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Highest, lowest PFF grades from UGA’s SEC championship win

Georgia football’s best and worst PFF grades from the Bulldogs’ SEC championship overtime win over Texas

In Georgia’s thrilling overtime SEC championship win over the Texas Longhorns, the Bulldogs relied on several standout players.

After Carson Beck left the game due to injury, Gunner Stockton played the game of his life. Trevor Etienne made an emphatic return from a rib injury. The offensive line’s run-blocking was amazing, especially Tate Ratledge, who was a member of Pro Football Focus’s all-national team for conference championship week.

The Georgia pass rush wreaked havoc on quarterback Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns offense, causing Ewers to throw two picks to Daylon Everette, who, according to PFF, was the best defender of the week.

Unfortunately, there were some underperformers. Monroe Freeling had his worst day as a blindside blocker. He allowed the pressure that caused Carson Beck’s injury. Dillon Bell and Dominic Lovett were underwhelming again, and Dan Jackson missed three tackles.

HIGHEST AND LOWEST PFF GRADES FROM THE GEORGIA OFFENSE AND DEFENSE VS. TEXAS

Offense

Best Grades

Running Back Trevor Etienne: 80.6 overall grade, 78.6 receiving grade, 50.4 pass-blocking, 78.5 running grade, 59.2 run-blocking grade

Guard Tate Ratledge: 74.6 overall grade, 75.5 pass-blocking grade, 75.1 run-blocking grade

Running Back Nate Frazier: 73.1 overall grade, 60.9 receiving grade, 74.4 pass-blocking, 73.6 running grade, 59.5 run-blocking grade

Worst Grades

Joshua l. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Quarterback Carson Beck: 34.3 overall grade, 33.4 passing grade, 59.9 running grade

Tight End Benjamin Yurosek: 46.8 overall grade, 64.6 receiving grade, 72.3 pass-blocking grade, 35.4 run-blocking grade

Left Tackle Monroe Freeling: 47.7 overall grade, 69.0 pass-blocking grade, 40.9 run-blocking grade

Defense

Best Grades

Cornerback Daylen Everette: 85.8 overall grade, 68.8 run defense grade, 47.3 tackling grade, 65.6 pass-rushing grade, 85.2 coverage grade

Linebacker Chaz Chambliss: 77.1 overall grade, 78.3 run-defense grade, 76 tackling grade, 66.0 pass-rushing grade, 60.5 coverage grade

Safety KJ Bolden: 74.6 overall grade, 66.7 run defense grade, 83.5 tackling grade, 74.3 coverage grade

Worst Grades

Linebacker Damon Wilson Jr.: 49.7 overall grade, 41.9 run-defense grade, 72.2 tackling grade, 57.8 pass-rushing grade, 60.4 coverage grade

Defensive Tackle Jordan Hall: 51.4 overall grade, 53.3 run-defense grade, 55.0 pass-rushing grade

Safety Dan Jackson: 53.8 overall grade, 65.9 run defense grade, 28.6 tackling grade, 50.9 coverage grade

Steve Sarkisian on Georgia’s fake punt, Texas’ red zone struggles

Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian explains the Longhorns’ red zone struggles, failure to stop UGA’s fake punt

The Texas Longhorns and coach Steve Sarkisian lost their first SEC championship game appearance to the Georgia Bulldogs. Texas fell, 22-19, in the first SEC title game to go to overtime.

Texas’ loss means the Longhorns don’t have a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. Instead, Texas, which is the No. 5 seed, will play the 12th-seeded Clemson Tigers.

Sarkisian laments missed opportunities

“I think the challenge in games like this is to maximize the opportunities when you get them. In the first half we had some great opportunities and we just couldn’t capitalize the way we would have liked,” said Sarkisian.

“Clearly the penalties were an issue in the first half where we stalled out on some things and for the in some third-and-longs and whatnot. Our defense played a fantastic first half. I think it was like 260 yards to 54. But the score was 6-3. Clearly we weren’t capitalizing on the opportunities we had.”

