Few rivalries in college football combine tradition, pageantry and Southern pride like Georgia-Florida.
Or, Florida-Georgia, depending on which side of the rivalry you’re on.
Fondly known as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party,” the annual showdown has produced decades of memorable moments, bitter defeats and bragging rights that extend beyond the field.
This Saturday, the No. 3 Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC) and No. 17 Gators (5-2, 3-2) will take their rivalry to a new city, but with the same intensity and high stakes that have made this matchup a fall tradition.
FULL STORY: Florida-Georgia: A century of bad blood, big moments and a party like no other
Here’s a quick primer on the rivalry, with Georgia looking to extend its recent dominance in the series and Florida hoping new head coach Jon Sumrall can bring a change in its fortunes:
- Kickoff details: Georgia and Florida will meet Saturday, Oct. 31, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The Bulldogs and Gators are taking their annual rivalry showdown to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, trading their longtime Jacksonville setting for a neutral-site stage as both teams look to add another memorable chapter to one of college football’s most recognizable traditions.
- Why the move: For the first time in decades, the rivalry will leave Jacksonville, where it has become synonymous with a weekend of tailgating and team colors. Renovations at EverBank Stadium prompted the temporary relocation to Atlanta, but the change will last beyond this season. The 2027 meeting is scheduled for Raymond James Stadium in Tampa before the series returns to Jacksonville in 2028.
- Series history: Few rivalries in college football carry the history and intensity of Georgia-Florida, which dates to 1904. The Bulldogs hold a 58-44-2 advantage in the all-time series, and Georgia has dominated the recent stretch under coach Kirby Smart, winning five consecutive meetings. Even with the Bulldogs holding the upper hand in recent years, the annual showdown remains a defining game on both teams’ schedules, with state pride and yearlong bragging rights on the line.
- The “Run, Lindsay!” moment: Few plays capture the drama of Georgia-Florida quite like the Bulldogs’ last-minute touchdown in 1980. With the Bulldogs trailing 21-20, quarterback Buck Belue launched a pass downfield to Lindsay Scott, who caught the ball and raced 93 yards into the end zone to give Georgia a 26-21 victory. Legendary Georgia radio announcer Larry Munson captured the moment with his unforgettable “Run, Lindsay!” call, which remains one of the most iconic broadcasts in college football history. The play helped propel Georgia toward a national championship and became a lasting symbol of the rivalry’s ability to deliver unforgettable finishes.
- Why it matters: The rivalry is about more than a single Saturday in October. Ranked fifth among Student Section’s 25 rivalries that define college football, the matchup brings together generations of fans and carries bragging rights that stretch across state lines. Whether played in Jacksonville, Atlanta or Tampa, the stakes remain the same: a rivalry victory can shape a season, define a team’s legacy and provide fans with memories — and ammunition for friendly trash talk — that last until the teams meet again.
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Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.