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Kirby Smart is going to publicly downplay the location switch for this year's Florida-Georgia game, but privately the Bulldogs coach knows this game is a must win.
The World's Largest Outdoor Party will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta this year, part of a two-year hiatus from Jacksonville while Everbank Stadium is undergoing major renovations. Next year's game will be at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
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Kirby Smart remembers his first Florida-Georgia game, but he wants to forget it
Since 1933, the Florida-Georgia game has been in Jacksonville except for two seasons — 1994 and 1995. Those two seasons put the game back in the respective home stadiums while the Gator Bowl was being renovated in preparation for the Jaguars NFL debut in 1996. Smart was a freshman defensive back on the 1995 Bulldogs team, and he had a close view of the party that the Gators offense had in the end zone at Sanford Stadium in Athens. The 52-17 final score almost made it seem like it was closer than it was. Florida was an unstoppable machine on offense and Steve Spurrier twisted the knife deeper by throwing a touchdown pass on the game's final play.
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That loss has to haunt Smart. I'm sure it made him question everything that went into his decision to go to Georgia. That's why I don't believe him when he says that this move is more of a "media and fan" deal.
Yeah, I'm excited for that opportunity; change in venue. Florida has a large contingent and fan base in Atlanta, so, you know, I think that's more of a media and fan deal than it is players," Smart said. "I don't think any of the Florida or Georgia players are sitting back, going, Okay, we're playing in Atlanta this year. What does that change? It doesn't. Let's be honest, just the venue we are playing in will be different."
Who are you fooling Kirby Smart? I can see right through the facade. This Florida-Georgia game means more to you than any of the previous ones. Many Georgia fans remember that beating that the Gators laid on them and I know your former teammates from that season will be in your ear as the game approaches.
The motivation will be there for Smart to win the game 90 minutes from campus and, for Jon Sumral, it gives him an opportunity to get the Gators into a road, us-against-the-world mentality that has worked out for his teams in the past. All the pressure is going to be on Smart and the Bulldogs to represent the home state. Sumrall shouldn't have to motivate the Gators too much. It is Florida—Georgia after all, but if there's an edge to be found heading into that Atlanta trip, believe that the coach will find it.
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This article was originally published on hailfloridahail.com as Jon Sumrall can give Kirby Smart another Florida-Georgia game he'll want to forget.