Texas’ offense moved the ball more consistently than Georgia, but the Longhorns totaled three turnovers and 11 penalties for 94 yards. Texas struggled blocking Georgia’s front seven and allowed six sacks while only accumulating 31 rushing yards on 28 attempts.

Sarkisian unhappy with Texas’ high red zone offense

Texas Longhorns place kicker Bert Auburn converted four of six field goal attempts against the Georgia Bulldogs during the SEC Championship game. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Texas drove the ball inside Georgia’s 25 yardline on five different occasions. The Longhorns always seemed to stall once the field shrank around the red zone. Texas scored just one touchdown and settled for six field goal attempts including one in overtime.

“At the end of the day we weren’t effective enough in the high red (area) to put touchdowns on the board. I think that in and of itself was probably a microcosm of the game because we had plenty of opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize on them,” said Sarkisian.

Sacks and penalties plagued Texas around the red zone.

On Georgia’s fake punt

“We had a return set up,” said Sarkisian on Georgia’s fake punt. “They ran a motion. I thought we actually defended it relatively well. … We lost some of our edge containment there.”

“The kid (Arian Smith) they flipped the ball to is a 10 200-meter guy. I know him well, recruited him out of high school. It turns into a foot race at that moment. It wasn’t like we got completely duped and had no clue,” continued Sarkisian. “Nice play by them. Good execution.”

On UGA’s red zone defense

“They’re a good football team. They’ve got good schemes, good players. There were a couple bang-bang plays we weren’t able to get. I think the negative plays kind of hurt us when we got there (to the red zone),” said Sarkisian. “The overtime was kind of a microcosm of the game. We couldn’t put the ball in the end zone. We had to settle for a field goal. That opened the door for them to score and win the ballgame.”

“If we’re fortunate enough to see them again, we’re going to have to improve in that area,” Sarkisian noted.

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If Georgia and Texas meet for a third time, it will be for a national championship.

Joel Klatt’s top 10 college football rankings after Championship Week

Joel Klatt’s top 10 college football rankings are out after conference championship weekend

Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt released his top 10 college football rankings after conference championship weekend.

Of the championship games, none was more anticipated than Georgia-Texas in the SEC. The game was a defensive duel: Texas held a 6-3 halftime lead.

Georgia looked down and out when Carson Beck suffered an injury that took him out of the game, but the UGA rushing offense came alive. Texas countered with a strong passing game and the two teams went to overtime tied at 16. The Longhorns kicked a field goal on their drive, but the Bulldogs scored a touchdown to win, 22-19.

Georgia slides up to No. 2 in Klatt’s rankings, while Texas falls to No. 6. The Bulldogs earned a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed for winning the SEC; Texas hosts Clemson in the first round.

A pair of playoff bubble teams played in the ACC championship. Clemson dominated SMU, holding a 31-14 lead going into the fourth, but SMU tied the game with 16 seconds left. However, the Mustangs’ special teams allowed a big return and with one play, Clemson moved into field-goal range. Clemson’s kicker Noah Hauser booted the game-winning 56-yard field goal.

The Big Ten championship between Oregon and Penn State was an offensive shootout. Oregon unleashed an excellent offensive game plan, but Penn State never relented. The Nittany Lions had a chance to tie the game late, but the Ducks picked off Drew Allar, sealing the game and the top seed in the College Football Playoff.

The Big 12 championship was not close. Arizona State thoroughly manhandled Iowa State, 45-19. As a result, the Sun Devils are the improbable winners of the Big 12 and get a first-round bye as the No. 4 seed.

Outside of the Power Four, the Boise State Broncos took care of business against the UNLV Rebels, 21-7. The Boise State offense relied on a steady diet from Ashton Jeanty, while the defense shut down UNLV’s offense. Boise State also earns a bye and the No. 3 spot.

