The 2023 Georgia Bulldog football team has yet to dominate for four quarters which is something we have grown accustomed to seeing over the past couple years. Regardless, it is apparent that Georgia has the talent necessary in the locker room; it is just a matter of putting together a complete performance. While assessing the Bulldogs performances over the first three weeks, there are three position groups that the Bulldogs will need more consistency out of if they hope to threepeat.
The defensive line at the University of Georgia has become a NFL machine over the previous few seasons. In the past two NFL drafts, Georgia has produced 5 first round draft picks for just the defensive line. This season, the Bulldogs are relying on an interior defensive line with no apparent superstar, at least for now. Zion Logue spoke to the media on Tuesday and mentioned that he was “sick” when hearing that Georgia was ranked fifth in the SEC in rushing defense – a statistic that Georgia has dominated over the past couple seasons. Georgia showed glimpses, especially late in the game against South Carolina, of what their interior D-line pass rush is capable of doing, but the Bulldogs will need to perform that way on a consistent basis if they intend to conquer their post season aspirations.
Georgia has also faced challenges at the kicker position – a problem that has been foreign to Coach Kirby Smart since arriving in Athens. Jack Podlesny and Rodrigo Blankenship have been a model of consistency ever since the 2016 season, yet the most appropriate way to describe the 2023 Bulldog kicking position has to be inconsistent. Freshman Peyton Woodring won the job entering the season but has gone just 4/7 in three weeks. That also includes two misses from inside of 30 yards. Coach Smart, of all people, understands the significance of dominating special teams which is something the Bulldogs are failing to do at the moment.
A final position group that Georgia seeks to develop consistency at is wide receiver. Georgia, on paper, has one of the most talented wideout rooms in the country, accompanied by the best tight end in the nation. However, Carson Beck and the Bulldog passing game have had just moderate success through the air through three weeks. In fact, just two Bulldog receivers have caught a touchdown this season. There are various circumstances permitting that have led to the limited passing game such as playcalling, injuries, and inexperience, but against three unranked opponents, it is fair to say that more is expected from such a talented group. This weekend, the Bulldogs have a golden opportunity to develop a consistent passing attack before a difficult road test against Auburn.
There is no denying that there is more to the 2023 Bulldog team than we have seen so far; regardless, it feels as if it is just a waiting game at this point to see when the Bulldogs dominate for four full quarters. This team has flaws, just like every other team in the country does, but no other team in college football has more experience in critical moments and big games than the Georgia Bulldogs do in recent years. Remain patient Bulldog fans. This team is special, and they look to prove it this weekend, under the lights, in Athens.