The “Gator Stomp” is an issue that has been beaten to death, even though Georgia and Florida players have been careful to avoid talking about last season’s premeditated end zone celebration by the Bulldogs. Now it’s time for the teams to walk the walk in a renewal of a series that could very well decide the SEC East champion.

“We know we are probably playing the hottest team in the country and probably the fastest team in America,” said Georgia coach Mark Richt, whose No. 8-ranked team (6-1, 4-1 SEC) is looking for two consecutive victories over the Gators. “Certainly they are one of the best coached teams in America. Florida is the number one scoring team in the league. It’s the number one stat you like to have when you talk about offensive football. They also have the number one scoring defense in the league. Of course the team stat, which is turnover ratio, they are number one in the league.

“The winner has control of the SEC East, and the loser loses it.”

Each team has plenty of momentum entering today’s game in Jacksonville, Fla.

UGA trounced LSU 52-38 last week, while No. 5 Florida (6-1, 4-1) demolished Kentucky, 63-5. A week earlier Urban Meyer’s team thumped LSU, 51-21.

With most of the rest of the SEC East out of the picture, what was formally called “The World’s Largest Cocktail Party” has major implications.

“When you look at the schedule, you know it’s going to be a big game,” UGA linebacker Rennie Curran said. “With the way our season has been going, it’s been building up to this point. You know how big of an impact it’s going to have on our season and where we are going to end up makes this Florida game this much bigger. It’s something you try not to think about with the games you have ahead, but you can’t help but think about with the athletes they have and the hype that goes into this game.”

Take away a hiccup against Ole Miss and the Gators have looked like national championship contenders. With Tim Tebow putting up Heisman-like numbers again and the Florida defense stepping up to complement the offense, Meyer’s club has showed few weaknesses in outscoring its last three foes 152-33.

“Momentum is as high a priority as you can have,” Meyer said. “Momentum in college football is as valuable as anything you can have. I’m honored to coach in these types of games and I know the players will feel the same way about their experiences.”

The Bulldogs have bounced back nicely since a home loss to Alabama, and now average 34.2 yards per game along with 431.2 yards of total offense.

One of the big keys has been the play of Knowshon Moreno, who has had two consecutive breakout performances against SEC competition. However, it’ll take more than just a strong running performance to put UGA in control of the East and back in the national title chase.

Matthew Stafford will have to come up big in the passing game, while the defense must figure out how to slow down Tebow, Percy Harvin and a strong supporting cast.

“I think a lot of the guys on the team are ready for this game,” Moreno said. “We are focused and we know its not going to be easy. They are a very good defense and we need to be focused.”

Last season the Bulldogs jumped on the Gators early and held on for a 42-30 victory. It was already too late to put Georgia in position to win the SEC East due to losses to South Carolina and Tennessee, but it propelled Richt’s crew to a Sugar Bowl berth and No. 2 finish.

For Florida it was the third league loss and ended their hopes of defending its conference crown.

This game will take the loser out of the countrywide title chase but the winner will all but reserve a spot in the Georgia Dome Dec. 6.

“That’s the most tangible thing that is at stake,” Richt said. “You have to win the East and then you have a shot at the SEC. Then, if you keep winning, you might have a shot in the BCS. Right now, we’re concentrating on the East.”