Tag: georgia bulldogs news

Matchup preview: Baylor’s offense vs Georgia’s defense

Georgia DC Dan Lanning admits that the Dawgs face a tough test in scheming against a balanced Baylor offense.

Georgia’s defense may be coming off their worst performance of the season (statistically speaking), but the Bulldogs arrive in New Orleans still ranked fourth in total defense to square off against the Baylor Bears in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

As defensive coordinator Dan Lanning pointed out in his press conference, the Junkyard Dawgs face a tough test in scheming against a balanced Baylor offense.

The Bears feature a proven pocket passer in Charlie Brewer, who was recently cleared to play in the Sugar Bowl. Behind him are “shifty” tailbacks John Lovett and JaMycal Hasty, both totally solid in providing pass protection. Beside him are a group of versatile tight ends capable of receiving and particularly adept at blocking. He’s assisted by the great size and speed of his outside receivers, specifically in senior Denzel Mims and sophomore Tyquan Thornton.

With the Georgia secondary missing J.R. Reed and Tyrique McGhee, the Bears’ Brewer, Mims, and Thornton could take advantage of younger Bulldog players getting some of their first significant playing time in the defensive backfield. The defense has at times struggled with passes over the middle of the field, but has excelled with 50/50 balls to the outside of the field, so this matchup will be strength-on-strength.

Baylor is ranked at a good-but-not great 50th in the nation in team rushing and is presented a tall task in facing a Silver Britches defense ranked third in the country against the run.

Georgia’s defensive front seven is still the only group in the country that has given up only one rushing touchdown all year.  The next fewest: Oregon with four allowed.

If Baylor’s offense has one glaring weakness, it would be their offensive line.

They’re one of the bigger offensive lines in the Big XII and consequently are one of their conference’s better run blocking units. However, their pass protection is wildly inconsistent, they’ve given up more sacks (35) than any of their conference foes, and only eighteen FBS teams have given up more. That’s remarkable for a team that finished the regular season with a single loss.

The Dawgs’ D hasn’t rushed the quarterback as much this year as fans have seen in previous seasons, but with edge rushers Quay Walker, Nolan Smith, Jermaine Johnson, and Azeez Ojulari having combined for 12 sacks, Bulldog Nation should feel confident that Dan Lanning’s squad can notch multiple sacks on Brewer.

Given the injuries Georgia has on the other side of the ball, Baylor’s best chance at wearing down the Junkyard Dawgs is controlling time of possession. If Baylor’s offense can’t control the clock and Georgia’s defensive starters can get ample time to rest on the sideline, I like the Dawgs in this one.

For a full preview of the game, click here.

Georgia football DC Dan Lanning: Baylor offense “doesn’t beat themselves”

Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning took to the podium today for his pre-Sugar Bowl presser.

Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning took to the podium today for his pre-Sugar Bowl presser.

Arriving in New Orleans without Jim Thorpe Award finalist J.R. Reed, Lanning fielded several questions regarding altering his game plan in the absence of the standout senior safety. In addition, fellow defensive back Tyrique McGhee did not travel with the team and has not participated in bowl practices.

“That’s an opportunity [for younger players]. A lot of young guys got opportunities in this game last year. I think that was critical for their development.”

Lanning noted that last year’s Sugar Bowl was a huge opportunity for redshirt freshman Azeez Ojulari, who saw his first playing time in red and black in last year’s game and his since appeared in the starting lineup.

(Note: bowl games are considered exhibition matches by the NCAA and thus players such as Ojulari with a redshirt may participate without forfeiting a year of eligibility).

He believes that the 2019 Dawgs’ heavy rotational play on defense has them prepared for Baylor’s powerful offense.

“We’ve probably had over forty guys who have had significant roles for us in this defense. You’re not necessarily going to see new [players], but you’ll see more [of rotational players]. More Lewis Cine, more Chris Smith, more Otis Reese.”

The defensive coordinator made it clear he didn’t want to single out any player on Georgia’s historically great 2019 defense.

“What’s great about our players is that they don’t care about who gets the recognition. They want to have success but they realize individual success comes within team success.”

The staff and players have dubbed this selfless style of play a “no-name defense.”

The stout Georgia defense earned a lot of team success in 2019 and enters the Sugar Bowl ranked fourth in total defense, but statistics aren’t Lanning’s primary concern.

“We take a lot of pride in our performance…and it’s great that the numbers reflect that. But our number one goal regardless of the numbers is the win.”

Baylor’s offense provides a challenge for Lanning’s defensive unit, and the coach has high praise for the Bears’ balanced offensive attack.

