Although the timing of our poll on UGASports possibly could have influenced the thinking of some, when it comes to Georgia’s biggest rival, the Florida Gators appear to be it.
When we finally closed the voting Thursday night, the Gators accumulated 497 votes, followed by Georgia Tech with 141.
Auburn was third with 92, with Tennessee (16) and South Carolina (4) bringing up the rear.
For fun, we also asked subscribers if they’d like to offer their take on who they believe Georgia’s biggest rival to be.
Some of the answers were funny. Check them out below:
Jeremy C. McClendon, MSgt, USAF
“The University of Florida is by far our biggest and most important rival. I'm trying to not let my hatred of that team interfere with my reasoning of why I tab them as the biggest. It always seems like the East winner is determined by this game or a game involving our two teams. I don't discount our rivalry with Tech and the Barn but UF just means more. I have been stationed on the Space Coast for the past 8 years and have to deal with the fans here year-round. When we're losing it's the WORST! 38-0. Dawgs on Top!”
Omari Carmichael
“If you ask people who is Georgia’s biggest rival, most people would choose one of the following: Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Auburn, South Carolina, or Florida. However, I believe a rival has to be on equal ground. In regards to Georgia Tech and South Carolina, those teams have dramatically fallen short. Our record is 65 to 41 and 49 to 18 respectively. Georgia’s biggest rival would have to cause major implications if the game was lost. While losing to Auburn would hurt, Georgia is not in the same division. If Georgia lost to Tennessee or Florida and we were going head to head with one of them, we would technically be down two games from one lost. Georgia and Tennessee have only met 47 times compared to Florida 95 times. Also, Georgia recruits more out of Florida than Tennessee. So, if you asked me who is Georgia biggest rival, I would have to say Florida.”
Brent Tucker
“From a win-loss, SEC East-SEC Championship standpoint, Florida is the biggest rival. Unfortunately, every year, the road to winning the SEC and the EAST goes through Jacksonville, point blank. Florida has controlled this division (east) and will do so until Georgia can string up consecutive wins in Jacksonville. To me, from a fan base stand point, Auburn is the biggest rivalry from just the way their fan base is. There is not a more arrogant, obnoxiousness, crude fan base than Auburn and I can say I have NEVER, EVER, EVER, met an Auburn fan that I've liked. I highly dislike Tennessee, GT, and Florida, but some of their fans are somewhat ok to be around, with Auburn, they are all terrible. GO DAWGS!”
Andrew Caraway
“My answer is Auburn and you should all agree. We will always have different opinions on the pecking order of our rivals based on importance, history, tradition, where we live, personal relationships, etc. But what sets Auburn apart on the pure hatred meter is that when they win, it's not just bad for us, it's bad for the sport of college football and even for our society. We're all aware of the multi-decade pattern of buying recruits, academic fraud, cover-up of drug use and all manner of crimes and misconduct, the signing of players that were dismissed from other programs, the overreach by their meddling BOT, the stonewalling of the NCAA, the hiring of a basketball coach still under a show-cause order, and even the COA manipulation that goes way beyond athletic stipends to include defrauding the federal government out of financial aid. But this is not only "tolerated" by senior leadership at AU, it's a job requirement imposed from the BOT on down. And when that level of institutional corruption is rewarded, it only causes them to repeat the behavior, it creates copycats out of other programs, and it even poisons the high school and youth ranks. Florida and Ga Tech are enemy combatants that we desperately want to defeat, but Auburn is a cancer that infects the entire sport. I know this sounds a tad overly-dramatic, but it's the truth. They aren't alone, but they are one of the primary culprits that fosters an endless cycle of corruption and eroding ethical standards. I credit another poster long ago for this but this sums up my feelings exactly.”