The final College Football Playoff rankings were released on Sunday. Oregon, Georgia, Boise State and Arizona get to rest for an extra week. No. 12 Clemson plays No. 5 Texas at home, and No. 11 SMU travels to Beaver Stadium to play the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions. No. 10 Indiana and No. 7 Notre Dame play in an in-state rivalry, and No. 8 Ohio State plays No. 9 Tennessee.

Honorable Mentions: Alabama Crimson Tide, Ole Miss Rebels, South Carolina Gamecocks, Clemson Tigers, SMU Mustangs

Here are Joel Klatt’s top 10 teams:

No. 10: Arizona State Sun Devils

Record: 11-2 (plus-11.8 average point differential)

Result: Big 12 championship win vs. Iowa State Cyclones 45-19

No. 9: Boise State Broncos

Record: 12-1 (plus-17.2 average point differential)

Result: Mountain West championship win vs. UNLV Rebels 21-7

No. 8: Indiana Hoosiers

Record: 11-1 (plus-28.7 average point differential)

Result: Off

No. 7: Penn State Nittany Lions

Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Record: 11-2 (plus-17.2 average point differential)

Result: Big Ten championship loss vs. Oregon Ducks 45-37

Nittany Lions Wire

No. 6: Texas Longhorns

Record: 11-2 (plus-21.2 average point differential)

Result: SEC championship loss vs. Georgia Bulldogs 22-19

Longhorns Wire

No. 5: Ohio State Buckeyes

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Record: 10-2 (plus-24.6 average point differential)

Result: Off

Buckeyes Wire

No. 4: Tennessee Volunteers

© Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Record: 10-2 (plus-23.3 average point differential)

Result: Off

Volunteers Wire

No. 3: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Record: 11-1 (plus-26.2 average point differential)

Result: Off

Fighting Irish Wire

No. 2: Georgia Bulldogs

Record: 11-2 (plus-12.8 average point differential)

Result: SEC championship win vs. Texas Longhorns 22-19

No. 1: Oregon Ducks

Record: 13-0 (plus-18.8 average point differential)

Result: Big Ten championship win vs. Penn State 45-37

Ducks Wire

Takeaways from Georgia’s SEC championship OT win

Georgia wins an 22-19 overtime thriller in the SEC championship vs. the Texas Longhorns.

The No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (11-2) have played in intense games against tough opponents this year, but none was more important than the SEC championship. Georgia squared off against the No. 2 Texas Longhorns (11-2), a team the Bulldogs beat in the regular season.

Many critics, such as Joel Klatt, considered Georgia an underdog, but Georgia snagged victory out of the jaws of defeat. The Bulldogs’ prospects looked pretty grim in the first half. Texas led 6-3 and Carson Beck left the game with injury. However, the Bulldogs relied on Trevor Etienne to storm back, gaining a 13-6 lead in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Texas tied it at 13 with a 41-yard pass from quarterback Quinn Ewers to DeAndre Moore Jr.. Georgia kicked a field goal, taking the lead with 4:35 left, and the Bulldogs should’ve sealed it with an interception of Ewers with 3:44 left to go. However, Gunner Stockton threw his own interception to give Texas one last shot to drive the field and kick a field goal, which sent the game into overtime tied at 16.

ALSO SEE: Celebrate Georgia’s 15th SEC Championship with exclusive merchandise!

In overtime, Georgia stopped Texas at the 15-yard line, so the Longhorns kicked a field goal. The Bulldogs capped their drive with a Trevor Etienne rushing touchdown to win, 22-19.

This was somewhat a must-win game for Georgia. If the Bulldogs were 10-3, they could’ve risked having to travel in the playoff first round or miss the field entirely. With the selection committee’s decision to leave Florida State out of the playoffs last year partially due to Jordan Travis’ injury, the same fate could’ve happened to Georgia with Beck getting hurt had the Bulldogs lost.

