Los Angeles, CA – The Georgia football team held it’s second practice out in California on Thursday at the Stub Hub Center as the Bulldogs continue to prepare for their New Year’s Day Rose Bowl College Football Playoff Semifinal game matchup with the No. 2 ranked Oklahoma Sooners.

 

The third-seeded Bulldogs worked out for 90 minutes in full pads as temperatures climbed into the upper 70s under beautiful, clear skies.

Georgia arrived in Los Angeles Tuesday evening following a brief break for the holidays. Along with the Thursday early afternoon practice, the team visited the Hollywood Improv comedy club and players also had the opportunity to visit the historic Santa Monica Pier later in the day.

Georgia offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, along with the senior running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, senior offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn, senior tight end Jeb Blazevich and freshman quarterback Jake Fromm participated in an official press conference for the offense at The L.A. Hotel Downtown on Thursday morning.

The Bulldogs have made an improvement from 8-5 in 2016 to 12-1 currently in 2017. Blazevich believes this squad has grown from last year.

“Last year we had a completely different team and everything was new,” said Blazevich. “I think a billion little things added up this year. You have to look at the whole body of work and think that if we didn’t attack the offseason like we did, if we didn’t attack spring ball like we did, if we didn’t decide on the days when we didn’t feel like working out to go ahead and do it, then things might have been different.

“Those days and situations are where you decide what your team is made of. Throughout the whole course of this season, guys have made the right decision to say that regardless of how I feel, I am going to do decide to do what I need to do.”

Georgia has been powered by Chubb and Michel, who have combined for 2,123 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns, on the ground this season. Wynn and junior Lamont Gaillard were the only returners on this year’s offensive line and Wynn said his unit and the running backs build off of each other.

“It’s a give-and-take situation where we as an offensive line try and make them look good and they as running backs try to make us look good,” Wynn said. “It’s an enjoyable experience knowing that we not only have (Chubb and Michel) back there, but also stable of young guys back there eager to run the ball.”

This marks the Bulldogs’ first time advancing to the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014. Chubb said the concentration of his team is the next opponent in line, not the build up for the next game or location of its next contest.

“We didn’t really say it or talk about (the Playoff), we just worked towards it,” said Chubb. “We try and not think about or talk about being in the Playoff and trying to get to the national championship so we don’t let our minds wander too far ahead. We have to worry about today. Coach (Kirby) Smart has done a good job giving us that mindset.”

Friday’s schedule will feature a morning press conference involving Bulldog defensive coordinator Mel Tucker and five Bulldogs from the defense – Roquan Smith, Jonathan Ledbetter, John Atkins, J.R. Reed and Lorenzo Carter – at the Rose Bowl Game media hotel. The team will hold an afternoon practice at the Stub Hub Center and then enjoy the annual Lawry’s Beef Bowl at Lawry’s Restaurant.

Georgia will have daily practices through Saturday before a final walk through on Sunday. Kickoff for the Georgia-Oklahoma Rose Bowl Game will be Monday, Jan. 1 at 5:00 p.m. ET and be televised live by ESPN.