Alex Kent
“I believe that the term “biggest rival” depends on the way you grew up. For me, growing up outside of Chattanooga, TN (22nd person in my family to go to UGA) it was tough dealing with all the Tennessee fans. I was 8 years old when David Greene hit Haynes in the end zone in Knoxville. I was 10 years old on my first trip to Neyland Stadium. Halfway through the first quarter I was crying to my father about how loud it was and how I wanted to go home. Then Jabari Davis fumbled and Sean Jones picked it up, everything changed. There’s something to be said about a 10-year old walking in to school on Monday morning with his chest puffed out, gloating about the Dawgs to my classmates. Tennessee has always been that team that Georgia needs to beat for purposes of my sanity. I was front row when Pig Howard fumbled and Marshall Morgan won the game.
“There is no greater feeling than celebrating in that stadium. Last year, I was in the end zone student section where the pass was caught. As soon as the referee put his hands up I took off running. All the way up Lumpkin St to Prince Avenue where I lived at the time. The most sinking feeling I have ever seen. Running past UT fans from Chattanooga that I knew (that had left early) and having them text you later that they found out the Vols won simply based off of my facial expression and the speed I was running. My phone didn’t start buzzing until late in the night. I picked up a twelve pack and locked myself in my room. Obviously all three of Georgia’s rivalries are great. In my 24 years, I’ve been there for emotional losses and amazing wins against both Florida and Auburn. Those games are played later in the season. The Georgia-Tennessee game is always one of the first SEC games. Both teams usually say “well this year is the year. For me, that game is important to win to get you on the right road to a successful season. Lose and it puts you in a hole (usually). Win, and you get 364 days of gloating about the win to the boys back home.”
Jimmy Weekley
“I grew up a Dawg as my dad's family grew up in Athens. My dad played HS ball with Andy Johnson. My biggest rival is TN. Why you ask? Because I grew up a Dawg in enemy territory. I'm 37 now, which means all of my friends and neighbors railed on me in the 1990's. Remember the Vols beating us 9 straight times? I sure do. From the Shuler-Zeier shootout to the Edwards broken foot game, I was there, hoping for 9 years we would be beat those nasty pumpkin colored Vols. It was fitting that when I got to UGA we finally beat them with Quincy and Coach Donnan.
“Yes, I was one of those college students who rushed the field that night. You know what, I deserved it. I spent too many Saturdays catching grief from these Peyton Manning worshipping traffic directors...you know the orange vests they wear???
“Lastly, I felt vindicated when Coach Richt pulled the Hobnail Boot, (I was there)....but then those awful TN-GA feelings came screaming back when it seemed the series was turning after the "Hobnail Boot" catch. I am beyond thankful for the 41-0 drubbing we gave them this year.
“No longer will TN snag the Deon Grants and Cosey Coleman's of the world from the state of GA. Kirby is in lockdown mode, and we will keep TN down. Anyways, I hate GT too, and FL, but if I have to win 1 game in a year it's against the Vols.”
Michael Wright
“Being born and raised in West GA the biggest rival to UGA is Auburn. Auburn is just over 35 minutes away from where I live. Auburn fans constantly claim how obnoxious UGA fans are but I’m telling you ain’t no way, ain’t no how, that we are as bad as even some of my OWN FAMILY!!!! All I constantly hear year-round is how good their team is going to be, who the next Heisman winner is, how UGA fans always say “next year is our year, 2 games into the season”, and lastly (I am 30 years old so born in ’87) “Has your team even won or played for a national championship in your lifetime? There are many, many more reasons why I despise and loathe Auburn, but just know they are my public enemy #1.”
Jordan Thomas
“I believe that the Ga vs Fla. rivalry is the most important rivalry we've had since the early 80's. That game has its own title, the same set time of 3:30pm every year, and ultimately decides where a program is going for the next 3-4 years. For instance, Richt won from 2011-2013 I believe. Plain and simple, we haven't won since. Sure, the Ga/Tech rivalry is important, but something about the cocktail party just separates from the rest of our rivalries. We've had Auburn's number most years and we've also had Tech's, but UF always seems to be the thorn in our side. Doesn't matter if we are undefeated going in or a losing team going in. NEVER bet on us or UF for that day. It honestly feels like we can beat them when the odds are against us and lose when the odds are in our favor. You never know what Georgia team you are getting vs. Florida. I haven't fully bought into our program yet because Our destiny is on the other side of Florida. Not ashamed to say that. That's just what it comes down to. Nothing against Kirby or the team. I've seen enough heartbreak in our program to not buy into the hype 100% just yet. I love the dawgs, love my alumni, and love the Vent.”
