Georgia-Florida is scheduled to be played at Jacksonville's TIAA Bank Field through '21GETTY IMAGES
Georgia AD Greg McGarity said that it "makes sense" financially to keep playing the annual Florida-UGA football game in Jacksonville, because if the series "went home-and-home, each school would lose" about $2.6M over those two years, according to Marc Weiszer of the ATHENS BANNER-HERALD. McGarity said, “From a financial standpoint, it’s a win-win. And really, it’s become so much more than a football game in Jacksonville. It’s become a week of celebration for South Georgia and North Florida." Weiszer notes the series is "under contract to be played" in Jacksonville through '21. However, both UGA coach Kirby Smart and UF coach Dan Mullen "voiced a desire before the game this year to consider playing the rivalry game on campus in the future." Mullen said that he "could see the game being played home-and-home, then two years in Jacksonville." Smart said that his program "misses out [on] the chance to host top recruits at a home game like other SEC schools" (ATHENS BANNER-HERALD, 11/7).
FILL THE SWAMP: In Tampa, Matt Baker noted announced attendance for UF's 38-17 homecoming loss to Missouri on Saturday was 80,017, which was the "lowest for a Gators home game" since '90 -- the "season before UF boosted capacity" at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to 83,000. Mullen after the game said, "When we sell out the stadium, we win a championship." But on Monday he said, "Our fans are such a critical part of that program. And so I've been pleased with how they've bought in. And to me I want to make sure they continue to understand how important they are" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 11/6).
