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With Muschamp under fire, Gators aim for Georgia

 
UF coach Will Muschamp heads into today’s game 0-3 against Georgia, his alma mater.
UF coach Will Muschamp heads into today’s game 0-3 against Georgia, his alma mater.
Published Nov. 1, 2014

Ordinarily today's game between Florida and Georgia in Jacksonville would simply be about the fiercely competitive showdown between two storied college football programs that have been playing each other since 1915.

It would be about two teams trying desperately to take the other out of the SEC East race. And about a year's worth of bragging rights.

But for Florida, there's much more at stake than a trophy and the right to talk trash to a neighbor or co-worker who loves the Bulldogs.

A loss most likely will lead to the end of Will Muschamp's tenure as Gators coach. Lose, and UF would have to win three of its last four — including either South Carolina or Florida State — to avoid missing a bowl for a second consecutive season.

In essence, this is about trying to save a season and a program.

"I think it's bigger than just playing for coaches," linebacker Neiron Ball said. "I think it's playing for the program. Our program is better than what we have shown this year. We've just got to go out there and show it."

The Gators (3-3, 2-3 SEC) will put this game in the hands of freshman quarterback Treon Harris, who is making his first start. He is 12-of-18 for 263 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a limited role in three games. Harris is taking over an offense ranked 99th nationally in total offense and 94th in passing offense. After an open date last week, the Gators believe Harris got enough first-team reps to be effective with most of their playbook.

"There's not going to be a whole bunch of scale-back," offensive coordinator Kurt Roper said. "I think he's got a really good understanding of what our base is. And what I've been saying all along is it's really not that complicated … once you get the grasp of the overall scheme. So I think he has a pretty good feel of that."

Harris faces a Georgia defense that is 16th nationally in total defense, 19th in scoring defense. The Gators hope Georgia's limited video of Harris and his ability to run and keep plays going when things break down will give them some advantages.

"I think when we get into compromising situations in the passing game he's going to be able to get us out of it and make a play with his feet," center Max Garcia said.

Muschamp is 0-3 against Georgia (his alma mater), and is coming off an embarrassing 42-13 loss Oct. 18 to Missouri. By the end of the game, fans chanted "fire Muschamp." To say fans are restless is an understatement. This week Muschamp refused to entertain any talk about playing for his job.

"Certainly our guys understand the importance of this game to the University of Florida, and that's enough said," he said.

Gator players admit they've begun to avoid social media, but said it's even tough to walk the campus without talk about their coach's future and the program's troubles. The magnitude of this game isn't lost on any of them.

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"You can tell these guys they want it so bad," said linebacker Jarrad Davis of Kingsland, Ga. "If we don't get anything else, we want this one. I'm going to be honest with you, we want this one."

"It's going to be a huge game for everything in general," safety Keanu Neal added. "Last year we didn't have a good season. We've got to bring Florida back — back to the old Florida football."

Contact Antonya English at aenglish@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3389. Follow @TBTimes_Gators.