Adrian Robinson
“Florida. They aren't the oldest or closest in proximity, but they are UGA's biggest rival. There are valid historical arguments for each of the Big 3. The deciding factor for me is that I have Auburn and Tech friends yet no Florida friends. That must count for something.”
Merrick Egan
“I am 37 and was born and raised in New Orleans so have a little different perspective, I think. I didn’t grow up in Georgia so don’t really have an appreciation for the Tech hatred mainly because it never seemed to be that big of a rivalry to me. Never understood the comment when someone says, “I’d rather go 1-11 and beat tech, then 11-1 and lose them.
“My stepfather has been very involved with UGA athletics since he played baseball there for Jim Whatley. He is from Macclenny, Florida and grew up a Gator fan but ended up at UGA. So, I guess Florida is a big one for me, because it was what I heard growing up and also because of the importance it has each and every year. I live in Dallas and everything about TX/OU weekend reminds me of GA/FLA.
“Sort of odd, and not really a “rival” by the typical definition, but the team to me that always seems to be the most exciting game whenever we play them is LSU. Also, we (fans, players, coaches) seem to have a different energy level that week. Probably because I’m from New Orleans, but those games are always awesome and I believe we’ve played them pretty even the last 8-10 times we’ve played them.”
Jay Thomas
“Florida. Growing up in the SE GA town of Jesup my parents went annually to the cocktail party before I was even a UGA fan, which didn't really happen until I was a JR in HS. Appleby to Washington probably cemented it for me my fall SR year in HS I think. The folks didn't go to many other games but GA-FL was big and it was on TV. Even though we ruled Jacksonville for seemingly a long time there was still an intensity about that game. I know we played Auburn for longer and it has always been a big game but Auburn seemed like playing a sister school for a long time. The hate for Auburn wasn't close to what it was for Florida and GT. I pick UF over GT primarily because UF is an SEC opponent. The neutral site and big deal made out of the game for such a long time fueled the rivalry. Throw in Steven Orr, Steve Spurrier and the hate grew exponentially. The media still refers to the start of UF football as Spurrier's first year. We have won or lost however many dating back only to the beginning of the Spurrier era. Amazing. We didn't play UT much so as much passion as I have for wanting to beat UT it is even greater for UF. I hate the Gators!”
Ty Reynolds
“Georgia Tech. he first team and group of dreadful people I learned to dislike as an 8-year-old was Tech in 1970. At that time in my life I liked both state teams. The first NCAA football game I ever went to was with my dad at the Tech/Navy game in 1970. The Wreck played a very good game that November afternoon winning 30-8. Navy locked a punt late in the game for their TD and got the two-point conversion. Bud Carson had a really good team; however, the loudest roar of the day was when the PA announcer gave the final score of UGA/UF where the lizards won. I could not understand why a fan base would be happier about another team losing than their own team winning. As we walked out the stadium onto North Avenue several people were talking about how they had a chance to beat Notre Dame. I told my dad Tech had no chance for one reason.... how can you beat a team like the Irish when you care about another team more than your own? On that day, UGA became my team and by the way, Tech lost to ND that year. The moral of the story, what did it take for me to dislike Tech as a child? Just go hang around 35,000 of them on a Fall Saturday at Grant Field.”
John Bartley
“My mom, who graduated from UGA, was a second-grade teacher who is as gentle and kind as you can imagine. For example, a drunk guy spilled a beer on her one time at a Braves game and she insisted to him that it was okay because it was hot out. At any rate, my brother brought his girlfriend (now wife) home to meet our family for the first time. Once my mom verified that the new girl was a Gator fan she laughed and said, “Well, I suppose I can serve you at this table.” After we all shared a laugh, my mom added, ‘Don’t you dare ask for seconds.’