Now, Georgia will get a first-round bye for winning the SEC. This marks the third time in four years Georgia has won the SEC title.

Texas will host a home playoff game, but the Longhorns would’ve been much better off had they received a bye.

HERE ARE FOUR KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM GEORGIA’S WIN OVER Texas:

The Status of Carson Beck

It was great for Georgia fans to see Georgia win the SEC championship once again, but the status of Beck looms over the playoff possibilities for Georgia. Beck came back to hand the ball off to Etienne for the game-winning score, but his injury status will be something to monitor.

Will Beck be forced to miss a game or the rest of the season? After Beck’s first-half injury, Georgia fans received their first extended look at Gunner Stockton. Stockton made some highlight plays and was a legitimate runner, but he threw a ghastly interception under pressure. Regardless of Beck’s up-and-down season against SEC opponents, he has much more experience than Stockton.

The bye week will be huge for Beck’s recovery, but if he misses time, the Bulldogs will have to rely on unproven options at quarterback. It has worked before for Alabama, so could it work for Georgia.

Trevor Etienne’s presence was much needed

Regardless of the quarterback play, the Bulldogs were able to rely on a stout running game. The lead back was Etienne, who put on a stellar performance of 122 total yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner, on 21 touches (16 carries and five receptions). Safe to say, he didn’t appear affected by the rib injury that kept him out the past three games.

Etienne’s presence allowed Nate Frazier to be an effective change-of-pace back. He accrued 47 yards on six carries.

Georgia’s front seven was electric

In Georgia’s last matchup against Texas, the front seven was the story of the game. The Bulldogs produced seven sacks and forced four turnovers in the Week 8 matchup. Georgia allowed 29 rushing yards on 27 attempts.

With Texas’ standout tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. ruled out, the script was similar in this game. Georgia racked up six sacks of Quinn Ewers. While the passing game was pretty effective for Texas, the Longhorns’ running game was stifled again. Georgia allowed Texas to gain 31 rushing yards on 28 attempts.

Daylen Everette had a legacy game

Daylen Everette was also a big story from Georgia’s Week 8 game against Texas. He had a forced fumble, a sack and an interception.

This game was similar, except he was best in coverage. He picked off Ewers twice, and if it weren’t for Stockton’s interception, his pick could’ve sealed the game. Everette had a legacy game against Texas again. He took home the SEC championship MVP as a result.

Georgia’s top SEC championship performers

Impact players in the Georgia Bulldogs’ 22-19 win over the Texas Longhorns in the SEC championship

The Georgia Bulldogs beat the Texas Longhorns in the 2024 SEC championship thanks to several standout performances. In the 22-19 defensive minded SEC championship win for the Bulldogs, who are the bright spots for Georgia during the Dawgs’ comeback victory?

Quarterback Gunner Stockton

In a game where Stockton thought he was not going to play, he stepped up in the most important game of his career. Stockton was taking what the defense gave him through going 12 of 16 with 71 yards.

He added a rushing dynamic that helped the UGA offense. In the first possession after halftime, he helped dissect Texas’ defense to take the 10-6 lead. In late fourth quarter, he threw a costly interception that turned into a Texas field goal to send the game into overtime. In overtime, he was decisive and showed off his toughness after taking a huge hit from Texas safety Andrew Mukuba.

ALSO SEE: Celebrate Georgia’s 15th SEC Championship with exclusive merchandise!

Running back Trevor Etienne

Trevor Etienne’s injury status was up in the air due a rib injury. Carson Beck left the game with an upper body injury, then Etienne stepped up to aid the comeback. He became the focal point of the offense gaining over 100 total yards and scoring the only two touchdowns for the Georgia offense including the game-winning touchdown in overtime to crown the Bulldogs SEC champions.

“This why you come to Georgia,” Etienne said during his postgame interview. Etienne transferred from the Florida Gators to Georgia during last offseason.

