If the Dawgs want to ring in the new college football season undefeated, the Georgia defense will have to outperform the Tigers in three key defensive statistics areas.
A lot of people continue to push Georgia aside, and it’s slightly disrespectful. The Bulldogs’ defense is stout and just as tough as the Tigers. While Clemson’s defensive front is lethal, they’re similar when you look at them as a whole.
Both defenses are two of the countries top units in most defensive categories. The Tigers are more productive in some areas, but Georgia has guys that can make plays too.
In 2020, the two teams ranked nationally in the four main defensive stat categories and their respected conferences.
Total Defense:
National: Georgia No. 12 & Clemson No. 15
Conference: Georgia No. 2 & Clemson No. 1
Rush Defense:
National: Georgia No. 1 & Clemson No. 15
Conference: Georgia No. 1 & Clemson No. 2
Pass Defense:
National: Georgia No. 81 & Clemson No. 41
Conference: Georgia No. 6 & Clemson No. 2
Scoring Defense:
National: Georgia No.16 & Clemson No. 18
Conference: Georgia No. 2 & Clemson No. 2
While they were pretty equal among the four main stat categories, the Tigers led in two of the most havoc-type stats.
The Tigers recorded 46 total sacks on the season and ranked No. 1 nationally in that category. Georgia ranks No. 12 with 32 sacks, but having 14 more sacks is massive.
Clemson also had the No. 2 most tackles for loss last season, with 109 total, averaging 9.09 per game. The Dawgs tallied just 62 total and averaged 6.10 a game. This stat is another one that shows how talented Clemson’s defensive front is and how deadly they can be.
Georgia returns just four defensive starters while Clemson returns all 11, and that is probably why so many people want to push the Dawgs to the side, and it’s understandable.
It can be scary when a defense that produces 46 sacks and 109 tackles for loss has all its starters’ return, but Georgia’s group can match their tenacity and aggressiveness.
Even though Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt, Nakobe Dean, and Lewis Cine are the four guys back, there are so many guys who have been backups the last couple of years ready to take over the duties.
It hurts to lose guys like Monty Rice and Azeez Ojulari, but their backups are just as impressive.
Clemson’s offense is just as hostile as their defense, which is why they’ve recently won two national titles in 2016 and 2018. Dabo Swinney continues to replace the stars, but so does Smart.
Georgia can win this game, but the defense is going to have to make a massive statement. Here are three things the Bulldogs’ defense needs to lead in statistically on Saturday, and if they do, Georgia will leave Charlotte 1-0.
Georgia football: Create at least 10 havoc plays
The biggest thing Georgia football’s defense needs to do on Saturday is creating as much havoc on defense as possible. Clemson is notorious for creating negative plays, so the Dawgs must be able to match that same energy, if not bring more energy to the game.
Some examples of havoc plays are sacks, tackles for loss, interceptions, forced fumbles and pass deflections.
Georgia needs to find ways to put pressure on D.J. Uiagalelei and a lot of it. If he gets comfortable in the pocket, it won’t be good for the Dawgs. In the five games with six-plus tackles for loss, Georgia won four of those games by 20-plus points.
The Bulldogs need to make sure they try different kinds of ways to create that havoc too so he has to be on his toes the whole time.
One of the Tiger’s biggest weaknesses is their offensive line, and one of Georgia’s strengths is their defensive front. If Davis and company can win the trench battle, there will be a ton of havoc happening in Clemson’s backfield.
The Dawgs have some guys in the secondary that could pick off Uiagalelei, which be a massive boost. Georgia’s secondary is working through some new changes with all five guys leaving after last season, so if they could find a way to force turnovers, it’ll be so helpful to their confidence.
If Georgia records at least 10 havoc plays against the Tigers, there is an excellent chance it’ll put the offense on the field long enough to get into the endzone and wear down Clemson’s defense from being on the field so much.
Georgia Football: Hold Clemson to under 100 rushing yards
There haven’t been many times in recent years that anyone challenged Clemson, but it happened twice last year — the first Notre Dame and the Ohio State game.
Last season, Clemson averaged 153.8 rushing yards a game, but there were two times where they rushed for under 100-yards, which resulted in an overtime victory and playoff loss.
Notre Dame held the Tigers to just 34 yards on the ground, and the Buckeyes held them to 44 rushing yards.
Well, guess who was the No. 1 rushing defense in the nation in 2020, Georgia. Teams averaged just 72.30 total and 2.39 rushing yards a play against the Bulldogs, so if they do one thing right, it’s stopping the run.
Only two opponents ran for over 100 yards against Georgia, and that was Alabama and Kentucky. Against the Wildcats, that’s all they had because they couldn’t make a play through the air, and well, Alabama always has talent running backs that help get the job done.
By being able to stop the run against Clemson, it’ll make them one-dimensional. While the Tigers were highly successful through the air, it won’t always work when you have to depend on it the entire time.
If Georgia can hold Clemson to under 100 rushing yards, the Dawgs will get the Tigers off the field faster, giving the offense more opportunities to put points on the board.
This area is where Georgia’s defense shines the most and a great place to implement some havoc. Of course, this will be something the Dawgs need to do because it usually ends in victory.
Georgia defense holds Tigers to at least 250 passing yards
The last area Georgia must find a way to win defensively is the pass-defense battle.
I’m not stupid. The Tigers will make plays through the air, and I don’t expect the Dawgs to shut them down entirely because they have one of the most talented wideout groups in the country who are playmakers.
Georgia’s secondary needs to make sure they limit the mid to long-range completions and find a way to hold Clemson to at least 250 passing yards.
This group needs to be on their A-game, force turnovers, and most importantly, be aggressive defenders to limit the big passes.
If Lewis Cine and the secondary intercept Uiagalelei one to two times, it’ll give this young group a lot of confidence. There is talent back there — they just haven’t had to step up yet.
What would be a better chance to step up than in the opening game against one of the most high-powered offenses in college football?
Clemson will try and use the screen pass as often as possible. The key here is winning the big pass battles because if Georgia can limit those, the screen pass successes won’t be as hurtful.
Georgia has a tall task on Saturday, but their defense ranks right up there with Clemson’s. So it’s time for the Bulldogs to make a statement in 2021, and it’s doable.
Whoever has the best defense in this game will be the victorious team because they will find a way to either stop Georgia’s strong running game or the Dawgs will slow down Clemson’s air game.