Wayne Taylor
“I'm originally from St. Marys. Florida was the most hated team when I was growing up even though Georgia dominated them at that time. Camden County has a lot of bandwagon Florida fans. Needless to say, my two favorite teams are Georgia and whoever is playing Florida. I've never heard that saying hung on any other one of our rivals.”
Michael Cagle
“I've always debated who I disliked more between Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee. Until the WLOCP in '15. My brother in law brought a friend of his over to watch the game, and his friend is a Florida fan. We all know how that game went for the good guys, and after Florida got yet another Bauta interception, this jackwagon got my 2-year-old to do the gator chomp, before I could stop him (in my house!!!). All I could see was red (and no it wasn't because I beat him to a pulp), my wife kept me from kicking him out, and I don't know if I've ever felt hatred like that. That's when I knew that even if our team is horrible, as long as we beat Florida, I'll be ok.”
William Gornto
“I hate all orange teams, including Clemson, although Clemson is no longer an annual opponent. I also hate Georgia Tech for all of the obvious reasons. My hate list is ordered #1 Auburn, #2 Florida, and then some Tech, Tennessee, Clemson mix after that. I grew up in Valdosta and went to every Georgia Florida game for many years from the age of 8, starting in 1971. I missed only one trip to Jacksonville in a stretch from 1971-1988. Consequently, Florida was always my most hated rival. They held this distinction for many years, my entire life, until the 2010 season. The reason for the change was the unabated and un-penalized thuggish, dirty play of Nick Fairley and the classless showboating of Cam Newton during the Georgia - Auburn game. That, plus the glee of Auburn's fan base with all of it. Prior to that year, there was an aura of cordial respect in the Georgia-Auburn rivalry, indeed with an almost even record and point total over more than 100 years. Since the 2010 game though, that mutual respect has evaporated and I hate the dirty Auburn program more than any of the rest.”
Chris Lambert
“I live in Catoosa County just outside of Chattanooga. One game that I get very excited about every season is the Tennessee game considering I'm surrounded by orange and I was growing up during the 90's and well... enough said. As much as I love a victory over the Vols, I consider Florida to be Georgia's biggest rival. They are the monkey we can't get off our back. They seem to have a mental edge going into every game, and even if we have a great season, if we lose to Florida, it just feels tainted- almost like, we depend on them to have a down year to beat them. All Dawg fans are ready to re-gain the edge in this series, and we sure as he'll don't want to see them take the overall lead in the series.”
Bob Way
“The acid test for me to determine who is our biggest rival is gauged by which team it hurts the worst to lose to. Tech hurts our local pride, but they have no effect on conference status or recruiting, because they are still Tech. Auburn hurts pretty bad, but I take comfort that they often win with Georgia boys and at least are in the west division. Hate losing to Tenn. because they hurt double-time due to being in our division…but they are just country folks like us. Florida ain’t like us. They look different, dress different, play different. Anybody who has ever done the walk of shame leaving that stadium with your tail kicked, will attest to the deep psychic pain a loss causes when we get beat down there.”
Jeff McGill
“My first vivid memory of Georgia football was the 75 Florida game. I was in the second grade and we watched on TV from Savannah. My uncle was a huge Florida fan and I remember him being cocky and my dad calling him on the old land line after the game. I can go into every game since then but obviously I won’t. I don’t know if it is being from South Georgia or not, but it has always been the biggest game. I remember being a 12-year-old kid and being so nervous going into the game I was sick on my stomach; it has always been that big. As soon as I was old enough to get down there (my parents never went) I went. Now I go every year and we spend 4 days at the beach. I was 22 years old in 1990. I am 49 years old now. I believe we are about to experience 1990 in reverse. We are embarking on a Golden Age of Georgia football and it is time for Florida players and fans to be humbled for an extended period of time.”
