Georgia Bulldogs struggles against Georgia Tech could have major impact on their College Football Playoff seeding

Georgia QB Gunner Stockton and offensive problems nearly cost the Bulldogs, but the defense came through for Kirby Smart

Travis May — College Football Managing Editor
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The Georgia Bulldogs won in spectacularly ugly fashion over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Friday in the “Clean Old Fashioned Hate” rivalry game. Kirby Smart and company had seemingly fixed a lot of the issues that plagued their Bulldogs earlier in the season over the course of the past several weeks, but major problems reared their ugly head once again. Now, the College Football Playoff committee might have the ammunition they need to punish Georgia with a worse seed, perhaps getting rid of their first round bye because of it.

Georgia Bulldogs may not earn first round bye in the playoff after Georgia Tech game

There’s no way to say it nicely. Gunner Stockton played absolutely terrible against Georgia Tech. He had been on a roll, scoring 15 touchdowns in a four-week span prior to coasting to victory last week against Charlotte. Stockton had made some incredible plays with his legs and his arm, looking like a true field general for the Bulldogs in the back half of this season. However, for some reason, that version of him disappeared on Friday.

Stockton reverted to his old self that struggled to see the field well, looking panicked at times, inaccurate, and indecisive when it came choosing to run or pass. He would sometimes pull the ball down far too soon and run. Other times he would hold it too long, then ultimately throw the ball where it doesn’t need to go. The best example of this came on his interception where he easily could have run for a huge gain, but instead turned the ball over (as you can see in the post below).

Kirby Smart must figure out how to get Gunner Stockton back on track, because if the offense isn’t fixed, the good playoff teams are going to be able to put up more than 16 points.

Luckily, Nate Frazier still looked good at running back. Zachariah Branch looked shifty and quick as he led the team in receiving. Unfortunately, the rest of the offense looked disjointed and lost. Those struggles might cost Georgia now. Now that Texas A&M has lost, Georgia will be headed to Atlanta to play in the SEC Championship Game, but they’re going to have to take advantage of that opportunity. If their offense looks just as lost in that game, and they ultimately lose that battle, there’s no telling what the playoff committee will do, and how far they’ll drop the Bulldogs.

Georgia Bulldogs emerging defense might save Kirby Smart in the playoff

The one redeeming takeaway from the 16-9 win over Georgia Tech on Friday was the continued defensive development. Yes, the Bulldogs still only logged on sack — an area where they have failed mightily this season. However, they only gave up 250 yards on the entire game. The run defense was lights out, allowing just three yards per carry. The passing defense only really gave up two plays for the entire game too (one to Isiah Canion, the other to Brett Seither). And Christen Miller was finally looking like the potential first round talent Georgia always knew they had, making plays, even when he wasn’t the one finishing them.

If Georgia’s defense continues to emerge as the dominant unit fans are used to seeing that might be what ends up saving Kirby Smart and company in the College Football Playoff. However, it’s going to take both sides of the ball if they want to win the SEC Championship Game and a national title once again. Hopefully Stockton and the offense bounces back, and soon.

We’ll be back with more Georgia Bulldogs coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

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