Georgia vs. Florida score, takeaways: Carson Beck's emergence continues, No. 1 Dawgs feast off Gators' errors

Good news, bad news

The good news for Florida is that Shemar James was on the field for UF's first defensive series after a pregame scare related to the poor field conditions in Jacksonville. The bad news was that Georgia systematically dissected the Gators anyway on its way inside Florida's 5-yard line. However, the series ended with good news as the Gators forced UGA into a short field goal. The big plays were UF's defensive front stuffing Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton on consecutive runs inside the 5-yard line.

Shemar James hurt in warmups

CBS Sports sideline reporter Jenny Dell said on the broadcast that Florida LB Shemar James injured his ankle in warmups. He is dressed out and playing on the first series, but we shall see if he's 100%. Dell said that some of the pallates of sod have not taken, so players might have a hard time cutting.

Florida strikes first

11:19 Q1: Florida 7, No. 1 Georgia 0

Florida sliced and diced Georgia's defense on the first drive of the game as quarterback Graham Mertz completed all five of his attempts for 60 yards and a 25-yard touchdown to Eugene Wilson III. Georgia's defense struggled with crossing routes and Wilson -- who had four of the five catches -- did a great job evading tackles and making open tacklers miss. Georgia's defense isn't used to getting lit up like that.

What a start

Florida began with a bang was Graham Mertz hit Eugene Wilson III for a 26-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage. Later, UF converted a third-and-9 with a completion from Mertz to Wilson. Then came a 25-yard strike from Mertz to Wilson to put the Gators ahead 7-0. What a smack in the mouth for the Georgia defense to begin this rivalry showdown. Mertz is a perfect 5 for 5, and four of those completions are to Wilson.

Kickoff time

Kickoff is set for 3:45 p.m. ET. Weather forecast looks ideal with temperatures set to hover around 81 degrees for the first half before dropping into the high 70s during the second half with no rain in the forecast.

Setting the stage

Georgia won a sloppy 37-20 affair over Vanderbilt two weeks ago in Nashville in a game that saw tight end Brock Bowers suffer an ankle injury that will keep him out of this game. Last week's bye gave coach Kirby Smart and the offensive staff some extra time to develop a plan without its superstar in the lineup. The Gators also had last week off. The last time they took the field, quarterback Graham Mertz played the game of his life in a thrilling 41-39 win over South Carolina two weeks ago. The fifth-year junior threw for 423 yards and three touchdowns on the night, including a game-winning 21-yard strike to Ricky Pearsall with 47 seconds left in the game.

What will happen when the two rivals tee it up on the banks of the St. Johns River? Let's break down the matchup and make picks straight up and against the spread.

Georgia vs. Florida live stream, watch online, TV channel, kickoff time, prediction, expert picks

Barrett Sallee

Georgia vs. Florida injuries

Coming off a bye week, Georgia has had time to prepare for its first full game without star tight end Brock Bowers. Here's more on that situation and a rundown of injuries entering today's matchup.

GATORS — OUT: WR Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman (lower body), TE Jonathan Odom (upper body), WR Caleb Douglas (lower body), TE Keon Zipperer (knee), OL Caden Jones (foot).

GEORGIA — OUT: TE Brock Bowers (ankle surgery), DE Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (foot), LB E.J. Lightsey (shoulder), WR Cole Speer (undisclosed). QUESTIONABLE: OT Xavier Truss (ankle), RB Kendall Milton (knee), OT Amarius Mims (ankle), DT Jamaal Jarrett (foot/ankle), RB Roderick Robinson (ankle).

Brock Bowers injury: Where Georgia goes from here without star playmaker as critical SEC stretch approaches

Barrett Sallee

Graham Mertz's comeback

Down by 10 points with 9 minutes left against South Carolina two weeks ago, a different figure emerged from the Florida bench. This one had no visible scars, only those left aching deep inside a psyche manhandled by social media and haunted by expectations. One hoping for a new football identity. Turns out, it was same old Graham Mertz ... just a new attitude. Florida's quarterback knew of only one way out in that moment.

"There wasn't a bone in my body that was telling me we weren't going to win that game," Mertz said.

Graham Mertz, Florida a match made in Swamp heaven as QB aims to continue career revival vs. Georgia

Dennis Dodd

Georgia vs. Florida prediction

Georgia is 1-5 against the spread this season, and that trend will continue this week against a Florida team can draw even with the Bulldogs in the race for the SEC East title if it can spring the upset. The Bulldogs offense will struggle a bit without Brock Bowers in the lineup, and that should allow Mertz to keep his team in the mix into the fourth quarter. In the end, the Bulldogs' depth and versatility will shine through and they'll get the win. This feels like a 10-point game and a Florida cover. Pick: Florida +14.5

Third down means everything

While Georgia's front seven hasn't lived up to the expectations set forth by the previous two teams, the defense as a whole leads the nation in third-down defense at 23.6%. It has only allowed two conversions on third downs in each of its last three games (Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Auburn). That doesn't bode well for Florida. Despite its recent success with Mertz slinging it all over the field, the Gators offense ranks No. 109 in the country in third-down conversions at 33.3%. Even in their thrilling comeback win over Gamecocks last week, they only managed to convert four of their 15 attempts on third down.

Can Graham Mertz build off success?

Mertz was phenomenal against the Gamecocks, which helped shape the identity of a Florida offense that has progressed nicely through the first half of the season. History would tell you the Bulldogs defense is going to make life difficult for Mertz by harassing him on nearly every through. Surprisingly, though, the Bulldog defense ranks No. 87 in FBS in pressure rate at 30.3%. That will probably have to change if Georgia is going to slow down Mertz. He is completing 79.5% of his passes and averaging 8.6 yards per attempt. He's tossed 11 touchdowns and only one interception when he isn't under duress.

This is a very interesting matchup to watch. Georgia's front seven has long been a strength. However, if it didn't take a step forward during the bye week, Mertz might be able to make this one interesting.

All eyes on Delp

Sophomore Oscar Delp was the No. 51 overall player and top tight end in the Class of 2022, according to 247Sports. He steps into the spotlight as the No. 1 tight end on the depth chart in place of the injured Brock Bowers. He's a 6-foot-5, 245-pounder who -- like Bowers -- is cut from the new age of pass-catching tight ends. While he's only a sophomore, Smart is comfortable with what he has learned during his brief career. Is Delp going to be as successful as Bowers? Probably not. That's too much to ask. However, it'll be fascinating to see how the offense clicks with Delp in the offense instead of Bowers, who served as the focal point during the first six-plus games.

Georgia vs. Florida odds

Roughly 2.5 hours before kickoff, the Sportsline consensus spread sits at Georgia -14. The Bulldogs are at -563 on the moneyline while Florida is at +412. The point total is at 49 after opening at 47.5. The rise of 1.5 points seems like a reaction to Florida quarterback Graham Mertz's quality play in recent weeks. Of note: the Bulldogs are just 1-5 against the spread this season. Covering a 14-point spread against an improving Florida team in a neutral-site environment without Brock Bowers would be an impressive outcome for Georgia.