Defensive back Daylen Everette

Daylen Everette has faced an insane amount of adversity during his time at Georgia. He was picked on last season, but was the shut down corner in the SEC championship. He had two interceptions against a very experienced quarterback in Quinn Ewers. Everette has been progressively been getting better this season and played his two best games versus Texas.

Entire front seven

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Warren Brinson (97) reacts after defeating the Texas Longhorns in overtime in the 2024 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Georgia front seven made their mark all game. In the previous matchup, they had seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss. In the SEC title game, they accounted for six sacks and 15 tackles for loss against Texas offensive lineman.

The most talented player in this front seven, junior defensive lineman Mykel Williams, played out of his mind with two sacks and two tackles for loss. Another player that showed up big time was senior defensive lineman Warren Brinson with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Georgia QB Carson Beck leaves SEC Championship with injury

Starting Georgia quarterback Carson Beck left the SEC Championship game with a hand injury.

The injury occurred at the end of the second quarter with him rolling out trying to heave a pass towards the end zone and unfortunately he was hit by a Texas defensive lineman while he was in his throwing motion. He was laying down for sometime before heading to the locker room for halftime.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said at halftime ” We have to take a look at him to see if he can go.”

ALSO SEE: Celebrate Georgia’s 15th SEC Championship with exclusive merchandise!

With Beck being out backup Gunner Stockton is stepping into the quarterback role into a crucial matchup with playoff seeding on the line.

Stockton has been in this offense for the past two years so he has familiarity within the offense.Stockton like Beck has waited his turn to take over the offense now he has his chance within the SEC Championship.

Carson Beck has been ruled out for the remainder of the SEC Championship after an injury he sustained in the first half. pic.twitter.com/zlfbt5hpCb

— ESPN (@espn) December 7, 2024

Carson Beck hit hard and seems to have injured his throwing shoulder on the last play of the 1st half #Georgia #Bulldogs #SEC #TexasFootball #Longhorns pic.twitter.com/Rzm8bLTVBx

— LOCKED UP SPORTS (@LockedUpSports) December 7, 2024

‘College GameDay’ predicts winner of Georgia vs. Texas

ESPN’s “College GameDay” team make their predictions on the SEC championship game

ESPN’s “College GameDay” crew has made their SEC championship predictions. Earlier this year, the crew picked the Texas Longhorns would win, but the Georgia Bulldogs proved them wrong in a dominant 30-15 win.

Georgia has a rematch with Texas in the SEC title game. Both teams have gone through more adversity and have made adjustments, so both teams will be completely different from the last matchup.

Former NFL punter and college football expert Pat McAfee called the Dawgs and picked Georgia to win. “Give me Georgia! Welcome to the SEC (Steve) Sark,” said McAfee.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban predicts that Texas will win. He claims he flipped a coin and it landed on Texas again. Former Michigan Wolverines legend Desmond Howard also predicts that Texas will win the SEC championship.

GameDay guest picker Timothee Chalamet, who is a three-time Golden Globe winner, picked Texas to win against Georgia. Pat McAfee is the only member of the GameDay crew that predicted Georgia to beat Texas.

Kirk Herbstreit did not make a prediction because he is commentating the Georgia-Texas game.

Georgia releases hype video before SEC Championship vs. Texas

The Georgia Bulldogs have dropped a hype trailed ahead of the SEC championship vs. Texas football

The No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (10-2, 6-2) play the No. 2 Texas Longhorns (11-1, 7-1) in the 2024 SEC championship game. Georgia is three-point underdogs, which should give the Dawgs a little bit more motivation.

Georgia’s hype video for the rematch of the Texas game is “No Retreat”. The video is narrated by former Georgia and current Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift.

Swift speaks on how directly facing challenges is part of Georgia’s championship DNA. Discomfort separates the great from the ordinary is another thing that he preaches. Enjoying the grind, being battle-tested, and being ready for whatever comes next.

He said a saying that has circulated around the program since head coach Kirby Smart took over, “For each other, with each other.”

