Kirby Smart (Head Coach) – Kirby Smart is on a tear, and he’s not resting until he’s on the stage come January 9 in Los Angeles. Immediately after winning the SEC Championship title, he was back on the recruiting trail flying across the country to close the deal with various high school seniors. Once he touches back down in Athens, it’s straight back to choppin’ wood because out of the three teams Georgia could have faced in the CFP Semi-Final, Ohio State is arguably the most daunting. Kirby and his crew will need to take out all the stops to put a lid on C.J. Stroud and the Buckeye offense. Expect it to be an emotional night as Smart looks to extend what has already been a historic season.
Stetson Bennett (QB #13) – Immediately after beating LSU in the SEC Championship, Stetson Bennett told the media that the national championship was the next goal. Ohio State is just an obstacle to that goal, a really tough obstacle at that. But Bennett has the Benz advantage over the Buckeyes. He’s thrown 48 for 60 for 642 yards and is responsible for seven touchdowns in his two games there this year. Bennett had his fair share of haters, but there’s not much that can be said about that kind of production. Georgia’s favorite super senior is primed and set to drop the ball in Atlanta on New Year’s Eve.
Brock Bowers (TE #19) – Brock Bowers is the most electric player on the Georgia offense. Point, blank, period. Admittedly Bowers has been on and off throughout the season, but when he’s on, he’s on. The Mackey Award winning tight end has had two games with over 120 receiving yards. Against LSU in the SEC title game he caught 6 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. That’s the Brock Bowers that the Dawgs are going to need to keep up with Ohio State’s CJ Stroud and Marvin Harrison. This one could end up being a shootout, and if it is Bowers better be ready for his name to be called.
Ladd McConkey (WR #84) – There was some worry surrounding Ladd McConkey’s health after he was pulled from the SEC Championship game, but that move seemed more precautionary than out of actual necessity. The third-year wideout should be fine by the time New Year’s Eve. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken will be counting on it. McConkey is a key cog in Georgia’s offensive machine. His versatility in the pass and ground game gives Monken options that they wouldn’t have otherwise. McConkey’s averages of 13.2 yards per catch and 20 per carry will be essential when the Dawgs face the Buckeyes in the Benz.
Jalen Carter (DL #88) – Two words describe Jalen Carter’s impact: difference maker. He and CJ Stroud should be well-acquainted on game day, but by no means will they be friends. In his limited time Carter has amassed three sacks, the most impressive of which came against LSU when Carter slipped into the backfield and lifted his victim up with just one arm. Now that kind of display isn’t guaranteed, but if money is on the line, betting on a projected top-5 NFL Draft pick in Jalen Carter, isn’t a bad bet.
Chris Smith (DB #29) – A lot of times the linebacker is referred to as the “quarterback of the defense,” but at Georgia that leadership role falls upon the shoulders of fifth-year senior Chris Smith. They say big players make big plays in big moments and that’s just how Smith played against LSU. In the SEC title game he ran a blocked field goal back 96 yards for a touchdown, caught an interception and made multiple tackles.. The Dawgs will obviously need Smith to bring this production into the Peach Bowl, and there’s no reason to doubt that he will. Chris Smith is the cornerstone of the 2022 Georgia defense. The world will be reminded of that come New Year’s Eve.
When Georgia defeated the Buckeyes 21-14 on New Year’s Day 1993 to win the Florida Citrus Bowl, All-American tailback Garrison Hearst scored two TDs and was the MVP of the game..
Georgia defeated the University of Cincinnati Bearcats 24-21 in the Chick-Fil-A Peach on New Year’s Day 2021, with Jack Podlesny hitting the go-ahead field goal in the closing seconds.
In Kirby Smart’s final game as a player for Georgia, the Bulldogs defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 35-33 in the Peach Bowl, rallying back from a 21-0 first half deficit.