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THE DAWG BONES
GEORGIA VS FLORIDA
BY CLAY WATKINS
DAWG BONES OFFENSE - GEORGIA
Georgia’s offense has been every bit as potent as expected before the
season began. The Dawgs are averaging 41.7 PPG (#10 nationally), 527 YPG
(#4 nationally), 330 passing YPG (#10 nationally), and 197 rushing YPG (#30
nationally). Georgia got back to running the ball effectively the last couple of
weeks and if the Dawgs can keep teams honest by hitting some deep shots,
they should continue to roll up points. Florida’s running game has been the
offenses only bright spot, producing an average of 214 YPG (#17 nationally).
Florida ranks 91st nationally in passing YPG and ranks 101st nationally in
PPG. Anthony Richardson is only completing a less-than-pedestrian 57% of
his passes and has more interceptions (7) than TD passes (6).
DAWG BONES DEFENSE – GEORGIA
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The Dawgs’ defense may be the best in the country. After seven games,
the Dawgs are only giving up 9.1 PPG (#2 nationally), 247 YPG (#3
nationally), 164 passing YPG (#8 nationally), and 83 rushing YPG (#5
nationally). The Dawgs have accomplished this with their All-American
DL, Jalen Carter, who has played little more than one game. Carter
should be back for the Florida game. The Gators rank 106th in total
defense giving up nearly 430 YPG. Florida is statistically weak against
the run and pass. Florida ranks 87th in the country against the pass and
111th against the run. Unlike Georgia, Florida does not have great depth
defensively and they tend to wear down as the game progresses.
DAWG BONES SPECIAL TEAMS – GEORGIA
Jack Podlesny has been superb for Georgia this year, making 14/16 of his field
goal attempts. Jack Pod has a career 83 percent average converting field goals,
which bests Rodrigo Blankenship’s career field goal percentage of 82.5. Punter
Brett Thorson has also been steady for the Dawgs. Thorson has not been
called on much this year but is averaging a respectable 43 yards a punt and
has been adept at pinning teams inside the 20. Adam Mihalek, Florida’s kicker,
is only converting on 56 percent of his field goals, but does have a long of 50
yards. Georgia is excellent in kick coverage – primarily using starters on most
coverage units – while Florida relies more on back-ups.
DAWG BONES COACHING – GEORGIA
This year is not off to the start many Florida fans hoped for after the
Gators beat Utah to open the season. Napier should be credited
for transitioning the offense to a more run-focused approach after
Richardson’s early season troubles airing it out. Florida’s defense has
underperformed despite having some NFL talent. In contrast, Kirby
Smart is at the pinnacle of the college coaching fraternity. Coming off
a national championship and a new 10-year contract making him one
of the highest paid coaches in the nation, Smart shows no signs of
complacency. In fact, many predicted a drop off defensively this year
after the Dawgs lost 15 players to the NFL draft, but statistically this
year’s defense is on par with last year’s. Recruiting is also rolling, as usual.
DAWG BONES OVERALL – GEORGIA
Georgia should be favored by double digits against the Gators. Both teams
will be coming off bye weeks, so expect a few new wrinkles from each
team. As with any heated rivalry game, the favorite does not always win.
Unless the Dawgs turn the ball over and fail to play inspired football, the
Dawgs should be 8-0 heading into a Game Day weekend in the Classic City
against Tennessee.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 22 ISSUE TEN • FLORIDA