Florida vs. Georgia “The world’s largest outdoor cocktail party”

Florida vs. Georgia “The world’s largest outdoor cocktail party”

Sports Channel / Bullz-Eye Home

The Florida-Georgia rivalry will probably never be confused with Michigan-Ohio State (considering that Wolverine and Buckeye fans would rather cut off one of their limbs than share a drink with each other). But that’s not to say there isn’t some major turmoil going on in game termed “the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party.”

This rivalry has become less and less about the actual football teams and all about the hoopla surrounding the game, however. The nickname for this rivalry is in reference to the all-day drinking party that the student body partakes in before and after the game. Just recently, the SEC asked the three major broadcasting media’s not to refer to the game as a “cocktail party” in effort to not promote heavy drinking by students.

Along with the SEC trying to regulate what goes on before and after the game, several deans at the University of Georgia have been quoted as being upset with the canceling of classes the day after the contest. Since students at Georgia have to travel a good 300 miles farther than Florida alum, many professors have cancelled classes in effort to reduce students from traveling after a day of drinking alcohol. There have been major efforts by the University of Georgia to have its fall break starting the week after the game, so students don’t have to travel. But its efforts have been thwarted several times in the past couple of years.

Oh yeah, and there’s a football game that usually gets played in Jacksonville between these two schools, too.


What kicked off the hate?

The funny thing about this rivalry is that both schools have a different opinion on actually when the teams first squared off. Georgia says 1904, while Florida says 1915. Either way, former Gators head coach Steve Spurrier gave this rivalry legs with his constant disrespect to Georgia.

His team regularly crushed the Dawgs, and he made a practice of running up the score. Spurrier also once called Georgia coach Ray Goff "Ray Goof."


Who has the lifetime edge?

Although Georgia leads the all-time series 44-35-2 against Florida, the Gators have owned this series since 1992.


Best game ever?

From ESPN.com’s Page 2: Nov. 8, 1980. Florida up by 1 with 90 seconds left. Georgia at its own 7. Third-and-11. Georgia QB Buck Belue, on the run, completes a pass to Lindsay Scott, who catches it at the 25. Georgia broadcaster Larry Munson makes the call: "Lindsay Scott! ... 35, 40! ... Lindsay Scott! ... 45, 50! ... 45, 40! ... Run, Lindsay! ... 25, 20! ... 15, 10, 5! ... Lindsay Scott! ... Lindsay Scott! ... Lindsay Scott!"


News and Commentary on the Rivalry:

Official University of Florida Athletics home page
Find updated rosters, news and depth charts on all the current Florida Gators.

Official Georgia University Athletics home page
Find updated rosters, news and depth charts on all the current Georgia Bulldogs.

Selected Quotes on the rivalry
Current Florida and Georgia players and coaches discuss the rivalry.

Dear Michael: Forget the last call on Cocktail Party
An open letter to Georgia president Michael Adams by CBS Sportsline.com’s Dennis Dodd.

Alcohol Policies At UF and UGA Brew Defiance
While the presidents at Florida and Georgia try to regulate underage and binge drinking by students, the actual students are set to defy critics at the 2006 “Cocktail Party.”

Traditions: Florida-Georgia
Check out FOX Sports’ tradition page dedicated to the Florida-Georgia rivalry.

We Are the Boys: Florida Gators Football
A collection of stories revolving around the Florida-Georgia rivalry from Gator Country.com.

Biggest Florida-Georgia games
Check out some of the best games in the history of the Florida-Georgia rivalry.

Our latest sports content can be found in the Sports category in our new magazine format. Archived sports content can be found in the Sports category in our blog.

ADVERTISE WITH US!
If you're trying to reach men in their 20s and 30s, or you're trying to reach male readers who have an interest in sports and recreation, Bullz-Eye.com's Sports Channel can be an excellent resource. We offer text link ads and banners of all sizes. Our traffic has grown to more than 70 million page views and 5 million unique visitors per month! Contact us and we'll help you meet your advertising needs.
Google
Web Bullz-Eye.com