As it turns out, Treon Harris might be the wise old man at quarterback in the Georgia-Florida game.
Harris will start for the second straight game against the Bulldogs, which isn’t a lot of playing time. But it’s more than Faton Bauta, who internet reports say will lead the Bulldogs. No, really.
Bauta is a junior who has been Georgia’s third team quarterback all season, although he has yet to throw a pass this year. In his career, he’s thrown only five. Then again, the Dogs weren’t very happy with Greyson Lambert at the position.
Is it a panic move? Certainly, it won’t help Georgia on Saturday. The Dogs were already without star running back Nick Chubb – although Sony Michel has played well.
Can the backups help Georgia against Florida’s vaunted defense? We’ll see. Some have scolded the Gators’ defense, which was picked apart by LSU in the first half of the last game. But Florida did much better in the second half, and LSU is pretty good.
Harris wasn’t much of a factor in last year’s victory over Georgia, but he should be more of an impact this season.
Florida 20, Georgia 16
FSU vs. Syracuse
FSU is a heavy favorite, but the Seminoles gave Syracuse an outside chance when they announced that star running back Dalvin Cook will not play. That leaves the sputtering offense in the hands of Everett Golson. Golson has protected the ball – he had his first interception on a tipped ball last week. But he hasn’t made enough plays, particularly in the red zone.
With Clemson next on the schedule, it’s time that Golson and his receivers made an impression. Fortunately for FSU, Syracuse has given up a lot of big plays this year. It should give up more Saturday.
FSU 23, Syracuse 10
Miami at Duke
Duke is better than you think. It’s the No. 22 team in the country, and it does a lot of small things well. Miami doesn’t, which might be why it’s on its second coach this week in Larry Scott.
Can Malik Rosier make enough plays to allow the Hurricanes to win again? It’s doubtful. It’s been a tough week for the Hurricanes. Saturday might not be any better.
Duke 27, Miami 23
USF at Navy
It’s going to be a tough voyage for the Bulls, who go on the road to try to win their fourth straight game. Navy is 5-1 because of quarterback Keenan Reynolds.
Are the Bulls disciplined enough to stop Navy’s option attack. And stop it again. And again. Perhaps not. The last three weeks have been impressive, but the Bulls have to prove they’re good enough to go on the road and dominate.
Navy 27. USF 17
UCF at Cincinnati
For UCF, it has already been a forgettable season. Now, the Knights try it under a new coach – interim coach Danny Barrett. For Barrett to work his way into the conversation for the permanent job will take an upset or two.
It doesn’t figure to happen against the Bearcats, however, an explosive offense who shouldn’t have to work too hard to get past UCF.
Cincinnati 26, UCF 10
FIU at FAU
They call this one the Shula Bowl, perhaps because Don Shula once drove by one campus or the other. This year, it should be the Alex McGough bowl. McGough has had an impressive season, and he seems to be finishing strong.
FIU enters the game with some thoughts of landing a minor bowl. For FAU, that should be enough incentive to get its second win of the year. But FIU has scored 52, 34 and 41 points its last three weeks.
FIU 28, FAU 14
The NFL
Tampa Bay at Atlanta
The last time the Bucs went to Atlanta, it gave up 56 before Atlanta eased up on the throttle. This one should be closer than that, but against the Redskins, the Bucs showed they are still learning to close. Between a weak pass rush and a leaky secondary, Tampa Bay had no hope in the second half against Washington’s passing game.
Guess what? With quarterback Matt Ryan and receiver Julio Jones, Atlanta’s is much, much better.
Atlanta 30, Tampa Bay 16
