Georgia football has performed well so far this season, but there will be a massive test for the Dawgs on Saturday as Arkansas comes to town looking for an upset.
However, the Hawgs haven’t faced a defense like Georgia. I’ll give Texas A&M some credit because they’re usually a solid team, but the Dawgs are on a different level.
Even though some people, looking at you Hog fans, think Georgia hasn’t played anyone. Well, I mean, that is fine to believe, but does it matter? The Dawgs have essentially shut down every offense it faced this season regardless of whether they ranked among the best teams in the country or have a losing record.
Clemson was the No. 2 team in the country, and despite losing for a second time last week, they have a lot of injuries now. South Carolina was no pushover either, even if their record says otherwise. UAB and Vandy, I’ll give to the folks out there claiming the Dawgs haven’t played anyone, but I have a feeling Saturday will shut them up for good.
Georgia is the No.1 team in the country in scoring defense as the Dawgs allow just 5.8 points a game. The Dawgs are No. 7 nationally in rush defense, giving up 69.50 yards, and No. 2 in pass defense as they give up just 115.8 yards through the air.
The most impressive stat, though, is that Georgia has the No.1 overall defense in the country, giving up 185.3 total yards a game and just 3.34 yards a play.
It’s kind of scary to think head coach Kirby Smart said something along the lines of this defense hasn’t even played up to its potential yet, and they’re not buying into the hype that the media has given them. Think about that for a second. This defense is dominating, and Smart feels like it’s not the best yet — good luck opponents, that’s all I’ll say.
After watching Arkansas’ film and the Vanderbilt game for the fourth time, here are three keys Georgia must do this week to slow down a stout Hogs offense and be victorious at the end of the fourth quarter.
Georgia football must force Arkansas to use the entire field
One of the things Arkansas likes to do is use the deep ball to their advantage, and they aren’t afraid to throw it downfield.
Starting quarterback KJ Jefferson loves to throw the long ball, but for the Dawgs to find success, they must force them to use the entire field.
Georgia has an excellent special teams unit that’ll pin the Hogs deep in their territory, so the Dawgs must avoid letting Jefferson get comfortable.
Force them to drive the length of the field and make Jefferson throw those short and intermediate passes.
He succeeds the most with the long ball, so if the Dawgs can limit those passes, it’ll force Jefferson to throw where he struggles to be consistent.
Georgia shouldn’t try to load the box because that is when Jefferson will connect with Treylon Burks and burn the defense.
So what the Dawgs need to do is make sure they are smart with coverage and scheme. Georgia doesn’t need to get too many people in the box, or do like they have throughout the season, make it look like you’re stacking the box, but have the linebackers stay back when they snap the ball.
Also, making sure the secondary is on top of things will go hand-in-hand with this as well.
Having Tykee Smith back in the secondary this week will give another set of legs for the Dawgs to utilize on the defense’s back end. Not to mention Kelee Ringo continues to grow each week and is one of the conferences shut down corners.
Ringo, Lewis Cine, Smith and the rest of the secondary guys must be on their A-games this week. Being aggressive without getting any stupid penalties will be essential in beating the Hogs this week.
Georgia will be victorious if the Dawgs can limit the Hogs to under 250 yards through the air.
Georgia must make the Hogs one dimensional
Arkansas averages around 480 yards of total offense, with 261 yards coming from their rush attack.
Like Georgia, they like to establish the run, so they don’t have to make KJ Jefferson throw more than 25 times. If they can run the ball and win, they will.
Georgia’s defense needs to pay attention to this and utilize that solid defensive front to slow down the Hogs.
Arkansas averages 5.6 yards a rush, with Trelon Smith being their leading rusher. He has 59 carries for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Georgia has yet to give up a rushing touchdown this season, so they’ll have to stay on top of Smith to avoid letting him get in a groove.
Jefferson also likes to use his legs as he is the second-leading rusher for the Hogs. He has 32 carries for 253 yards and two scores.
The good thing about this is the Dawgs only give up around 69 yards a game on the ground, and while that would be nice to see against Arkansas, holding them to at least 100 yards will be ideal.
Georgia doesn’t have to load the box up with a ton of guys to stop the run. With Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Devonte Wyatt, Nolan Smith — you get the point — they have guys who have the horizontal speed needed to stop the run.
There doesn’t need to be a ton of fancy schematics against the Hogs. Georgia has more talent on the defensive side of the ball, and they just need to play football.
If the Dawgs can make Arkansas rely more on the passing game than the running, it’ll be a long night for the Hogs.
Georgia must also pressure Jefferson because when the Dawgs put pressure and create havoc, it demoralizes offenses and causes mistakes.
Georgia football must play smart against the Hogs
While this slide may seem a bit cliche, it’s not because the Dawgs must play smart, disciplined football to beat the Hogs.
Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman knows what kind of team he needs to put on the field to beat Georgia, so the Dawgs must be more prepared and disciplined than the Hogs.
Naturally, dogs are far more disciplined than pigs are, but that isn’t the point here.
Georgia must continue to avoid silly mistakes on the ball’s defensive side, and I mean no stupid pass interference calls, targeting, holding, personal fouls, or anything in between. The Dawgs must keep their head down, play junkyard defense and show the Hogs they aren’t on their level.
As a defense, they should want to prove that they are elite, and to be able to stop a team like Arkansas when they have this much confidence, will be a statement.
Even though no one expected this game to be a top-10 showdown, it is one, and the Dawgs have an excellent opportunity to handle its business and get out of there with win No. 5.
ESPN College GameDay is in town, Smart has sent out a challenge to the fans, and it will be one of the season’s best games. Even though other fan bases will find a way to discredit Arkansas if Georgia beats them handily and say the Dawgs have a weak schedule.
Arkansas has played some tough teams, and they think they have played teams to Georgia’s caliber, but I’ve got a rude awakening for them, and I feel the Dawgs do too. Texas and the Aggies were great wins for Pittman and his Hogs, but this is a different animal altogether.
Georgia’s defense is far too strong for this offense, and they will put them in their place. While I think it’ll be a good game, the Dawgs will wear down that Arkansas offense and cause all kinds of havoc.