“They’re extremely well coached. They have big tight ends that can block at the point of attack, and they’re really big at receiver on the outside.”

He later added, “they have shifty backs, and their quarterback [Charlie] Brewer is just a winner.”

The Bears rushed one fifty-five percent of their plays (476 pass to 394 rush) in 2019, a bit uncharacteristic of a Big XII offense. Lanning admitted that it’s difficult to scheme around a group that does “a great job of mixing it up.”

“If you want to take away the wideouts, they’re going to be able to run the ball. If you want to take away the run, they’re going to be able to throw the 50-50 ball to the outside.”

The Dawgs will need to play their usual disciplined defense to contain an equally disciplined Baylor offense.

Lanning stated simply: “They’re a team that doesn’t beat themselves.”

UGA football among Bralyn Oliver’s top schools

Bralyn Oliver, a three-star safety, out of Honea Path, South Carolina put Georgia, Tennessee, Louisville, and others in his top schools.

Bralyn Oliver, a class of 2021 recruiting target for Georgia, is from Honea Path, South Carolina. Oliver plays at Belton Honea Path High School.

The three-star was the first player to commit to Georgia in the class of 2021. The safety announced his de-commitment on November 25th via Twitter:

Now, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisville, Duke and others were in the safety’s top ten. Oliver later deleted the Tweet.

Georgia is still building the class of 2021. Kirby Smart and Georgia is putting together a solid class of 2020, which has the early signing day this Wednesday. Oliver could help replace the loss of JR Reed after this season and the eventual departure of Richard LeCounte and Lewis Cine. Oliver likely wants to stay close to his South Carolina home.

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Georgia football commit Jalen Kimber reaffirms he’s coming to UGA

Four-star corner Jalen Kimber reaffirmed his commitment to UGA via Twitter. Kimber is an elite athlete.

The Georgia Bulldogs landed a commitment from four-star cornerback Jalen Kimber back in April. Kimber hasn’t wavered on his original commitment and plans to sign with the Bulldogs on Wednesday:

Kimber is a top 150 recruit and played high school football at Mansfield Timberview. He’s from Arlington, Texas.

Kimber tested in the 99th percentile of athletes at The Opening this summer. At six feet tall, he has good size for a corner. Kimber’s 4.44 second forty yard dash is impressive, but his best result from The Opening is the forty-two inch vertical jump he recorded. At forty-two inches, Kimber’s vertical jump would’ve placed him tied for fifth at the 2019 NFL Combine.

Kimber is also doing his best to recruit for Georgia as well:

He’s currently the only defensive back in UGA’s class of 2020, but I’d expect that to change very soon. Kimber will be a fun athlete to watch play in Athens.

UGA commit Marcus Rosemy dominates state championship

UGA commit Marcus Rosemy is a talented four-star prospect from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He plays at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

The Georgia Bulldogs have big-time help on the way in the form of 2020 wide receiver commitment Marcus Rosemy. Rosemy is a talented four-star prospect from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He plays at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, which won the state championship this past weekend.

Rosemy played a huge role in their state championship win. He scored a sweet touchdown catch in the biggest game at the highest level of Florida High School football:

Rosemy didn’t stop there. He also intercepted a potential touchdown on the game’s final play:

Rosemy will be fun to watch in Athens. Congratulations to him on the state championship. He’ll be a difference-maker as soon as he gets on campus.

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Former Georgia commit chooses Bulldog rival

Former Georgia football commit chose to commit to the Florida Gators.

This week, Georgia suffered its first de-commitment since the departure of offensive line coach Sam Pittman to Arkansas.

2020 4-star offensive tackle Josh Braun, who de-committed from Georgia, has chosen to commit to the Florida Gators.

Braun ranks as the nation’s No. 285 overall player, No. 22 offensive tackle and 49th player in the state of Florida.

Georgia now has the nation’s eighth ranked class for 2020 and will need to turn on the burners down the stretch to land a top-five class.

Florida has passed the Dawgs and sits at No. 6 in the nation after the commitment of Braun.

Braun, out of Suwanee High School in Live Oak, Florida, was one of five commitments Pittman had secured on the offensive line.

Despite the decommitment, Georgia is still in good shape with four offensive linemen committed in the class of 2020.

Receiver issues? UGA commit Marcus Rosemy will help

The Georgia Bulldogs struggled at the receiver position this past season when compared to elite teams throughout the country. Just look at the stacked receiving cores of all four teams in the College Football Playoffs and the ridiculously talented …

The Georgia Bulldogs struggled at the receiver position this past season when compared to elite teams throughout the country. Just look at the stacked receiving cores of all four teams in the College Football Playoffs and the ridiculously talented four wide-outs at Alabama. George Pickens led the Dawgs with 552 receiving yards this season. He’ll be a huge factor and a legitimate number one next season, but he needs a partner in crime in 2020.

