Georgia football: 3 important things for the Bulldogs’ Orange Bowl offense
By Rick Beach
Georgia football fans, it’s finally Orange Bowl game week. It’s been a long stretch between games, and it may have seemed like months since the Dawgs last took the field in front of the Bulldog Nation.
Skipping the preamble recap of the SEC Championship Game debacle, it’s time to move on to what Georgia needs to do against Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
The Wolverines didn’t back into the playoffs, or have their spot handed to them due to losses by other teams. They flat earned it. Going 11-1 in the regular season and thumping Iowa in the Big Ten title game, Michigan has proved it belongs in the playoff.
The Wolverines come into the Orange Bowl ranked No.12 nationally in total defense. They allowed less than 20 points ten times this season. This means the Georgia offense will have its hands full in the Orange Bowl.
However, it is not a task that this Georgia can’t handle. Todd Monken’s offense has had some successful games against top-tier defenses this season. Other than Clemson, no team has kept Georgia’s offense out of the end zone.
The Wolverines play a very physical and fast style of defense, very much like a lot of teams in the SEC. The most physical offense Michigan played season was Michigan State, their only loss of the season. The Spartans rushed for 199 yards and running back Kenneth Walker rushed for five touchdowns against the Michigan defense.
Keeping that game in mind, here are three things Georgia’s offense will need to do against Michigan in the Orange Bowl.