Comparing the 2017 Georgia football team to the 2002 Bulldogs after six games

Stellar defenses

Both the 2017 Bulldogs and 2002 Bulldogs sported some of the nations best defenses. Georgia is yet to allow anyone to score 20 points on them so far this season. The most they’ve allowed was 19 against Notre Dame. After six games, they’re allowing an average of a measly 10 points per game and they’ve only given up seven total touchdowns.

At this point in 2002, Georgia’s defense had given up over 20 points in a game once, 28 to Clemson. That was good enough for an average of 13.83 points per game. The defense gave up at least 20 points two more times that year and ended the season averaging 15.23 points per game.

Note: Georgia allowed opponents to score over 20 points five times in 2002. But the games with Alabama and Florida featured interception returns for touchdowns so those points are not on the defense.

So in the most important defensive stat, the 2017 Georgia football team is on track to out perform the 2002 defense. That’s not a knock on the 2002 defense however. That unit was a fun one to watch and the differences are only slight.

2017 defense is more mature

The 2002 defense was great, but it was merely the foundation of better defenses. That season saw the emergence of David Pollack in his first of three All-American seasons. Sean Jones, Will Thompson, Tim Jennings and other younger players began showing their potential.

2003 featured Georgia’s full transition to the Mark Richt era on both sides of the ball as whole now stars performed on defense. Thomas Davis and Odell Thurman to name a few.

The 2017 defense however, is already a complete unit. Its led by a pair of seniors at outside linebacker and three seniors in the defensive backfield. There are also a pair of juniors in the front seven that have started a ton of games in their careers already who will likely to leave school early.

Point is, this defense is just a more mature and experienced unit than what the 2002 team had. It’s a big reason why Georgia is 6-0. They shut down good Notre Dame and Mississippi State offenses. Even when the offense looked poor in South Bend, the defense ensured that Georgia was in the ball game at all times.

Where Georgia allowed Florida to score eight points in the fourth quarter to win that game. Maybe a defense with the senior leadership that the 2017 team has manages to preserve a 13-12 win in Jacksonville. That’s just speculation, we’ll never be able to say for sure. But it’s something to ponder.