Kurt Lentz
“Let me preface this by saying I HATE each of the schools listed. This, despite having good friends, or even family, that went to each of them. But there is only one school that is a barometer, nay a gateway, to successful Georgia seasons, and that's Florida. I've told countless people the last two weeks that you can't trust a Georgia team until they've played Florida. I can't stomach losing to the NATS or the Auburn Tiger/Eagles, but lately those games have been a matter of pride because a loss to Florida has thrown our season in the crapper. Gun to my head, if you asked me the one team I most want to beat each year, it's Florida. I will never consider a season a success with a loss to Florida or Tech, but losing to Tech just means that Tech's 100s of fans will be insufferable for a year, whereas losing to Florida generally snatches a season goal (SEC east) and ruins an entire state for me. In further defense of picking Florida over Tech as our biggest rival, I analogize playing Tech to taking the bar exam: it's not a big deal if you pass (beat Tech); but it's a giant disappointment and embarrassment to all involved if you fail.”
John Alexander
“My favorite rivalry game is by far the Georgia Auburn game. Most of those games have been very close most of those games determine who wins SEC championship or at least who plays for it. The best game I’ve ever been to was at Auburn in 2002. The 96 4 overtime game was amazing as well. As well as the 2007 blackout game! Auburn is the closest football program over the decades to Georgia. We have so many ties from Pat Dye, to Erk Russell to Vince Dooley. To me the most important game is the Georgia Florida game. The best feeling is beating Florida mainly because we haven’t very much since 1990. They are the most important game because they are a division rival. Georgia Tech is a team that we should and have to beat every year. They are the worst team to lose to FWIW.”
Jess McNeil
“Auburn is big for me. Athens is double the distance from home. I know lots of Auburn people so that one is personal every year. Florida is bigger. Not only are there divisional ramifications most years, but something has happened down there over the last 25 years that makes this one reek of importance. Seasons have been made in this game. Seasons have been destroyed in this game. The Nerds are the biggest. I can’t even bring myself to say the name of the place. One of the main reasons I will always love Mark Richt is because he owned that school. Dawg coaches are fired for losing to them. We’ve immortalized people who beat them. An essential element to the life of any true Dawg is holding our position of dominance over anyone associated with that place. Furthermore, it is of utmost importance that we reinforce that position every year on the gridiron and frankly, any other competitive event we meet them in. Lots of people have become jaded in light of our success against them. But there is nothing-NOTHING- in the life of a Dawg worse than looing to the nerds. And there are few greater feelings in this Dawg’s life than pounding those nerds into submission on the gridiron.”
Michael Jones
“For me the rivalry began with Belue to Scott that lead the way to the National Championship. It intensified once Steve Spurrier arrived and began the current domination. I dislike Auburn, Tennessee and even Georgia Tech but I intensely HATE Florida. Also, the fact it is played at a neutral site every year makes it stand apart from the other schools for me. When I attended UGA I do not think I ever had a class on the Friday before the game. No other game had such distinction.”
George Mollohan
“After any and all consideration is funneled into the reoccurring question of whom our “biggest rival” is, it can and should be said with 100 percent confidence that the University of Georgia’s biggest rival is the University of Florida. When pondering this question, I try to remove any personal animosity towards a specific team due to recent successes or struggles. I do this because in my 23 years on this earth it feels like nobody has beaten us more than the University of Florida. Years of disappointment, anger, and overall dissatisfaction have all become nearly synonymous with the word Jacksonville. What tips the scale in Florida’s favor over Auburn or Georgia Tech is the overall satisfaction that does come from beating Florida. Nothing feels more right or pure in this world; hardly any other manifestation can bring my heart to such an apex of glory. I was lucky enough to see a win in 2013 for the only opportunity I have had to go to the WLOCP (no “River City Showdown” here.) That being said, I do not plan on returning to Athens without a W this year. GATA.”
