College football is not exactly a "What have you done for me lately?" sort of sport, but it is certainly trending in that direction. Week 8 showed everyone under the sun that the Georgia Bulldogs have the superior quarterback in Gunner Stockton over their former starter in Miami Hurricanes transfer Carson Beck. Stockton played a perfect game vs. Ole Miss, while Beck threw four picks vs. Louisville.
That being said, Josh Yourish of FanSided was able to find data that shorts what Stockton did on Saturday afternoon vs. Ole Miss. While this was statistically his best game of his Georgia career, Beck apparently had six better ones than this during the 2023 college football season. He posted six games that season that offered a higher EPA/play than Stockton's greatest game for UGA. Whatever...
No doubt about it, what Beck did during his first season as Georgia's starter in 2023 was incredible. It was the reason why he was a Heisman Trophy frontrunner entering last season. Unfortunately, he did not take the step up in his play. Beck became a turnover machine. The team still won games, but it was not like Georgia was sorry to see him go after how last season ended. Georgia has moved on...
What makes Stockton better than Beck is he finds ways to win games when Georgia has no business.
Gunner Stockton is a far better fit at quarterback than Carson Beck was
Let's take a look at what Stockton did on Saturday and compare it to what Beck did on Friday night. Stockton completed 26-of-31 passes for 289 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in Georgia's thrilling 43-35 come-from-behind victory over Ole Miss. He also carried the 10 times for 59 more yards and an additional trip to pay dirt. Stockton has Georgia bowl eligible and thinking playoff.
On the other side of the coin, Beck could not have played worse vs. Louisville on Friday night. He completed 25-of-35 passes for 271 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions. He also had five carries for eight yards in Miami's first loss of the season at home to Louisville, 24-21. One guy cratered his NFL Draft stock and Heisman Trophy hopes. The other has his team cruising into the bye.
What is important to understand is Beck was not the same player last year for Georgia that he was two years ago. He may have only lost three starts in a Georgia uniform, but he has been the epitome of diminishing returns. Miami may still win the ACC because that league does not have a juggernaut. Then again, the Mario Cristobal of it all scares everyone. Kirby Smart has full trust in Stockton now.
We are looking at an ascending player in Stockton at Georgia vs. a declining one in Beck for Miami.