Peach Bowl Will Serve as a Test for Georgia's Offense
In years past, Georgia has heavily relied on the defense to help them out when it comes time for a bowl game or big regular-season game. New Years Day’s afternoon contest between Georgia and Cincinnati could turn a page for the Georgia Bulldogs.
So far, the Dawgs have reportedly nine players who have decided to opt-out of the bowl game in route to the NFL Draft. The majority of the players that will choose to skip out on the bowl game will see many defensive starters opt to miss the bowl game.
Georgia is expected to miss 11 former starters when they met the Bearcats in Atlanta. Azeez Ojulari was the latest starter to announce his departure from Athens as he will likely be a high draft pick in the NFL Draft.
Without players like Richard LeCounte, Azeez Ojulari, Eric Stokes, and Monty Rice expected to miss out on the trip to Atlanta. The Dawgs will field a young defense.
Georgia is no stranger to this situation as Georgia dealt with bowl season absences each of the last two seasons. A younger defense presided over the Sugar Bowl loss to Texas at the end of the 2018-19 season. In contrast, 14 players were missing last season in the win over Baylor in the Sugar Bowl.
Florida sealed Georgia’s fate in contention for the CFP in the mid-season clash between the rivals that saw the Gators come away victorious for the first time in 4 years.
Even after the disappointing loss, the Dawgs’ play indicated that the team was committed to finishing the season.
JT Daniels’ addition to the offense spurred an offensive explosion in wins over Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Missouri.
The extra offensive production helped the attrition filled Georgia defense. Georgia’s defense has been through an injured riddled season. Multiple starters dealt with injuries throughout the season that forced the introduction of younger players.
The immersion of Jalen Carter, Adam Anderson, Quay Walker, and Christopher Smith points towards a bright future on defense.
The Dawgs front seven was a significant factor in the Georgia defense’s success in the past two seasons as creating havoc in the opposing backfield was a theme. Replacing stars like Malik Herring, Azeez Ojulari, and Monty Rice will be critical. At the same time, trying to keep others like Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt.
While the statistical improvement of the Georgia offense since JT Daniels is undeniable. A significant critique of success is the lack of a “quality opponent.”
Cincinnati is rated as the eight-team in the CFP rankings, Georgia is just one spot below the Bearcats. This game is termed a “Super Bowl” for Cincinnati and will have heightened stakes for the Bearcats.
With many starters opting out of the game, the question will always be, how much does Georgia want it? Will mistakes of the past creep up on the Dawgs once again? Those questions remain as we inch closer to gameday.
With a younger defense in Atlanta on January 1st, 2021, the Georgia offense will have its first test of the new season. It has often been the defense winning games for Georgia. Now with an explosive passing game and reliable running game, can the Dawgs offense carry the defense?