Three Observations
3. Man up
The first thing I was told about Notre Dame was that they play a lot of man coverage. That could bode well for Georgia when it comes to explosive plays. I know the Bulldogs wideouts have more drops than stadium cell service, but Georgia also has the third most 20+ yard passing plays in the SEC. I doubt Notre Dame has anyone as fast as Arian Smith or as strong as Dillon Bel on contested catches. Dominick Lovett is quietly having a productive senior season. These guys should be excited. I can see Gunner Stockton feeding London Humphreys and the tight ends as well.
Man coverage could also lead to explosive Georgia plays in the run game when Nate Frazier and Trevor Etienne break through the line of scrimmage.
2. Built for this
Georgia’s defense is built to stop the run every year. From recruiting to weight training to scheme, the Bulldogs' front seven is harder to escape than an HOA contract. Notre Dame relies on the run. The Irish have the nation’s No. 11 rushing offense. But their passing offense is ranked at No. 101. Notre Dame is as one-dimensional as its conference affiliation. Georgia should match up well on defense. I can see the Georgia defensive line folding the Irish O-line like a middle school love note.
Still, Georgia’s mercurial defense has been gashed by the run at times. It seems allergic to tackling a running quarterback. The Dawgs will need to tackle well in space and limit the explosives Notre Dame likes to hit.
And if Notre Dame goes to the air, I like that Will Muschamp will be in the building to offer advice on the secondary.
1. Gunner’s test
I’d feel a lot better if Carson Beck and his experience were starting this game. Marcus Freeman has had time to come up with some confusing coverages to trip up Stockton. But Gunner has been preparing for this role for years.
In 2022, he was the scout team quarterback who faced the Georgia defense in practice every week. In 2023 and 2024, Stockton faced the Bulldogs' first-string defense over and over.
We talk about what a good runner he is, but he’s a better passer than most people know. Mike Bobo didn’t stop calling passes when Gunner went into the game. And he won’t stop calling them this week.
Two Questions
2. Should Georgia punt?
I feel bad for Drew Miller. You just know his first punt is likely going to be out of his own endzone in the playoffs. How will he handle it? The kid has a leg, but the pressure is going to be worse than taking your girlfriend to a wedding. And how will Georgia cover these punts? The Dawgs haven’t had to really cover punts. In the last three years, the Bulldogs have only seen 15 punt returns (out of 110 punts). Georgia is more out of practice than an Auburn girl saying no. I’m not saying Georgia shouldn’t punt, but with the size advantage on the line of scrimmage, maybe the Bulldogs go for it more on fourth down.
1. Who’s back?
Georgia has had time to rest and get healthy. How will Christen Miller feel? Is Earnest Greene ready to take his left tackle spot? Etienne told us his ribs are much better, although he will still wear a protective vest. Micah Morris looked to be in a great mood yesterday. Maybe we even see Anthony Evans? The dark days of seeing Smael Mondon, Mykell Williams and Tate Ratledge on the sideline are over. Now the Dawgs are just missing their quarterback and punter. We can’t have everything I guess.
One Prediction
Georgia could lose this game, but it shouldn’t. It has the better roster. More importantly, it also has the far bigger roster. When we saw the Notre Dame squad yesterday, I was reminded of seeing TCU. Or a certain meme I can’t share. Georgia’s offensive line will tower over the Irish defensive front. Some of those second-string Irish guys looked softer than a Fudge Round. And the last time the Irish were a real danger to win a title, we still had ashtrays built into the backseats of cars.
But this Irish team is very talented and only has to get up for this one game. This is their first real test. Anybody can win a one-game season. Georgia, on the other hand, has survived a gauntlet. Folks will call UGA battle-tested. I call them out of their nine lives. The Dawgs have survived too many games by the skin of their teeth. They won in overtime twice, once with a one-armed quarterback.
At some point, your luck has to run out.
It just won’t be tomorrow.
If you enjoy these columns, then please visit our sponsor at Bulldog Snacks.
They sell great granola bars and cookies that help Georgia bring a lot of money to be used in its NIL efforts.
Visit their page, place an order and leave a nice review.
