Georgia football: Dawgs move up to no. 2 in Associated Press poll
After a 49-7 victory over Middle Tennessee State, the Associated Press voted to move Georgia football up to no. 2 behind Alabama.
Georgia football finally got what they wanted Sunday afternoon. The Associated Press voted and the Dawgs jumped Clemson for the no. 2 ranking. Fans started making their case for Georgia to jump Clemson last week when the Dawgs crushed then no. 24 South Carolina, while the Tigers barely defeated unranked Texas A&M.
Georgia didn’t budge in the polls last week and stayed at no. 3. But after the Dawgs won their third-straight game by a blowout, the AP was convinced.
Georgia is averaging 45 points per game so far, having scored 135 total points. On defense, the Dawgs have only given up 24 total points for an average of eight per game. They’ve also displayed tremendous depth at many positions.
Jake Fromm is still solid as the starting quarterback with 479 yards and six touchdown passes with just nine incomplete passes. But behind him is Justin Fields who is 14-of-17 with 142 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also has 67 rushing yards on seven carries with one score.
Six players have at least 100 yards of total offense. Rising Heisman contender Mecole Hardman leads the team with 217 yards and three touchdowns. He also has 95 punt return yards with one score. Elijah Holyfield has 200 yards with two touchdowns, D’Andre Swift has 157 yards and two touchdowns, and James Cook has 149 yards.
Seven different players have at least one multi-catch game. Hardman has caught at least two passes in each game, his totals are 12 receptions for 187 yards. Riley Ridley is right behind him with eight catches for 82 yards and two scores. Tight end Isaac Nauta has six catches for 69 yards and one touchdown. Jeremiah Holloman is second on the team with 112 yards and fourth on the team with five catches.
Even the offensive line is rotating players with great results. Right after halftime against South Carolina, starting left tackle Andrew Thomas injured his ankle and hasn’t played since. Cade Mays took his place and the Dawgs haven’t missed a beat.
The wealth in depth extends to the defense. The front seven constantly rotates players and is able to go three-deep at some positions. The defensive backfield doesn’t have as much depth, but the starting group of Deandre Baker, J.R. Reed, Richard LeCounte III and Tyson Campbell is proving to be one of the best in the SEC.
Georgia, Auburn and the College football Mecca of Atlanta. dark. Next
Georgia’s depth with their convincing victories, regardless of who the opponent is, supplies Georgia with a case that the voters just couldn’t deny. The Dawgs travel west to play SEC East rival Missouri this Saturday. Kickoff is at 12:00 p.m. in Athens, but 11:00 a.m. in Missouri.