Georgia Can't Fast-Forward to 2021
It seems like the ‘wait until next year’ mentality is implanted into Georgia fans’ minds. For years Georgia has always been one player or play away from achieving something the likes we have not seen in Athens for over 40 years.
After the disappointing loss to Florida in Jacksonville just two weeks ago, it did not take long for fans to start looking forward to “next year” and hoping for a better year. While Georgia’s chances at making the College Football Playoffs are slim to none, there is still lots to play for this season.
Georgia has a lot of question marks heading into the seventh game of this ten-game regular season. The Bulldogs are perceived as just a piece or two away from being the perennial championship contenders so many have yearned for.
With just three regular-season games left in the condensed and odd season that has been 2020, Georgia must find answers to these questions. One of those most asked questions is no other than at the quarterback position.
In the span of just eight months, Georgia’s quarterback position went from being one of the most competitive and talent-filled in the nation to what we know now as one ragged by inconsistency and inexperience.
The quarterback position was one of the first needs addressed this past offseason and will need to be once again. The only way to write off the glaring need for a starter is now in the hands of the widely assumed starter JT Daniels this Saturday.
We all know the story of the former five-star quarterback out of Meter Dei High School in California. Daniels is fresh off a knee injury that has hampered many careers but has defined many others. The expected transitioning at quarterback has not come without the hype. Many fans began painting the picture of JT as the ‘savior’ of the season.
Having not played football in over a year it makes it extremely hard for Daniels to pick up where he left off at the beginning of last season.
Addressing the need at quarterback is at the top of my list for things I would like to be answered this season. The need and endless competition alone could even be a reason to continue to watch the Dawgs for the most disappointed fan.
The wealth of talent on defense coming into this season was apparent. Georgia was coming off a season where the defense flourished with talent all over the field. Even in a year where offensive production was hard to come by, the production and play of defense was exciting.
After losing three starters from a year ago, Georgia may have on its hands a mass exodus of talent leaving Athens for the NFL. Richard LeCounte and Jordan Davis are two of the top prospects on defense that may depart Athens. Simultaneously, others like Monty Rice, Eric Stokes, and Malik Herring could join them.
The long talked about ‘number one defense in the country’ is currently struggling with injuries. Georgia is missing stars like Richard LeCounte and Jordan Davis, both essential players to the unit’s performance. Simultaneously, others like Monty Rice and Lewis Cine have been on and off the field with injuries.
The only positive that we are taking out of this season is the amount of young talent contributing significant snaps early on. Jalen Carter, Christopher Smith, Quay Walker, and Major Burns have been thrust into play.
Players who previously would’ve been considered young and inexperienced are receiving valuable in-game reps. Georgia is building the depth that saw them rise to great heights just a year ago.
We’ve seen the Dawgs struggled defensively without Jordan Davis and Richard LeCounte on the field in recent weeks. Georgia doesn’t look effective against the run, while the secondary struggles to contain repeated pick plays. These problems and concerns can only be worked out through experience and practice.
Continuing to give the youth a chance in the games ahead will help the Dawgs in the long run, not only on defense but also for the team. With another appearance potential in a New Year’s Six Bowl game, we will likely see NFL talent opt-out of the bowl game to begin draft preparation.
There is still lots to work on before the Dawgs can work towards competing for a National Championship in 2021. A strong finish to this season could provide the much-needed springboard into next season.