The Georgia Bulldogs suffered their second loss of the season on Saturday at the hands of the hated Florida Gators. Florida’s offense overpowered Georgia’s defense and won 44-28.
Now, Georgia must evaluate itself as the Bulldogs no longer have realistic College Football Playoff hopes. This is the first time since 2016 that Georgia hasn’t been in contention for a National Championship until the SEC Championship Game.
Firstly, the Dawgs must get healthier. Georgia is without numerous starters on the defensive side of the ball. Additionally, Stetson Bennett, George Pickens, Kendall Milton, and more are ailing on offense. There’s no reason to rush back players considering there’s no longer a National Championship run to play for.
Kirby Smart must find a way to gain more consistent quarterback play throughout the rest of the season. The Bulldogs must learn what they’ve got presently on the roster. Quarterbacks are the most important position in football and Georgia’s quarterbacks haven’t gotten the job done this season.
The Bulldogs must answer some burning questions: Is D’Wan Mathis or Stetson Bennett better? Is USC Trojans transfer J.T. Daniels healthy? Can Carson Beck be effective? Georgia has to do better with the quarterback position moving forward if it wants to win a championship.
The Dawgs had tough luck with Jamie Newman’s opt out before the season, but they shouldn’t have to count on transfer quarterbacks.
Georgia has a commitment in a five-star quarterback recruit in Brock Vandagriff, who will likely be favored to start the 2021 season. Georgia needs to have a good back-up quarterback next season who can efficiently run the offense should Vandagriff get hurt.
The Bulldogs must have a more effective passing attack to be a serious National Championship contender. Georgia must showcase a more dynamic passing game in the final four games of the season. The Dawgs need to work on their largest weakness.
The Georgia Bulldogs will be favored in all four of their remaining games: at Missouri, Mississippi State, at South Carolina, and a home finale against Vanderbilt.
Kirby Smart and Georgia must send seniors out the right way. Winning out is what these seniors and NFL Draft eligible players deserve. That being said, the staff will want to evaluate some young talent. Additionally, roster management heading into the offseason will be unique this season since seniors can return (they won’t lose a season of eligibility this year, per NCAA rules for this season only).
Georgia’s got to do some serious self evaluation. As for the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs need to be able to stop wheel routes and pass-catching running backs. Florida humiliated UGA with this combination. Alabama additionally used wheel routes to burn Georgia several times.
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