Georgia Football: Sunday thoughts on Georgia vs Tennessee

Georgia football crushed the Vols 38-10 in front of 101,000 people in Neyland Stadium. All last week, I heard talk about how Georgia would struggle on the road in a hostile environment because they struggled on the road two months ago. It’s funny how that narrative died fast.

Before we get into the game, let’s take a trip back to mid-October after the Dawgs slept-walked against Vandy. Many looked at the next four games and thought the Dawgs would drop one of those games. They lost Brock Bowers; how could they pull off four games in a row? Well, unlike some programs out there, this Georgia program is not based around one player. Furthermore, that is why you recruit.

The Dawgs put a beatdown on Florida. All that week, people tried to tell us Flordia was scary and could upset the Dawgs. Now, Florida has to beat FSU even to be eligible for a Bowl game. Then, the Dawgs beat an excellent Mizzou team. Georgia did not play its best game but still had control of the game the entire time. Everyone thought for sure that Mizzou was going to pull off the upset on the road.

Then Georgia physically dominated Ole Miss the next week, and Brock Bowers returned. Many thought Ole Miss might make it a close game, and many people thought Brock Bowers would never suit up for the Dawgs.

Then, this week, all the talk was about how the Dawgs were going up to Neyland Stadium. Even though Tennessee had three losses on the season and got embarrassed by Mizzou, many people thought Georgia would struggle or get beat by the Vols. But again, Georgia just blew the doors off the Vols, and it was not close outside of the game’s first play.

This is a long way of saying the Dawgs are the best team in the country. Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, and Washington are not on the same level as the Dawgs. The only team that can compete with Georgia and beat them is Alabama. But, again, the Dawgs are the best team in the nation.

Georgia fans know this, but the Dawgs have been doubted all season. I also know people outside of the Georgia fanbase will make jokes about it, but it is true. Every game this year, many people said the Dawgs would lose, or they were on upset alert. All the Dawgs did was win. Now, some of that narrative was for clicks and views, but many people in the media are hoping Georgia loses, which is okay.

Georgia is the new bad guy, and we Georgia fans should embrace that. A lot of fanbases think Georgia wins all the time. They do not know the pain and suffering we endured for 41 years before Kelle Ringo ran the ball into the endzone on that faithful night in Indianapolis. So, enjoy being the bad guys! It’s fun when you embrace it.

Now, to the game. I need to find out what it is about the Dawgs defense and opening-drive touchdowns. Hopefully, the streak ends against Tech this week. If Tech scores on Georgia on the first drive, I will lose it. The defense played lights out on Saturday. Tennessee only gained 200 yards after that 75-yard rushing touchdown. The Dawgs shut down an offense averaging close to 40 points a game. Georgia’s defensive backfield is one of the best in the country. I do not think a better one exists in college football.

Furthermore, the Dawgs’ linebacking core has done better than expected without veteran leader Jamon Dumas-Johnson. Overall, the defense played well. But I also realize that Georgia was playing against an incompetent QB, but still, it was impressive.

Offensively, it was another excellent day for Bobo and Beck. Carson Beck threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns. Furthermore, it was Beck’s accuracy that impressed me. He was 24 of 30 on passing attempts and had an 80% passing completion percentage. The windows that Beck threw the ball into were the most impressive thing. This guy has an NFL arm, and if he would like to stay for another year, Beck could be the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Most of the Dawgs’ yardage came through the air rather than the ground. The Dawgs did have some difficulty running the ball, but it was effective. Kendall Milton was the Dawgs’ leading rusher with 66 yards on 14 carries.  Overall, the Dawgs ran for 156 yards on 40 carries, averaging just under 4 yards a carry.

The Dawgs gained 472 offensive yards. They continue to put up impressive offensive numbers. This is the best Georgia offense under Kirby Smart. That might get me into hot water, but this Georgia offense has more weapons than last year’s team.

The Dawgs are the country’s best team, and it is not even close. They deserve a playoff spot, regardless of what happens in Atlanta. Georgia still beats Alabama because they are the better team, but regardless, Georgia deserves one of the four spots.

But now we move on to the last week of the regular season. This season has flown by; I remember UT-Martin like it was two weeks ago. It is nuts that Georgia is about to take on Tech. Enjoy your Thanksgiving week, and remember: “To Hell with Tech.”