LINK: https://www.getbulldogbar.com/
3. Man up
The first thing I was told about Notre Dame was that they play a lot of man coverage. That could bode well for Georgia when it comes to explosive plays. I know the Bulldogs wideouts have more drops than stadium cell service, but Georgia also has the third most 20+ yard passing plays in the SEC. I doubt Notre Dame has anyone as fast as Arian Smith or as strong as Dillon Bel on contested catches. Dominick Lovett is quietly having a productive senior season. These guys should be excited. I can see Gunner Stockton feeding London Humphreys and the tight ends as well.
Man coverage could also lead to explosive Georgia plays in the run game when Nate Frazier and Trevor Etienne break through the line of scrimmage.
2. Built for this
Georgia’s defense is built to stop the run every year. From recruiting to weight training to scheme, the Bulldogs' front seven is harder to escape than an HOA contract. Notre Dame relies on the run. The Irish have the nation’s No. 11 rushing offense. But their passing offense is ranked at No. 101. Notre Dame is as one-dimensional as its conference affiliation. Georgia should match up well on defense. I can see the Georgia defensive line folding the Irish O-line like a middle school love note.
Still, Georgia’s mercurial defense has been gashed by the run at times. It seems allergic to tackling a running quarterback. The Dawgs will need to tackle well in space and limit the explosives Notre Dame likes to hit.
And if Notre Dame goes to the air, I like that Will Muschamp will be in the building to offer advice on the secondary.
1. Gunner’s test
I’d feel a lot better if Carson Beck and his experience were starting this game. Marcus Freeman has had time to come up with some confusing coverages to trip up Stockton. But Gunner has been preparing for this role for years.
In 2022, he was the scout team quarterback who faced the Georgia defense in practice every week. In 2023 and 2024, Stockton faced the Bulldogs' first-string defense over and over.
We talk about what a good runner he is, but he’s a better passer than most people know. Mike Bobo didn’t stop calling passes when Gunner went into the game. And he won’t stop calling them this week.
Two Questions
2. Should Georgia punt?
I feel bad for Drew Miller. You just know his first punt is likely going to be out of his own endzone in the playoffs. How will he handle it? The kid has a leg, but the pressure is going to be worse than taking your girlfriend to a wedding. And how will Georgia cover these punts? The Dawgs haven’t had to really cover punts. In the last three years, the Bulldogs have only seen 15 punt returns (out of 110 punts). Georgia is more out of practice than an Auburn girl saying no. I’m not saying Georgia shouldn’t punt, but with the size advantage on the line of scrimmage, maybe the Bulldogs go for it more on fourth down.
1. Who’s back?
Georgia has had time to rest and get healthy. How will Christen Miller feel? Is Earnest Greene ready to take his left tackle spot? Etienne told us his ribs are much better, although he will still wear a protective vest. Micah Morris looked to be in a great mood yesterday. Maybe we even see Anthony Evans? The dark days of seeing Smael Mondon, Mykell Williams and Tate Ratledge on the sideline are over. Now the Dawgs are just missing their quarterback and punter. We can’t have everything I guess.
One Prediction
Georgia could lose this game, but it shouldn’t. It has the better roster. More importantly, it also has the far bigger roster. When we saw the Notre Dame squad yesterday, I was reminded of seeing TCU. Or a certain meme I can’t share. Georgia’s offensive line will tower over the Irish defensive front. Some of those second-string Irish guys looked softer than a Fudge Round. And the last time the Irish were a real danger to win a title, we still had ashtrays built into the backseats of cars.
But this Irish team is very talented and only has to get up for this one game. This is their first real test. Anybody can win a one-game season. Georgia, on the other hand, has survived a gauntlet. Folks will call UGA battle-tested. I call them out of their nine lives. The Dawgs have survived too many games by the skin of their teeth. They won in overtime twice, once with a one-armed quarterback.
At some point, your luck has to run out.
It just won’t be tomorrow.
If you enjoy these columns, then please visit our sponsor at Bulldog Snacks.
They sell great granola bars and cookies that help Georgia bring a lot of money to be used in its NIL efforts.
Visit their page, place an order and leave a nice review.
LINK: https://www.getbulldogbar.com/
