JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - If only.

Anyone interested in Georgia football had to be wondering those two words before, during and after another loss to Florida.

The Gators were commanding throughout, further widening the gap between the two rival programs.

The 17th loss in 20 games went like so many in Jacksonville have before.

Prior to the contest thoughts drifted: If only Georgia could find an edge. Or land the first punch. Or withstand an initial blow and counter.

Surprising with black helmets and pants was supposed to provide “extra juice,” according to coach Mark Richt.

Florida scored the first 14 points. Four Georgia first quarter penalties helped give Florida a 24-10 halftime lead.

The Bulldogs had moved the ball, scored and slowed Florida’s offense at times. If only a comeback was in store.

Four second half interception stomped that notion into dust. Georgia wasn’t without it’s moments: Aron White and Michael Moore each catching a touchdown. The defense forcing a few punts. The running game contributing.

Those moments were closely followed by more angst.

Georgia needed one more score, or one more stop. Just one more first down or big play or a Florida stumble to make the game interesting. The Gators didn’t slip.

If only this was still a rivalry.

See, losing 17 of 20 games wreaks havoc on the psyche.

The team doing all the winning (Florida) looks bigger, faster, stronger. The gleam of an orange helmet is compared to the glare of a red (or black) one. Every play, even those in little brother’s (Georgia) favor, is negatively spun. Losing feels inevitable. Hell, even comparing bands, cheerleaders and merchandise becomes depressing.

Florida players may not put their pants on any different than Georgia (not confirmed), but they score more points while they’re wearing them.

If only Tim Tebow wasn’t around. Limiting the all-everything, do-it-all quarterback was a must. Not only for a win, but to also protect Herschel Walker’s SEC touchdown record.

Georgia couldn’t do it. Tebow threw for two touchdowns, ran for two more, and stepped ahead of Herschel.

Tebow left the stadium Saturday 3-1 against Georgia in his career.

And that’s what the Georgia-Florida rivalry has become: a bunch of “if-only” feelings clouding a game where one superior team has won 17 of the last 20.

If only the clocks had rolled back 20 years Saturday night, instead of an hour.

Georgia coach Mark Richt is 2-7 against the Gators, becoming the third coach to tank against the Gators since 1990.

If only Terrance Edwards caught that pass in 2002.

If only D.J. Shockley wasn’t hurt in ’05.

If only the celebration in ’07 didn’t fuel Florida’s revenge in ’08.

If only.

Instead, in the nine years Richt has been at the helm, Florida has two SEC championships, two national titles, Tebow’s Heisman, and a current No. 1 ranking and undefeated season.

“Here we are again,” Richt said when addressing the media after the loss.

Yes, a Georgia fan must have thought after the game, here we are again – completely beaten down by the chief rival.

Not only did Tebow break Walker’s 27-year-old conference record, but kicker Caleb Sturgis kicked a career long 56-yard field goal.

Punter Chas Henry boomed a career long 61-yard punt. Florida threw the ball better, ran for more yards, was penalized less, converted more often, applied more pressure, answered all rebuttals, didn’t turn the ball over and their fans stayed till the clock hit zero.

And while Richt has led Georgia in the best decade of play this side of Herschel, they now sit 4-4 this season.

A bowl game isn’t guaranteed. A winning season isn’t assured.

How did things go so far south from last year’s preseason No. 1 ranking?

If only the mystery could be solved overnight.

Meanwhile, Florida continues winning. And cheering. And chomping.

“They got the best of us this year, but this rivalry will go on for the next few years I’m here and beyond that,” White said. “It’s not going to die.”

If only.