Dawn of the Dawg
Fansided

Georgia Bulldogs who can step up and give starters a rest vs. Troy

By Michael Collins

facebooktwitterreddit

The Georgia Bulldogs opened the season with two Top 25 opponents, the Clemson Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks.

Live Feed

UAB vs. Georgia Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4
UAB vs. Georgia Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 /

Betsided

  • Most heartwarming social media reactions to Nick Chubb's injurySaturday Blitz
  • Sony Michel, Georgia legends reach out to Nick Chubb after brutal injuryFanSided
  • 2023 Week 4 AP Poll Top 25: Every SEC team’s highest, lowest spot on ballotSouth Bound & Down
  • College Football Playoff: Projected top 4 after Week 3Saturday Blitz
  • College Football National Championship Odds Following Week 3: Georgia Survives ScareBetsided

    • They came out of those first two games with a 1-1 record.

    Given the changes the Bulldogs saw during the offseason in both personnel and coaches, it could have been worse…a lot worse.

    Now the Dawgs return home for a non-conference opponent from a non-Power-5 conference, the Troy Trojans. And while its never a good idea to take any FBS team lightly (back me up on this, Florida) the game against Troy will be an opportunity for some of the reserves to step up and give some of the key starters a chance to rest and avoid injury.

    Hutson Mason will start the game at quarterback, but if the defense can stiffen up and not look as porous has they have in six of the eight quarters that have been played this year, Mason could get some rest.

    It would be nice to see either or both Faton Bauta and Brice Ramsey get some game time against the Trojans. Bauta in particular could be a particularly nasty sight for the Trojans, who have struggled to defend the run – and Bauta can run very well.

    At running back, all eyes will be on Todd Gurley, and while the coaching staff doesn’t want to do anything to hurt his silent Heisman campaign, they’ve already stated that he’ll be held out early in the game and used for “late game heroics”. This will give the opportunity for a couple of players to really make a mark for this 2014 season.

    Keith Marshall can finally get some regular reps and get himself going. Georgia is going to need Marshall to be strong and healthy as they get into the meat of the SEC schedule, and pounding him against Troy would be a great start. Freshman Sony Michel, who has seen some special teams action and scored his first touchdown as a Dawg against South Carolina, also needs to be on deck to help rest Gurley.

    Apr 12, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Faton Bauta (10) throws the ball over linebacker Davin Bellamy (17) during the first half of the Georgia Spring game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

    As thin as the wide receiver corps is spread due to injuries right now, it looks like the bulk of the work will fall once again on Michael Bennett and Chris Conley, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Both players are becoming accustomed to the role of number one guy, and having a game where they get more reps with the quarterbacks in live play will only help them get better.

    This will also be an opportunity for Mark Richt to do a lot of substituting on both lines during the game, keeping fresh bodies out there, and giving some of the backups valuable live snaps. A heavy dose of rotating bodies, especially on the offensive line, could help wear down Troy.

    On defense, the secondary is already young and inexperienced, and the starters need to get more reps and become accustomed to Jeremy Pruitt’s scheme. With Shattle Fenteng out for a couple of weeks, it makes the rotation in the secondary even more depleted.

    The last thing that Georgia needs to do is let Troy hang around in the game for a half or more (which they have been known to do with opponents viewed as lesser competition), the Dawgs need to get ahead early and keep the hammer down to let their starters spend a little time cheering for the team.

    Home/Georgia Football