Georgia football was off this week, but that doesn’t mean the Dawgs didn’t benefit from some of the wins that happened in Week 8 of the 2022 season. Two opponents the Dawgs took on earlier this year got huge victories this weekend, improving Georgia’s schedule strength.
We all know the Dawgs have one of the easier schedules, especially through the first seven weeks of the year, but the next half features some tough opponents. Any help that Georgia can get is important for the playoff picture.
Oregon and South Carolina handled their business this past weekend, earning huge program victories. The Ducks took down No. 9 UCLA and remain undefeated since the Dawgs demoralized them in Week 1. South Carolina beat Texas A&M for the first time in program history to go undefeated since Georgia beat them in Week 3.
The Gamecocks are now at No. 25 and officially ranked. Oregon is No. 8 in the latest AP poll, so that gives the Dawgs such a boost in the toughness of those victories.
Georgia football sees two of its win look even more impressive after Week 8 of the 2022 season.
Since Georgia played the Ducks in Week 1, Oregon has averaged 49 points a game and beaten its opponents on average by 23 points. The Ducks have outscored their opponents 294-154.
Oregon has the No. 7 scoring offense right now among all teams, which is telling. Georgia was the far superior team and now holds a win over the No. 8 team in the country, who is slowly inching its way up the rankings. The Dawgs’ win over the Ducks could end up being the most impressive win of the season, minus Tennessee’s victory over Alabama.
The Ducks’ defense isn’t that great, ranking No. 77 in total defense. However, Oregon has found ways to have just one blemish on its record, which is noteworthy.
South Carolina has seen a similar route to the Ducks.
After the Dawgs embarrassed the Gamecocks 48-7, the Gamecocks went 4-0. South Carolina has averaged 40 points a game. They’ve beaten opponents on average by 23 points and outscored those teams 160-68.
That win over Texas A&M was huge for the Gamecocks because it hadn’t happened before that night. That win elevated the Gamecocks into the top 25, giving Georgia two wins over ranked opponents.
While the Dawgs still have had an easy first part of their schedule, those teams are proving tougher than people initially wanted to give them. Again outside of Tennessee’s win over Alabama, these two wins for Georgia are the two best victories among the top 5.
Much like in 2021, Georgia makes opponents look worse than they are. Seeing these two teams have this much success only makes the Dawgs look better, giving them a good argument for the College Football Playoff committee.
𝐒𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐎𝐮𝐭 📸#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/Sdz3FdlKF7
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) October 19, 2022
If Georgia wins, it won’t really matter, but if a loss happens, these games could give Georgia enough reason to be included in the playoffs. The Dawgs don’t need to give the committee a reason not to have them, so winning is obviously the priority. Still, these wins for Oregon and South Carolina make Georgia look even better than it already does.
Georgia appreciates seeing two of its opponents perform this well because it gives weight to their eliteness. The Dawgs have a tough road ahead, so the longer they win, the more impressive it is, and when you’re trying to repeat, those things matter.