Enter Georgia football commit Marcus Rosemy will be a huge factor for Georgia next season. Especially after Dominick Blaylock suffered a torn ACL in the SEC Championship Game against LSU. Blaylock may be healthy by the start of next season (Clemson’s Tee Higgins seems to be just fine after having his season end on a similar note in 2018-2019), but that assumes his recovery and rehabilitation go smooth.

Rosemy is rated as the seventh best receiver in the class of 2020 and has impressive ball skills. He flashes a jump-ball ability similar to that of Lawrence Cager. Rosemy re-assured UGA fans of his commitment after the LSU game:

Rosemy doesn’t have elite Mecole Hardman level speed, but he’s dominated on the high school level. Rosemy shows good after the catch ability and has a decent arm too:

Rosemy will play in the state championship in Florida this weekend for St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

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Georgia loses commitment from 4-star OT – Trending toward Florida?

Georgia football lost a commitment from a 4-star offensive tackle on Wednesday.

Georgia has now suffered its first de-commitment since the departure of offensive line coach Sam Pittman to Arkansas.

2020 4-star offensive tackle Josh Braun has backed off his commitment from Georgia and appears to be trending toward Florida, according to 247Sports’ Crystal Ball.

“I have taken a step back from my commitment and am reassessing my recruitment,” Braun told 247Sports. “I committed to play under Coach Pittman, since he left my commitment is void.”

Braun ranks as the nation’s No. 285 overall player, No. 22 offensive tackle and 49th player in the state of Florida.

Braun, out of Suwanee High School in Live Oak, Florida, was one of five commitments Pittman had secured on the offensive line.

Despite the decommitment, Georgia is still in good shape with four offensive linemen committed in the class of 2020.

After the recent hiring of Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke to fill Pittman’s position in Georgia, I would expect Georgia to reel in a couple more commitments on the line. And given the relationship Pittman built with Georgia’s current commits, it would not come as a shock to see another one back off of his commitment to the Dawgs.

The Dawgs will be fine.

Paul Finebaum on Georgia football, Kirby Smart: ‘It’s not working’

Paul Finebaum discussed Georgia football, Kirby Smart and how ‘it’s not working.’

Paul Finebaum calls it like he sees it when it comes to college football and things that certain fans may not want to hear.

And on Monday, following Georgia’s embarrassing performance against LSU in the SEC Championship, Finebaum harshly discussed Georgia, Kirby Smart and how his style of football is not working anymore.

“Listen Kirby Smart is trying to run Alabama 2.0 and it’s not working,” Finebaum said while WJOX 94.5 FM out of Birmingham. “I say it’s not working because they’re not winning and competing seriously for national championships… You can’t end the season like that and you know I hear Georgia fans saying, ‘Well we didn’t have Cager, we didn’t have -‘. Hey, when you recruit at the level that Alabama and Georgia recruit, you don’t have excuses, because nobody else is in that league other than maybe Ohio State or Clemson and now LSU.

And listen, I think everyone talking right now is a fan of Kirby Smart but he’s going to catch a lot of heat, and you know it started with the bowl game (the Sugar Bowl loss against Texas) which everyone wrote off as they didn’t care and this season has been a roller coaster. And the one thing this season didn’t have until Saturday was that predictable one-off Kirby Smart blowout. Got that now!”

Well, Finebaum has a point. Smart does need to adapt to the times of college football. But I would not say it isn’t working. Three 11-1 finishes in a row. That’s not easy.

Decade in review: How Georgia football performed against rivals

From the beginning of the 2010 to 2019, the Georgia Bulldogs posted over a .500 winning percentage against each of their rival programs.

We’ve reached the end of college football’s 2019 regular season. From the beginning of the 2010 regulation schedule to the culmination of the current year’s, the Georgia Bulldogs posted a .500 or better winning percentage against each of their rival programs.

The Dawgs won eight and lost two against in-state rival Georgia Tech, earning the past three Governor’s Cups in a row.

They went 8-3 vs. Auburn, including a victory in the 2017 SEC Championship Game, winning the past three meetings consecutively.

They posted a record of six wins and four losses vs. Florida, also winning three meetings in a row.

The Bulldogs went 8-2 in matchups against Tennessee, again with three successive wins.

Georgia’s worst rivalry record of the decade comes against South Carolina. The Bulldogs split 10 games against the Gamecocks, accumulating five wins and five losses.