Stetson Bennett: The good, bad and the ugly (maybe)

Georgia football starting quarterback Stetson Bennett was a part of a prolific and successful offense in 2021. The historic defense may have sometimes overshadowed the Dawgs’ offense, but this unit was really exceptional throughout the year.

Bennett took over the job after JT Daniels’ injury and helped lead the Dawgs to glory. However, some experts, fans and those who just watch college football refuse to give him credit. Is he perfect? No, but he did more than enough to help this unit succeed.

The 2021 offense scored an impressive 38.6 points per game and an even more impressive 40 points in SEC play. Georgia ranked in the top 10 for scoring offense and top-3 in overall efficiency. The Dawgs did all this with the average receiver or tight end being an underclassman.

Without a doubt, those numbers were the best offensive performance under head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Todd Monken who was in his second year. The narrative is the entire season’s success was because of the legendary defense and all they did. However, that offense held its own too.

Stetson Bennett came up big in 2021, but what will 2022 look like for him?

The offense had the advantage in the SEC, but how much? What determines that? Is it production or efficiency? What does Bennett provide in 2022 that could continue the trend upwards?

The Good:

A lot of good comes with Bennett, and some people fail to or even want to remember that. Bennett held a respectable quarterback rating of 86.7, which was No. 3 in the nation. He was No.4 in passing efficiency and earned the Offensive MVP for both College Football Playoff games.

He did what he got asked of him even when it was difficult. His attributes start with his consistent and efficient approach. During last year, Bennett had a great underneath passing game, made smart decisions on when to run and corrected mistakes during the game when given an opportunity.

Both against Auburn and Tennessee, Bennett showcased the ability to keep drives alive with his feet and avoid pressure. Monken used Bennett’s mobility to change the release point on throws making it difficult for defenses to dial in on him.

After the SEC Championship Game, the national media had Michigan as the favorites in the semifinal Orange Bowl matchup. The pressure to win was at an all-time high; without a doubt, this game would be a statement on whether or not the 2017 season was a fluke.

Bennett responded to the challenge with 313 yards, three touchdowns and had several runs for an average of 10 yards a carry. Ultimately, Bennett was good on the year and had great moments when it mattered. What happens when ‘good’ isn’t enough? What happens if Georgia needs to win a shootout?

The Bad:

Against Alabama in Atlanta, Georgia’s defense was seemingly lost most of the game. They could not stop contested throws and failed for an entire quarter to stop the Tide’s offense. This game was the first time in the 2021 season that Georgia’s offense had to throw the ball 48 times to win.

Bennett threw two interceptions — one was the pick-six that effectively ended the game. It was apparent that Bennett made mistakes as the game went on, and despite his best efforts, he fell short. His bad habit of forcing two or three throws a game grew to six or more.

Alabama wasn’t the only team that Bennett struggled against last season. Bennett had several questionable throws in Jacksonville, resulting in two interceptions. He had poor placement on some deep routes or tried to turn a busted play into something.

Georgia won the Florida game with its defense, which provided three turnovers and some great field position. Bennett did well enough to win, but what happens when Georgia isn’t setting the terms? What if there isn’t a generational defense?

The Ugly (maybe):

While many fans exaggerate, they’re not wrong to point out the defense provided numerous turnovers, great field position, momentum and even scored points.

Georgia’s offense started roughly on their own 32-yard line for most of the season and traded places with Bama for the best initial field position in the conference. What separated this Georgia offense from the others was the ability to capitalize on what the defense provided.

After the two turnovers against Florida, the offense scored the very next play. I doubt the 2022 Georgia defense will match what we saw in 2021, so that will pressure Bennett to get it right the first time. The third down efficiency will matter even more, along with the costly turnovers and poor ball placement.

Despite not being the starter, he has gotten better with each offseason, but the 2022 season will ask more of Bennett than any of the ones before because it is his team now.

He won’t have the benefit of winning a game with just one touchdown and two interceptions. Bennett’s third down conversion rate is around 34%, close to half that of the JT Daniels, who may not have played as much, but it’s still a stat to reflect on and think about with him.

Ultimately Bennett is a tenacious and gritty quarterback with enough physical talent to get the job done against most teams. His mobility is his greatest asset behind his years of experience. His arm strength and size won’t do him any favors, but he accumulated enough of both to fit into Monken’s system.

He’ll have to learn to lean on the offensive talent around him, make every snap count and settle for the smart play. Sometimes it’s better to take the sack, not force the throw and reset for the next play. We’ve seen complete games from Bennett and even some great games, but there is a way to go.

There is faith that no matter what happens, Stetson “The Mailman” Bennett will lay it all on the line for this team, and there is nothing more we can ask out of him. He has earned a spot in Georgia football history after erasing that 41-year drought, but it’s still okay to have expectations for his last campaign in Athens.