Since taking over in 2016, head coach Kirby Smart has transformed the Georgia Bulldogs into a dominant force in college football, winning back-to-back national championships and currently riding a 22-game winning streak. After a close victory against unranked Auburn, Georgia’s grip on the top spot in the Associated Press Top 25 has begun to loosen. Their first-place votes dropped to 35, down from 55 the previous week. This has led to speculation that Georgia is not as strong as they have been in the past.
Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt described the Bulldogs as a “shell of what they were in the past,” while Tim Brando of Fox Sports ranked them at No. 6 in his top 10 after Week 5. Former Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley believes that the team’s past dominance, strong recruiting classes, and slow starts have contributed to the skepticism surrounding this year’s squad.
According to Shockley, “Georgia is still one of the top teams in the country. But I think they’re being judged based on their performance in the last two years, which is unfair because every team is different.” He also highlighted the scrutiny over Georgia’s schedule, which has been labeled as “soft” despite their status as the top-ranked team. Shockley believes that this perception puts additional pressure on the Bulldogs to win convincingly.
Georgia’s offense has undergone significant changes this year with quarterback Carson Beck taking over the helm and Mike Bobo now calling the plays. These changes have resulted in slow starts for the Bulldogs, who have only scored 17 first-quarter points in five games. However, despite their struggles, Georgia managed to come back and secure a 27-20 victory against Auburn, a game Shockley described as always being a struggle, especially when played on the road.
Looking ahead, Shockley believes that Georgia’s close wins against Auburn and South Carolina have allowed head coach Kirby Smart to assess his team’s performance in tight situations and identify the players he can rely on. The Bulldogs now face a challenging matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats, who are 5-0 and coming off an impressive win over No. 22 Florida. The Wildcats boast a strong rushing attack led by running back Ray Davis, who poses a significant threat to Georgia’s run defense.
Despite Kentucky’s recent success, Georgia has historically dominated this matchup, winning 13 straight games against the Wildcats. However, Shockley anticipates a physical battle at the line of scrimmage and believes that the team that can establish dominance upfront will come out on top. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET in Athens.
Joe Morgan is a Sports Reporter for Fox News.
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