Jacksonville,FL -
The Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators face off Saturday and it will likely be a windy day in Jacksonville.
Hurricane Sandy won't hit Florida but it could produce winds of more than 30 miles per hour at the game. It's a weather threat that's keeping some fans home which will mean a boost for some local businesses.
Loco's manager, Matthew White, says they expect fans to pile in early tomorrow for the game which kicks off around 3:30. He says watching it at with a crowd at a restaurant is a good alternative, if you're not going to Jacksonville.
Whether you're a bulldog or a gator this weekend, your team has a lot to play for.
"It's a critically important game for Georgia, it's very important for Florida too, so when you have both teams coming in with an awful lot on the line, the fans will be there supporting them and hopefully both teams will be on their best," said Vic Sullivan, Immediate Past President of Georgia National Alumni Association
Thousands of fans from our area are making the trip to Jacksonville.
"The roads are probably going to be crowded with the people traveling to the game," said Jenn Rice, Georgia Fan
Regardless of Hurricane Sandy's expected high winds and rains.
"I think that they are going to find a way to beat it. If they have to go a day early, they are going to go a day early. If they have to go an hour before, they're going to find a way to get to the game," said Rice.
But for those of you staying home, there are plenty of places to watch the big match up.
Buffalo Wild Wings has more than 40 TVs with plenty of seating for fans.
And Loco's is ready for a big crowd. "We have outdoor seating, a projector with it on. We have some new flat screens that we'll have on. We have several TV's at the bar, we'll have it hooked up on our PA system in the bar so they'll be able to hear so they'll be able to hear and we have plenty of seating in the dining area as well," said Matthew White, Loco's Manager.
But if you're looking to avoid the big crowds and long lines, having your own viewing party at home is always an option.
"The girls from my work, Vital Smiles, we're going to get together and we're going to have a house party and we all going to get together and have some hors d'oeuvres and we're going to root on Georgia," said Jenn Rice, Georgia Fan.
So whether you're a dog or a gator, there are plenty of places to cheer on your team.
Both Loco's and Buffalo Wild Wings says they are expecting hundreds of people to show up throughout the day and they encourage anyone who is in town, to stop by.
The two teams have been meeting in Jacksonville since 1933, except in 1994 and 1995 when the stadium was being rebuilt.
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