Jess McNeill
“Auburn is big for me. Athens is double the distance from home. I know lots of Auburn people so that one is personal every year. Florida is bigger. Not only are there divisional ramifications most years, but something has happened down there over the last 25 years that makes this one reek of importance. Seasons have been made in this game. Seasons have been destroyed in this game. The Nerds are the biggest. I can’t even bring myself to say the name of the place. One of the main reasons I will always love Mark Richt is because he owns(s) that school. Dawg coaches are fired for losing to them. We’ve immortalized people who beat them. An essential element to the life of any true Dawg is holding our position of dominance over anyone associated with that place. Furthermore, it is of utmost importance that we reinforce that position every year on the gridiron and frankly, any other competitive event we meet them in. Lots of people have become jaded in light of our success against them. But there is nothing-NOTHING- in the life of a Dawg worse than losing to the nerds. And there are few greater feelings in this Dawg’s life than pounding those nerds into submission on the gridiron.”
Brian Warren
“Though we have five rivals, clearly one stands above the rest. The Gators, just the name, the thought of the continual disappointment we have experienced since one, Steve Spurrier came from lowly Duke! I hate that man, he has embarrassed us and changed the history of our series. More than that, he is in the head of every Dawg fan. We all know the recent dominance, though a glimmer of hope has come recently. If I am correct, we are 3-4 in games we had a bye the week before Jacksonville, I hope this stat is correct! I believe every Dawg fans most hated rival is personal, this rings true with me. My best friend is a Gator fan, he grew up in Ga, but supposedly his mother dated Spurrier...of course I tell him he shouldn’t like The Gators just because his mom blew Spurrier but who is he to listen to me? I digress, the ridicule, the pent-up frustration and anger each loss brings makes this the biggest game of the year! No matter how bad or good the season is, beating the lizards makes the season worth it! I pray and hope Kirby is our Spurrier, God bless that man! As a great man once said” Screw Florida and the mule they rode in on.”
Seth Wilcher
“My top rival is Florida. Here’s why... My blood began to run red and black after going to my first game in 1988 at the age of 11 with a best friend. I was hooked. And it wasn’t long thereafter that Spurrier arrived in Gainesville and began the run of domination we are still trying to escape.
I remember watching games with that best friend and his parents (both UGA alums), and they would utter, “son of a bitch” every time Spurrier’s face was shown. On the other hand, I remember the pure jubilation watching us take it to the Gators in 1997. Those were my formative years. Yeah, Tennessee was beating us a lot too, but Spurrier was so much easier to hate than Fulmer. And although checkerboard overalls are highly objectionable, jean shorts and tank tops were somehow worse.
“Then, as a student at Georgia for undergrad and grad school, I started going to the games myself. In the beginning, I had so much fun with the whole WLOCP thing that I promised I would never miss another, as long as I lived. But after going 2-10 in the twelve consecutive games I attended, including flying in from Colorado five times, I just couldn’t torture myself that way anymore. Too much money to be so disappointed over and over in so many different ways. From blowouts to last second field goals, it was a matter of picking the way you wanted to have your heart broken. I saw Joe T catch a TD pass and Terrence Edwards drop one, and everything in between.
“All that being said, I treasure the memories made on St. Simons and in Jacksonville with good friends. The excited rides down and even the sad rides home included good times I’ll never forget. There are many stories that cannot be told in a public forum! Suffice it to say they include property destroyed up on St. Simons, nudity, and even a broken chair, albeit not a metal steel chair. (But is a broken toilet more dramatic? Long story.)
“It’s good to know I’m not alone, though. I’ve found that one of the most unifying traits that binds all SEC fans is that we all hate Florida. They are just so different as a fan and alumni base from the rest of us. I’ve come to know and love one Gator (wife of a UGA alum friend of mine - really outstanding person), but other than her, I still find myself going back that trait ingrained in me 30 years ago and scowling any time I see anything Gator. And I still turn into a deliriously happy kid every time we beat the Gators.”
Zach Green
“To me, Florida is our biggest rival. For starters, they are in our division and the SEC East has come down between Florida and Georgia more consistently than any of the other teams. Some might say Tech and/or Auburn but I don't see how one could be called a rival if the outcome has no bearing to the division race (Tech) and while Auburn would, even though they are in the West, I would put Florida ahead of Auburn. Maybe I rationalize it this way because we have owned Auburn and Florida has owned us.”
