Notre Dame continues their journey to a National Championship on New Year’s Day at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, against a team that has won two of the last three national titles, the Georgia Bulldogs. We preview the SEC Champs’ offense here:
Photo by The Irish Tribune
This Georgia offense features at least eight potential 2025 NFL Draftees, most notably right guard Tate Ratledge, who is easily top-three at his position among other prospects. The Bulldogs’ pass-heavy approach has not always been the greatest, however, they are SEC Champions for a reason. Here is how Georgia has fared this season:
vs Clemson (in Atlanta, 34-3, Win)
vs Tennessee Tech (48-3, Win)
at Kentucky (13-12, Win)
at Alabama (34-41, Loss)
vs Auburn (31-13, Win)
vs Mississippi State (41-31, Win)
at Texas (30-15, Win)
at Florida (in Jacksonville, 34-20, Win)
at Ole Miss (10-28, Loss)
vs Tennessee (31-17, Win)
vs UMass (59-21, Win)
vs Georgia Tech (44-42, 8OT Win)
vs Texas (SEC Championship in Atlanta, 22-19, Win)
For their season, Georgia averages 33.2 points per game, fifth-most in the SEC and 29th among all FBS teams. In addition, they average 413.8 total yards per game, which is the eighth-most in the conference and 47th in the country.
The Bulldogs find most of their success in the red zone, featuring an elite unit. 93.1% of their trips inside the 20 end up with a score, the best percentage in the SEC, and tied for the fourth-best in the country. On the other side, Notre Dame also features a top-ten red zone defense, only allowing their opponents to score on 73.3% of their red zone trips.
Another aspect that the Bulldogs have success with is on fourth down. They have converted 18/24 (75%) attempts, tied for the seventh-best percentage in the country. Conversely, the Notre Dame defense has been great in these situations, holding opponents to just a 34.3% conversion rate, the sixth-lowest percentage in the country.
Georgia utilizes a pass-heavy offense that will be without their starting quarterback, Carson Beck. The redshirt senior underwent season-ending elbow surgery after suffering a UCL injury in the SEC Championship, forcing the Bulldogs to turn to redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton. Georgia averages 284.6 pass yards per game, the third-most in the SEC and 12th among all FBS teams. However, their 13 interceptions are tied for the second-most in the SEC. It is uncertain how well Stockton will lead this offense, but we preview the key players involved in the passing game:
As just mentioned, Gunner Stockton is expected to be making his first collegiate start of his career. In limited playing time, Stockton has completed 37/51 (72.5%) pass attempts for 354 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. The redshirt sophomore has appeared in three games this season including the conference championship following Beck’s injury; here is how he has performed:
vs Tennessee Tech - 10/12 for 90 yards
vs UMass - 3/4 for 45 yards
vs Texas (SEC Championship) - 12/16 for 71 yards and an interception
In my opinion, Stockton’s inexperience will play a large role in the Sugar Bowl. The offense was not performing up to the “Georgia standard” with Beck, and it is hard to imagine they can turn it around in one game with a backup. This is even more true against a top-15 Notre Dame pass defense, adding in the natural pressure of a playoff game. Bulldogs fans hope Stockton is the next Georgia legend, but other than his accuracy, he has yet to show it.
One of the Bulldogs’ top receivers is senior Arian Smith. The wideout is experiencing a breakout season, after playing a limited role on the ‘21 and ‘22 National Championship teams. This year, Smith has 47 receptions for 750 yards (leads team) and four touchdowns. He has at least one catch in each game, including a season-high of six at Alabama when he recorded 132 yards and a touchdown. Smith has three games with over 100 receiving yards, including a season-high of 134 on five receptions including a touchdown versus Mississippi St. The senior has struggled with drops this season with ten drops on 71 targets. In addition, he had a fumble versus Tennessee. As you will see, these drop issues are a common theme in the Georgia receiver room.
Another starting receiver for the Bulldogs is senior slot man Dominic Lovett. The former Missouri transfer entered this season with 110 receptions for 1,459 yards and seven touchdowns in 26 games played across the last two years in Columbia and Athens. This season, Lovett leads the team in receptions (56) and receiving touchdowns (6) with 571 yards. He has at least three catches in each game including a season-high of seven for 52 yards and a touchdown versus Florida. The senior recorded a season-high 89 receiving yards on six receptions at Kentucky. Lovett will be looking to rebound off his worst performance of the season in the SEC Championship when he had three catches for zero yards. He is a reliable option for whoever is quarterback, with five drops on 87 targets. Lovett also has two fumbles this season. While he may not be the most productive receiver, he is, again, a reliable one.
Junior wideout Dillon Bell is another passing-game option for the Bulldogs. Before this season, Bell played a limited role on the ‘22 National Championship team, and last year he recorded 29 receptions for 355 yards and two touchdowns. The junior is having a career-best season this year with 37 catches for 443 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games played. Bell missed Georgia’s contest versus UMass. He has at least one catch in 11 games, including a season-high five receptions for 100 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown at Alabama. Like Lovett, Bell’s worst performance of the season occurred in the SEC Championship, when he finished with no catches on two targets including a drop. Overall, Bell has been solid this season with five drops on 64 targets.
