We are all for not repeating effort in the parts, and with Alabama going for a rematch with Georgia only 2 months after their last win, there isn’t a whole lot that’s changed. Mike Bobo is still the offensive coordinator, and he’s still making Georgia fans mad more often than not despite generally trotting out a competent offense.
One big difference from where the Dawgs were earlier in the season is that QB Gunner Stockton has been given a lot more trust and he’s pushing the ball down the field a bit more. The entire offense is a bit less reliant on WR screen passes, and Stockton’s average depth of target has increased up from 5.5 yards to 7.4 yards.
Interestingly, the passing game has almost totally zeroed in on slot man Zachariah Branch. He’s got 691 yards on 68 catches – and 533 of those yards have come after the catch. He’s accounting for 24% of the Dogs’ target share this season.
The Dogs are missing their 2nd wideout, Colbie Young, who fractured his leg back in October. Since then, London Humphries and Dillon Bell have continued to be serviceable pass catchers, while 6’5” A&M transfer, Noah Thomas, has seen his snap count and target share increase drastically since Young’s injury.
In the running game, Nate Frazier remains the #1 RB with Chauncey Bowens as the change-of-pace #2. Bowens missed time with injury last week, but seems like he’ll be back for the championship game. He was also the guy that busted off multiple big runs against Alabama. Bowens and Frazier and both averaging over 5 yards per carry on the season. On top of that, Josh McCray is still the short-yardage fullback hybrid player, and Cash Jones is the receiving/pass blocking back.
And, of course, Gunner Stockton is major part of the rushing attack with 96 carries for 449 yards from his QB spot. Only half of those carries are scrambles, so UGA regularly has designed runs for him as well.
The big problem for UGA this week is that their OL is a bit beat up. Center Drew Bobo is hobbled with a foot injury and is questionable, with Malachi Toliver set to play in his stead. Toliver has been a solid pass blocker but struggled in the run game, and also had an issue with repeated high snaps when pressed into action last week.
Tackle Earnest Greene has also struggled with injury, though that’s been the case all year, and Juan Gaston has gotten more playing time at this point anyway.
Last time around, Alabama held the Bulldogs to only 21 points. The Tide defense almost totally shutdown the Georgia passing attack, but they did struggle to contain Chancey Bowens, who set up two of UGAs scores with big off tackle runs (and Dillon Bell set up the other on a WR end around). Alabama also managed to get the one huge stop when UGA went with a hurry up QB read option to Cash Jones on 4th down for some reason, rather than taking a field goal that would have tied the game.
In round 2, you have to think there will be some changes. Alabama’s defense has gotten much more sound with setting edges in the run game, especially after getting Dijon Lee in at corner. On the other hand, Stockton has gotten a lot more comfortable as a passer, and expecting another dismal 130 yard performance from him probably isn’t realistic.
I think Georgia plays a little more clean, but Alabama doesn’t bust as many huge runs. Ultimately, the Dogs score 26 points in a field goal fest.
