Commentary: A turning point in Florida-Georgia rivalry

Bulldogs control destiny for national title, Gators face disaster

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Through the years, several moments in the long history of the Florida-Georgia rivalry have been turning points in the series. The latest one happened Saturday night in a 42-7 Georgia thrashing of the Gators.

While the Bulldogs and their fans spent most of the second half celebrating a run-away win and reveling in the reality that Georgia (8-0) controls its destiny in the national championship chase,  Florida (3-4) took another step in a season that looks more and more like the end of the Jim McElwain-era and the start of a new chapter in Florida football.

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This season began to unravel for Florida before it even began. Nine players suspended before the high-profile season opener against Michigan wasn't even the first issue. McElwain, who once famously boasted that he believed that he could win with his dog playing quarterback has yet to develop a quarterback to the level of SEC mediocrity in his three seasons in Gainesville. Feleipe Franks has the arm, but he hasn't progressed in his second season on campus. Malik Zaire transferred from Notre Dame, but has never looked the part.

But all of those struggles could have been overcome if McElwain had not tried to use death threats-real or imagined, only McElwain knows for sure-as a motivational tactic for his team heading into the Florida-Georgia game.

That's the only explanation that I can find for the bizarre soap opera that has played out in the week since McElwain volunteered the information at his Monday media conference. His unusual conversations with school administrators and unconvincing follow-up media conference have left some believing that McElwain wants out of Gainesville. 

One report, denied by Florida Athletic Director Scott Strickland, claimed that McElwain's agent was already negotiating a buyout of the coach's contract. If so, then it will be a departure that the administration, the coach and Gator Nation can all agree on. Another report by ESPN claimed that Florida is investigating whether it can fire McElwain without paying a buyout. The precipitous fall from grace of a coach who was hired to energize the Florida offense and return the Swamp to the days of Urban Meyer or Steve Spurrier instead is now heading to a cliff with nowhere to bail out in sight.

Perhaps the Gators only saving grace is the ease of their schedule for rest of the season. November offers road games at Missouri and South Carolina followed by home games against UAB and struggling Florida State, offer chances for Florida to pick up the three more wins necessary to become bowl-eligible. Then again, there is no guarantee that Florida officials would want to extend the season any longer than necessary as they look to turn the page on the brief, and enigmatic Jim McElwain Era.

Georgia, conversely, is enjoying its best season in 15 years--the Bulldogs haven't started 8-0 since 2002. When the roar grew too loud and calls for former head coach Mark Richt to be fired after 15 seasons and a 145-51 record, I said that Georgia fans better be sure they could do better. While Richt has Miami undefeated in his second season with the Hurricanes, Kirby Smart has the Bulldogs in the same class, and ranked third in the most recent polls, Georgia has the chance to win the SEC east for the first time in five seasons and has the look of a team that could challenge Alabama for the SEC championship. The storied rivalry is a tale of two teams heading in completely opposite directions.