The final true wide receiver to highlight is sophomore London Humphreys. The Vanderbilt transfer recorded 22 receptions for 439 yards and four touchdowns last season. Additionally, he was named to the SEC All-Freshman team before transferring to Georgia. In 12 games played this season, Humphreys has 15 catches for 244 yards and two touchdowns. He missed the Alabama game due to an illness. The sophomore has at least one reception in seven games, including a season-high three catches for 63 yards versus Tennessee. Humphreys has been held to zero targets three times this season, including in the SEC Championship. The former Commodore is a solid receiver with two drops on 26 targets. He will not beat the defense over the top, however, he is a threat when he has the ball in his hands with 128 yards after catch this season.
The Bulldogs feature a trio of talented tight ends, most notably Lawson Luckie and Oscar Delp. Luckie is a sophomore with 24 receptions for 348 yards and three touchdowns this season. He has at least one reception in 12 games, including a season-high four catches for 60 yards versus UMass. Overall, Luckie is an average tight end; he is a solid receiving option (no drops on 34 targets) and pass blocker, however, he has struggled in run-blocking situations.
Junior Oscar Delp is the more experienced tight end. He played in a reserved role on the ‘22 National Championship team, and last season he recorded 24 receptions for 284 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games played. This year, Delp has 19 catches for 230 yards and four touchdowns. The junior has at least one reception in nine games including a season-high four receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns versus Tennessee. Like Luckie, Delp is a solid receiving option with just one drop on 28 targets, but he struggles as a blocker.
Georgia’s best receiving back is redshirt junior Cash Jones. In my opinion, the two-time National Champ is a better receiver than a running back. Jones has 22 receptions for 238 yards and three touchdowns this season. He has at least one reception in ten games including a season-high four receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown versus Georgia Tech. Jones is a reliable, short-yardage option for whoever is quarterback with just one drop on 26 targets.
The Bulldogs feature a solid, but underutilized, rushing attack with a duo of talented backs. It would not be surprising if Georgia tries to rush more in the Sugar Bowl, given they will be without their starting quarterback. Their 129.2 rush yards per game are the second-fewest in the SEC, however, their 24 rushing scores are tied for the sixth-most and their 4.2 yards per carry ranks tenth in the conference. We preview the combination of Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier below:
Etienne, a junior, is the more talented runner of the two. The Florida transfer totaled 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns on 249 carries in 24 games played during his time as a Gator. In Etienne’s first season at Georgia, he has rushed for 571 yards and nine touchdowns on 111 carries in nine games played. The Third Team All-SEC selection missed the last few weeks of the regular season with a rib injury before returning for the conference championship. In the SEC Championship versus Texas, Etienne rushed for a season-high 94 yards on 16 carries including two touchdowns. During Georgia’s first contest at Texas this season, the junior rusher recorded a season-high three rushing touchdowns on 19 carries for 87 yards. Overall, Etienne is one of the more talented rushers in the SEC with 390 yards after contact, 25 missed tackles forced, and one fumble, and he is a capable pass-blocker given his 5-9, 205-pound frame.
Etienne’s primary backup is freshman Nate Frazier. The former four-star recruit was an All-American at powerhouse, Mater Dei. The freshman has rushed for 634 yards and eight touchdowns on 129 carries in 12 games played this season. He did not play versus Alabama. The SEC All-Freshman Team honoree has recorded five games with 50-plus rushing yards including a season-high of 136 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries versus UMass. Frazier is a good runner with loads of potential, however, he does have three fumbles this season including one in the SEC Championship so that needs to be cleaned up to give Georgia their best shot at a National Championship.
On the line, Georgia’s strength is their interior as they feature three All-SEC players at the center and both guard positions. The Bulldogs’ 4.46 tackles for loss per game allowed are the fourth-fewest in the SEC. Let’s highlight these all-conference performers:
The starting left guard is redshirt junior Dylan Fairchild. He is a returning starter from last season and was named to the Second Team All-SEC this year. Fairchild is a great pass blocker who has allowed just ten pressures on 499 pass snaps this season. Additionally, he only has three penalties called against him in the year.
In the middle is redshirt junior center Jared Wilson. This season, he has played in 11 games after missing two contests with a foot injury. The Second Team All-SEC selection is another great pass blocker who has allowed just five pressures on 470 pass-block snaps this season. In addition, Wilson is a good run blocker and, like Fairchild, has just three penalties called against him this year.
The final player to highlight is, arguably, the most ‘complete’ player on this team. Starting right guard Tate Ratledge is a senior who entered this season with 28 starts across the past two seasons. Last year, he was named an AP Second Team All-American and First Team All-SEC. This season, Ratledge has played in nine games and missed three contests with an ankle injury. He was, again, named to the First Team All-SEC this year. Like Fairchild and Wilson, Ratledge excels in pass protection, with just four pressures allowed on 270 pass snaps this season. He is also a good run blocker and has just one penalty against him this year.
How well Gunner Stockton plays could end up being the reason Georgia wins or loses this game. The amount of pressure being placed on this inexperienced backup is hard to transcend for anyone, let alone a young college student making his first career start in the biggest game of his team’s season. Another key will be how Notre Dame’s interior performs versus this talented offensive line without defensive tackle Rylie Mills. If the Irish pass rush gets going, it should be a long night for Stockton and the Bulldogs. The winner of this matchup earns a date with Penn State or Boise State in the Orange Bowl on January 9th.
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