SEC’s Best In-Conference Games 2016: Number 7, Georgia vs. Florida

Special Teams and Coaching

Georgia’s special teams has some major questions. First and foremost, who will be the kicker? It is currently a two-man battle between Rodrigo Blankenship and William Ham. Evidently the two are in a dead heat. The second question is how will freshman Marshall Long do as the punter. Smart thought highly enough of him to offer him a scholarship, but he still has to prove it on the field. The good news for Georgia’s special teams is that they have one of the most explosive return men in SEC history in Isaiah McKenzie. He has returned four punts and one kick for touchdowns in two seasons.

The Florida Gators, on the other hand, have already found their kicker. His name is Eddy Pineiro. Pineiro has never attempted a field goal in a football game. His background is in soccer. But there is a video on YouTube of Pineiro successfully kicking a 77 yard field goal at a kicking camp. If he is accurate, he could be the best kicker in the entire country.

Florida also has an excellent punter in Johnny Townsend. Townsend averaged 45 yards per punt last season. In addition, the Gators have an explosive return man of their own. Antonio Callaway averaged 15 yards per punt return and scored two touchdowns in his freshman season.

As far as coaching goes Florida clearly has the edge for now. Kirby Smart is a great defensive coordinator and recruiter, but he has never been a head coach before. Jim McElwain, by contrast, did well at Colorado State and won the SEC East in his first year at Florida.

Advantage: Florida

Next: Prediction and Conclusion