Georgia Football: Three stats that tell the story of the 2016 season

Nov 19, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) runs against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) runs against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (1) and defensive lineman Carl Lawson (55) sack Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) during the second quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (1) and defensive lineman Carl Lawson (55) sack Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) during the second quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Only 24 points per game

Here’s the big one. Football is largely a scoring contest, obviously you must score more than your opponent. In five times this year Georgia did not do that. But in most losses it was not a case of getting outscored despite playing well on offense. In 2016, Georgia football failed to score in spite of their defense holding opponents to 24 points per game.

The Bulldogs scored 30 points only three times in 2016. Compare that to 2015 where Georgia scored 30 points five times. Or 2014 where Georgia scored 30 points in 12 of their 13 games.

More from Dawn of the Dawg

Georgia’s once maligned defense used to struggle to keep teams below the 30 plus points the offense was scoring. But as they’ve improved, the offense has digressed.

Is it a lack of talent? Bad coaching? Youth and inexperience? Or a combination of the three? That’ll take more analysis, but obviously whatever deficiency the offense is facing, it is the root for Georgia’s lack of success in 2016.