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Georgia football: 5 things more interesting to discuss than the starting QB

Ashley Espie
Ashley Espie

Dawn of the Dawg

Brock Bowers celebrates after a touchdown with running back Zamir White. (Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)

Georgia football
Brock Bowers celebrates after a touchdown with running back Zamir White. (Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)

Whether you’re on Facebook, Twitter, or a Georgia football discussion board, everyone, and I mean everyone, is talking about the perceived quarterback controversy between Stetson Bennett and JT Daniels.

Who’s starting? Is that the right quarterback to start? Why did head coach Kirby Smart make this decision? Surely all of us fans with no playing or coaching experience and no knowledge of practice know what’s best right?

And frankly, I’m so over it. It’s impossible to escape, overflowing with negativity, and honestly exhausting. I’m not saying it’s not important. Obviously, whoever starts at quarterback will have a major impact on the game. But at this point, the topic is dead.

Nothing new is being added, and we’re just rehashing old points. We have no new information, no new leads, no new takes. So let’s drop it for at least a few hours and move on.

There is plenty for Georgia football fans to talk about other than the quarterback situation.

Plus, there are so many other things we could be talking about because we have an upcoming playoff game, and even without that, Georgia football is pretty amazing.

So let’s talk about something else! Why sit here and write another article for clicks and to try and cause more controversy and chaos when we can talk about something fun instead?

Let’s pause the never-ending quarterback debate for just a bit and take a few moments to appreciate some of the other things we love about Georgia and other questions we wish were asked. So without further ado, here’s a list of things I’d rather talk about than UGA’s current quarterback situation.

Georgia football
Kenny McIntosh celebrates with George Pickens after scoring a touchdown. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images)

George Pickens

Georgia football’s dynamic receiver, George Pickens, is always a fun topic of conversation. Still, right now, it’s also a pertinent one since he has only been back in action for a few snaps against Georgia Tech and Alabama after recovering from an ACL tear in March.

While we were all excited to see Pickens return to action, let’s be honest, it wasn’t quite the same just yet as he was still working up to game speed. But now that he’s back in the field, we’ve got all the questions.

He did sign an incredible NIL deal with Tom Brady’s new brand, “Brady,” so his impact is still seen despite not being on the field.

Will he be full strength by New Year’s Eve? Will we see the Pickens we’ve waited all year to see? Will he make a one-handed catch that has us all screaming and going wild? Stay tuned.

And on that note, what about the whole team?

We’ve never had everyone completely healthy all year. Georgia hasn’t been injury-free all season, whether it’s banged-up receivers, missing offensive linemen, or struggling defensive starters. And it’s kept the Dawgs from always reaching their full potential.

Right now, it looks like we might be able to have a fully healthy team, outside those who cannot come back, for the playoff game, and if that happens it will be a perfect Christmas miracle.

Georgia football
Hairy Dawg during the Dawg Walk. (Photo by Steven Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Hairy Dawgs’ Social Media

Did you know Hairy Dawg has an Instagram and Twitter account? Because I just found this out a few weeks ago, and honestly, if you’re not following him, you should.

He’s a fun account to follow, from great gameday tweets to just occasional updates. Plus, it’s Hairy Dawg! How do you not support and encourage his online presence? He constantly posts photos with Georgia celebrities like former head coach Mark Richt and other players. There also *might* be pictures with Blooper if you’re interested and an Atlanta Braves fan.

Speaking of social media, make sure you’re following The Redcoat Band’s pages as well! The swagger and smack talk they have delivered all season is so underrated and under-appreciated.

From supporting the Dawgs to dissing the opposing team before the game, the Redcoat Band has done it all, and they’ve looked good while doing it. They’re confident and proud, and who wouldn’t be when you have the Bednarik and Outland award winner as a member?

Hairy Dawg’s social media is definitely fun, but the Redcoat Band has raised the bar this season, and I can’t wait to see more. There’s no doubt they’re the finest band in the land, on Twitter, and the ‘Gram.

All of the university’s social accounts are must-follows as the Georgia football Twitter page surpassed 1 million followers, so if you’re not following, get with the program.

Nakobe Dean, Georgia Football
Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean is walking into the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

Georgia football and their stylish defense

Who wouldn’t want to talk about all those Georgia football record-breaking stats from that elite defense this season? The shutouts, the touchdowns that only came at the very end, the jokes about how most teams couldn’t cross midfield? Some of y’all don’t want to acknowledge these outstanding achievements after the Alabama game, but they still happened.

I’m still thankful for those and proud of how this defense fought all season. From the seven sacks and pick-six against Clemson, we should have known that this defense was something special. We all underestimated just how unique it was, especially after the Tigers continued to struggle.

But this defense didn’t and just continued to pile up stats and records like Brock Bowers does touchdowns. Those two minutes against Florida — solid gold moments that will be remembered in the cocktail party history books for a long time. Will they bounce back? Heck, yeah. They’re a family and fight for one another. They’re a once-in-a-lifetime unit, and I’ve enjoyed watching them play all season.

And while everyone always talks about Jordan Davis, I want to talk about Nakobe Dean. Will he leave early for the NFL? What about his degree? Did he ace his finals? Will he wear this fantastic look again?

Because one thing we all can agree on is Dean was best-dressed all season long.

There are so many questions we could be asking about this incredible player, and he deserves all the hype with his performance this season.

That entire defense deserves the love for their on-field swagger and the swagger they bring in off the field.

Georgia football Gameday Trailers

Has the Georgia video department started working on the Georgia/Michigan game trailer yet? That topic is next because we all look forward to watching it each week, and it’s always a highlight of my Thursday night.

I mean, Thursday Night Football is great, but when that trailer drops, I know we’ve got 48 hours tops, if that until I get to cheer and watch the Dawgs kickoff.

That said, I’ve got so many questions about the next video! What’s the theme? Facing adversity, bouncing back, fighting together as a family — there are so many choices.

But it’s not just the theme I’m curious about; I also want to know who will narrate it. This year, there have been many great guest narrators, everyone from the Atlanta Braves coach Brian Snitker and Zac Brown to former Dawgs’ coach Mark Richt and former players like David Pollack and so many others. I can’t wait to see who they choose.

But the most important question of all, will the media department be sure to cross out all the ’s?? The fans have banded together to do so across social media platforms, so hopefully, Georgia’s creative team crosses them all out as well in the trailer for the playoff game.

Georgia football
Georgia Bulldogs mascot UGA X. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Georgia football and Uga’s Christmas List

What do you think Uga has on his Christmas list? Obviously, the essentials:

  • Beat Michigan
  • A new bone
  • Personalized dawg bowl for gameday — so broadcasters can quit complaining about my current pristine South Georgia plastic bowl.

But I’m sure the Big Dawg himself has more than that on his Christmas wish list. Maybe a DGD monogrammed stocking to hold all his Christmas goodies?

Pretty sure a mini Nick Chubb autographed football would fit perfectly inside one of those. Whatever it is, it’s only the best for the best mascot in the country!

Speaking of Christmas, is Santa a secret Georgia fan?

He is always rocking the Red and Black year-round. But then, on that note, is it really a secret? Maybe he’s been trying to tell us something all along, and we just weren’t paying enough attention.

And what about Jordan Davis? He’s got 99 reasons plus one touchdown to show how good he’s been this season. I’m pretty sure the honorary member of the Redcoat Band is a lock for the Nice List this year, so Swedish Fish in his stocking is a must.

These are the hard-hitting questions Georgia fans should want to be asked. And I don’t think I’m the only one. It’s about time we give the people what they want.

Ashley Espie

Ashley Espie