Jake Brown
“We sure have a lot of options for our biggest rival. You could ask us all the week we play the others and a lot of people would say that team in the given week. It usually would have to do with which rival fanbase you interact with the most. I have been in the Navy now for 13 years there are a ton of Gators that I have served with. Way more than any of our rivals and about even with Texas and Ohio State when it comes to college teams in general. Dealing with these people every fall made the hatred of the Gators grow more and more every year no matter if I was in Maine, Japan, Africa, Bahrain or Guam. Then a few years ago I moved to St Augustine and deal with them constantly. With them being the cockiest fans, in our division, the jorts, Spurrier, Urban, Tebow, Spikes, Bryan Allen getting Gurley busted, and now McElwain I hate everything that is the Gators. Time to get these games trending back in our favor with Kirby!”
Robert Armstrong
“The year was November 2, 1993. It was three days after a crushing, yet again, defeat to the gators, but just so happened to be the day I was born. I was born into a true house divide. My grandfather was a cheerleader at University of Florida. My dad was a UGA grad. Growing up, every year we had a "gator hater" party with my dad’s friends vs. granddads friends at our house. Obviously, I was on the non-jort wearing side of the room. Then in 5th grade, I went to my first game with my dad. Went down on Thursday for the "Funeral of the gator" parade, and the rest is history. I've been there for the best of times, thanks Trinton Sturdivant, and I've gone to the game with Faton Bauta's girlfriend at the time and dealt with a rather unhappy student section. I've seen both ends of the spectrum. Twenty-three years later, and every year for my birthday my only wish is to see the dawgs win. I lost a tooth at the landing for my 21st birthday (pictures supplied upon request), I saw my grandfather smile and talk trash more times than not, and I've drank jaeger like a Dasani because of the gators. Florida is #1 and it really isn't close.”
Chris Shook
“I say that the Gators are our biggest rivalry. It has all of the trademarks of a great rivalry. There are games that are contested, every year it seems to have an implication on who will go to the SECC game. Most importantly there seems to be a genuine hate amongst the two fan bases.”
Jonathon Tanner
“I said Florida. Why? Because most every year that games has the biggest implications on our season. If we want to make it to the SEC Championship Game then typically that means a win in Jacksonville. For so many years UF has been a thorn in our side. Even when we were favored and having a great season, many times we would lose this game and not play in the SECCG. If you want to make it to the playoffs these days, you have to win your biggest rivalry games period. This Saturday, I fully expect every UGA fan to be smiling big and celebrating with our team at the end of the game. As a side note, my most hated team right is Auburn. Over the years they have played us dirty. Ever since the game where Murray was hit late (2 times!) by Fairley in 2010, my hatred for Auburn grew and has never been the same. So, Auburn is mine and my family’s most hated team.”
William Barfield
“I go back and forth on this subject because UGA has so many rivals, but I always end up with the nerds, gnats, trade school or whatever you prefer to call them as being #1 on this list. Why? Living in this state is unbearable when those guys beat the Dawgs! I know it happens only a handful of times out of a decade, but man it burns. Everyone has that one relative or friend that likes to beat their chest when they actually win against the Dawgs! With it being the last game of the regular season it literally can and does impact how we all feel about the overall success of the Dawgs year. Plain and simple we hate the rambling wreck. Notice how I haven’t used the actual school name? Off with their heads!!!”
Ryan Knapp
“Living in Charleston since 2002, it's the game that means the most to me. Doesn't matter how the teams look going in, those guys play their best against us. It is very rarely a pleasure to watch, even when we win. Lots of "Carolina" friends, and in 2012, when hosted by a fairly prominent booster, not only had to watch the Dawgs get hammered, had to be polite and return to the tailgate and stay at their house another night. The Gamecocks would have beaten the New England Patriots that night. Williams Brice is a house of horrors in the same vein as Jacksonville. Most of all, when you are the one Georgia fan in town that a bunch of specific Carolina fans know, the phone rings and the texts ping as soon as the cocks win. Conversely, a win over the cocks is almost as sweet as the bourbon consumer celebrating said win.”