you with a laugh and a few "I can't believe what I just saw moments". Prepare for a massive traffic jam as thousands of blue and orange clad vehicles merge with thousands of red and black clad ones all with the same goal of finding a decent parking spot somewhere on the right side of the St. John's river. The St. John's is one of two rivers in the Northern Hemisphere that flow north. If you want to know why, ask a Florida fan and you'll hear because "Georgia sucks!" Ask a Georgia fan and you might hear "because it wants to get back to America!" Someone will definitely throw a rubber alligator or bulldog in front of your car on a string for you to run over as you navigate the maze of streets surrounding the stadium. However, once you find your parking spot, you will step out into a world that is unparalleled. Tailgating for this game usually goes on for at least three days, so the RV city actually has it's own zip code for the week. Most folks are having a good time and you can expect some good natured heckling from the opposing fans as you make your way to the stadium.
The Great Divide
The seats for this game are sold on a 50-50 basis to each University. Although one team is officially listed as the home team, all that means is which sideline you get to stand on, what color jersey you wear, and your announcer gets to work the game. The seats are still half black and red and half orange and blue. There are a few who buy tickets in the wrong colored section, but for the most part the colors hold true right down the middle of each end zone. Throw in both bands, all the cheerleaders, both the Hairy Dawg and Albert and Alberta mascots, and you have the color and pageantry that makes college football far superior to anything the NFL can put together. On every play, half the stadium is happy and half the stadium is upset. The guys who really have it tough are the ones in the striped shirts; they don't stand a chance in this environment.
The Game Itself
What really makes this rivalry special is the games. The previous four have been decided by 7 points or less each year, until this years 12 point blowout by the Dawgs. While Florida has won 15 of the last 18 meetings, Georgia still owns a significant lead in the overall series record. Younger fans only know of the UF dominance under Coach Spurrier and current coach Urban Meyer. Even the much maligned former UF coach, Ron Zook enjoyed winning two of three from Georgia. Current Bulldog coach, Mark Richt is only 2-5 against the Gators. The recent one-sided nature of the game has even led some in the Georgia camp to call for the game to be moved. A call that Gator fans are quick to refute since no one from Georgia wanted the game moved in the 70's and 80's when the Bulldogs enjoyed almost yearly success in the old Gator Bowl.
The debate may continue, but once the game is underway, the only thing the fans will worry about is what is happening on the green grass in front of the divided crowd of Gators and Dawgs. One side will go home with bragging rights for the year and the chance to enjoy a great night of tailgating and cheering at the Landing. For the other side, it will still be a night of tailgating only the talk will be of what might have been and what will happen next year. This is truly the best weekend of the college football year!
