The Dawgs prevailed through another challenging week of SEC play, this time in Jacksonville against the Florida Gators by a score of 34-20. While it certainly wasn’t the best game we’ve seen, this game is often an ugly slugfest for 60 minutes. DJ Lagway and the Gators scored the first touchdown of the game moments after Beck’s first turnover. Bulldog fans throughout the stadium were shocked to see their team trailing by seven at halftime. The momentum would shift fully towards Georgia after freshman running back Nate Frazier scored a touchdown to tie the game at 13. In classic Georgia-Florida fashion, a botched Florida field goal led to another touchdown, this time by Cash Jones. Though the scoreboard shows a 14 point victory for the Bulldogs, the game played a lot closer. As much as it stings to say, some credit should go towards Florida for playing through their many key injuries and making the game very interesting. That team is a lot better than people think, and this was very much a trap game that could have gone the other way.

    Though he threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, we can’t help but highlight the issue that has been Carson Beck’s turnovers. Yes, the Dawgs pulled through for another victory. However, he has thrown two or more interceptions in four of his last five games. Could it have been nerves returning to his hometown? Possibly. We know that Beck has the potential to be one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, but he has just not been himself over the past few weeks. With that being said, he will need to find a way to take better care of the ball if this team wants to make it all the way. Everyone wants to see him be successful, so support is all we can give.

    As fans grow in their quarterback concern, just know that Coach Smart continues to believe in his ability. In his postgame press conference, Smart harped on Beck’s ability to get the Dawgs out of a tricky situation with their backs against the wall. With a tied game on third down, Beck was able to connect with Arian Smith for a huge gain. Georgia eventually took the lead on this drive and would go on to score once more after CJ Allen’s interception. Beck gives the Dawgs the best chance to win, and he’s certainly shown flashes of that this year.

    Georgia now travels to Oxford, Mississippi for a matchup with Lane Kiffin’s Rebels. Ole Miss currently sits at No. 19 in the AP Poll, and will likely move up after defeating a solid Arkansas team 63-31. Quarterback Jaxson Dart, a potential Heisman candidate, threw for over 500 yards and six touchdowns in the blowout victory. Smart and Co. have a lot of work to do in the upcoming days to slow down one of the nation’s best offensive attacks. As for Kiffin, his team is holding onto their postseason hopes with losses to Kentucky and LSU sitting on their resume. An upset victory against the Bulldogs will certainly go a long way in ensuring that the Rebels have a seat at the table when the College Football Playoff Committee crafts their playoff bracket.

Hot take of the week:

    While the unfortunate injury of Trevor Etienne stopped our Hot Take of the Week from coming true, our hot take involves the Junkyard Dawgs as a whole. We’re predicting that the Georgia defense holds Ole Miss to less than 20 points. After holding Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns to just 15, a few turnovers here and there could result in Ole Miss having a similar result. We think Coach Schumann and his players will dial up another great scheme, putting pressure on the Rebels’ talented quarterback. We feel that this is one of the most talented and dangerous defensive units in recent memory. The way that this Bulldog defense has been dominating us to believe that Dart’s offense will have trouble moving the ball against the Dawgs.