Georgia football: Dawgs pass first real test, eyeing even bigger ones
By Eric Taylor
A lot has been made about Georgia football’s game with Notre Dame. Some positive, some not so positive. However, what did Georgia show in its top ten showdown with the Irish and what does that mean moving forward?
Georgia football is 4-0 sitting at No. 3 in the nation and has passed its first real test of the season. However, what did that test say about Georgia? I believe that the Dawgs said more in this hard-fought victory than some think.
First of all, Georgia put up 339 yards of total offense against Notre Dame. Even though this was the lowest total the Irish have given up this season, the Dawgs were able to do it in just 59 total plays. The Bulldogs averaged 5.75 yards per play, the most given up by the Irish on the season.
Georgia was also able to put up 187 passing yards on the Irish‘s secondary; the most anyone has put on them all year.
The Dawgs did rush for a total of 152 yards, a season-low, but they also ran the ball a season-low 33 times. The good news here is they averaged 4.61 yards per carry, the same as New Mexico.
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So the dip in production from the running game is a facade.
The Junkyard Dawgs were also on point as they gave up just 17 points to the Irish who had averaged 50 points a game. The Bulldogs were also able to get 13 quarterback pressures, break up six passes, force a fumble, and get two interceptions.
Georgia‘s defense also added three tackles for loss. They did, however, give up a season-high 321 total yards.
Where does Georgia go from here?
Georgia currently has the No. 19 offense in the nation, averaging 509 yards a game.
They rank No. 58 in passing yards per game (255.8) and No. 19 in rushing yards per game (253). The Great Wall of Georgia has allowed just one sack so far this season and continues to open up holes for one of the best rushing attacks in the nation.
A dominant offensive line is a must if the team expects to beat the likes of Alabama or Clemson.
The Junkyard Dawgs are No. 11 in yards allowed per game (263), No. 47 in passing yards allowed per game (205.5), and No. 5 in rushing yards allowed per game (57).
One thing that a championship-caliber team must have is a top-five rushing defense. Georgia has been missing such a rushing defense since Roquan Smith went to the NFL.
Georgia has proven it can get to the quarterback with 59 quarterback hurries through four games. They had 50 through all of 2018.
The Bulldogs have sacked the quarterback 12 times in four games after having just 24 sacks in all of 2018.
Improving the pass rush was a focus after last season, and it seems to be fixed, which will be a must against Bo Nix, Tua Tagovailoa, and Trevor Lawrence.
Georgia has also shown that they can go toe to toe with one of the top programs in the nation and defeat them even while wounded. The Dawgs were missing five starters in the game against Notre Dame, including both starting cornerbacks, Eric Stokes and Tyson Campbell.
Notre Dame came into the game averaging 313 yards through the air, but the Dawgs held the Irish to just 275.
The Bulldogs have recruited very well under Kirby Smart, and this was the first test of that depth this year. Georgia passed with flying colors thanks to the play of Divaad Wilson and Tyrique Stevenson.
If there is an area I feel that Georgia needs to work on, it is turnovers.
Right now the Bulldogs have caused six turnovers while turning the ball over four times. Two of those turnovers were early in games causing the offense to stall early.
Against Notre Dame, an early fumble led to an early two-possession deficit. Giving teams like Alabama and Clemson extra possessions would lead to a loss.
Overall I think Georgia is ready to compete with the best teams in the nation. The next five games are against Tennessee, South Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, and Missouri.
I do not believe Georgia will get challenged in any of these games. That is why I have Auburn circled.
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If anyone that still has questions about these Bulldogs after their game with Notre Dame should have them answered when Georgia leaves Jordan-Hare.