The SEC championship game is Georgia’s highest stake game this season, Georgia fans want to see selflessness and the Dawgs bringing home the SEC title.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDQSOQSP5jY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Joel Klatt predicts winner of SEC Championship

Joel Klatt’s predicts who will win the SEC championship game between UGA and Texas

Fox college football analyst Joel Klatt has predicted his SEC championship winner. The Georgia Bulldogs take on the Texas Longhorns Saturday afternoon in the SEC championship.

The Bulldogs are considered three-point underdogs coming into this game. The Longhorns posted a dominant 11-1 record in their first season in the SEC, with their only loss coming against Georgia 30-15.

Klatt went on “The Joel Klatt Show” to discuss the SEC championship at length.

What does Joel Klatt say about the SEC championship?

On Kirby Smart: “We’re going to get underdog Kirby…when Georgia wins against an SEC team they should’ve, you’ll probably catch Kirby saying ‘Man, it’s tough to win on the road in the SEC’ and when Georgia wins a big game against a tough opponent, he’ll say, ‘Nobody gave us a chance to win this.'”

On the first meeting: “Georgia’s defensive line totally dominated the offensive line of Texas, which was a bit surprising. I think Texas has one of the best offensive line in the country.”

“Do I think this game is going to play exactly like the first meeting? No. Sark is too smart to go with the same game plan against Georgia.”

On injuries: “Kelvin Banks, the star left tackle for Texas, is dealing with an ankle injury…Quinn Ewers has been dealing with an ankle injury, so how effective is Kelvin Banks going against a front that was the only front to dominate the line over the course of the year?”

On Arch Manning: “Could the legs of Arch Manning be a factor in this game? It very well might be. Georgia’s defense gave up a ton of yardage to Haynes King. That could be an advantage for Texas. I like Quinn Ewers a lot but I’m starting to come around in that Arch might be a better option. This could be a similar discussion to Alabama back when they had Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts in 2017.”

On which Georgia team will show up: “I’m not sure. Let’s just hope for their sake that it’s the good version.”

On Carson Beck: “I think Carson Beck’s been better the last three games. He still turned it over three times against Texas and they (the Bulldogs) won, but he’s had twelve touchdowns and no turnovers the past three games. Can Carson Beck drive the ball against Texas and score?”

On the defensive matchup: “Texas’s defense is an elite defense. They’re No. 2 in the country behind only Ohio State, and Georgia’s defense just gave up 500 yards to Georgia Tech.”

Klatt believes that Texas will win in the rematch. “I think Texas wins the rematch. I think they’re a better football team. I think they win it 24-21,” Klatt said.

Klatt’s prediction: Texas 24, Georgia 21

Reasons Georgia will win the SEC championship

Reasons why Georgia football can win the 2024 SEC championship game vs. Texas

The No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs play the No. 2 Texas Longhorns on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET in the 2024 SEC championship game. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, will host the SEC title game.

With the Bulldogs only being three point underdogs here are the reasons Georgia can win the game

New-found offense

This large reason is Carson Beck’s improvement and consistency. In the first matchup between Texas, Georgia was very one dimensional. The Dawgs kept the football in Trevor Etienne hands.

Expect the Georgia playbook to be opened with the 2 seed of the College Football Playoff on the line. Beck has 11 touchdowns and no interceptions over his past three games.

Advantage in the trenches

The matchup between the offensive and defensive lines trend toward Georgia. In the previous matchup, the Bulldogs defense accounted for seven sacks and forced three fumbles. The offensive line held its ground and helped elevate the running game with three touchdowns.

With both the offensive line and the defensive line healthier, the expectation is Kirby Smart and company will have an advantage in the trenches.

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Familiar Opponent

The familiarity between the two teams is going to be a big factor in the result into the SEC championship game. Georgia coach Kirby Smart will show wrinkles that Texas and coach Steve Sarkisian have not seen before.