ATHENS — Kirby Smart has built Georgia football into SEC dominators, to the extent the Bulldogs are more than a three-touchdown favorite over Florida in what was once considered one of the top rivalries in college football.

Georgia (7-0, 3-0 SEC) has won four of the past five meetings with the Gators by an average of 22 points in those victories, and that’s about where the betting line hovered on Sunday night depending on the sports book.

It is the largest spread in the game dating back to data available since 1995, per OnlyGators.com.

The Gators (4-3, 1-3) enter the game coming off a 45-35 loss to LSU that saw the Florida defense allow the Tigers to convert 9 of their first 10 third downs in addition to yielding a fourth down conversion.

Coach Kirby Smart was an All-SEC safety at Georgia, and his passion for the rivalry has never been questioned.

That’s why no one was surprised by leaked audio of Smart’s locker room speech from halftime of last year’s 34-7 win:

“I still remember like yesterday walking out of this place (after a 44-28 loss in 2020) … looking at Tyson (Campbell) looking at (Eric) Stokes. You know what guys? This is our (expletive) year. It’s zero to zero and you make them never want to play you again.

“All that (manure) they are talking? I love it, Jamaree (Salyer), you don’t say (manure) to them, you just laugh and point to the scoreboard. Don’t say (manure) to their undisciplined ass. Because we are disciplined and we want to kick the (expletive manure) out of them. Physically I want to break them.”

Florida actually out-gained Georgia 355-354 in last year’s meeting, trailing just 3-0 with three minutes left in the first half.

That was when the Bulldogs’ historically dominant defense came roaring to life:

• Nolan Smith forced and recovered an Anthony Richardson fumble at the Florida 10 at the 2:22 mark.

• Nolan Smith intercepted an Anthony Richardson pass tipped by Travon Walker at the Gators’ 34-yard line at the 1:43 mark.

• Nakobe Dean intercepted an Anthony Richardson pass at the 50 and returned it for a touchdown with seven seconds left in the half.

Just like that, Georgia had a 24-0 halftime lead.

RELATED: Georgia defense takes over storyline in win over Florida

This season’s Gators possess the nation’s No. 16 run game, averaging 212.6 yards on the ground each game.

Georgia ranks 29th in the country — and sixth in the SEC — with 196.7 yards rushing each outing.

Florida defensive end Brenton Cox, a transfer from Georgia, made it clear the Gators have had this game circled on their calendar.

RELATED: Florida sack artist sends warning to Georgia offensive line

Other SEC games

Arkansas -3.5 at Auburn

South Carolina -6 vs. Missouri

Tennessee -14 vs. Kentucky

Ole Miss -3 at Texas A&M