Kirby Smart (HC) – Everyone knows that this isn’t the most favorable situation to be in, but it’s reality nonetheless, and it’s a reality that head coach Kirby Smart is going to approach with the utmost importance. At this point, we know that Kirby Smart is an incredible leader of men and are aware of his ability to get his guys behind a cause. That’s just what will need to happen in Miami. This is Smart’s chance to usher in a team of Dawgs hungry to write their own story and chase their own championship. That story starts now. Smart knows it. The team knows it. And it’s the Florida State Seminoles that wound up being the unlucky bunch that’ll take a punch from what should be a youthful and inspired Georgia Bulldogs team.
Carson Beck (QB #15) – The biggest doubt surrounding Carson Beck coming into this season questioned how he would fare succeeding a two-time national champion quarterback in Stetson Bennett after riding three years on the bench, and to the surprise of many, he’s gone above and beyond expectations, just falling short of a three-peat with the Alabama loss in the SEC Championship just a couple of weeks ago. Now, all signs are pointing to him returning for his fifth year in hopes of bringing the Dawgs back to the CFP and doing what he couldn’t this year: win a ring. The 2024 season is still a good way away, but it all starts in Miami at the Orange Bowl, where fans will see Beck play with a much different group of Dawgs – a group that will more or less look like Georgia’s 2024 team. The 2024 season starts now for Carson Beck.
Dillon Bell (WR #86) – With names like Ladd McConkey, Brock Bowers, and Dominic Lovett still having yet to announce their decisions on whether or not they’ll play against Florida State in this upcoming Orange Bowl, coupled with the fact that Georgia will want to get the guys they expect to play in 2024 some extra experience, sophomore receiver, running back, and overall offensive weapon Dillon Bell should definitely expect a good bit of playing time coming his way. Being the team’s third most productive runner and sixth most productive pass catcher creates plenty of opportunities for him to contribute. It’s all just a matter of how with this guy.
Earnest Greene III (OL #71) – When Amarious Mims suffered an injury that kept him out most of the SEC Championship, and considering his first-round potential if he were to submit his name to the 2024 NFL Draft, it’s easy to deduce that Mims is more than likely not going to play in Miami. This leaves redshirt freshman Earnest Greene III as Georgia’s next premier lineman, protecting Carson Beck and giving him time to do what he does best: process. Greene and the rest of the offensive line have less than a month to regroup after Mims’ loss. After seeing how Alabama was able to get to Beck and disrupt plays, they should be coming into Miami wanting to re-assert themselves as the nation’s best offensive line group and deserving of the acclaimed Joe Moore Award.
C.J. Allen (LB #33) – Before anything, C.J. Allen’s snubbing from the 2023 All-SEC Freshman Team has to be acknowledged. Allen has done nothing but stun both his coaches and Dawg Nation after stepping up in Jamon Dumas-Johnson’s absence. A former two-way player and track star for Lamar County Comprehensive High School, Allen’s athleticism has helped him rack up 35 tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection in just five games this season. He’s already taken on a big role in this defense. Admittedly, it’s one that he doesn’t completely shoulder; he splits up some of the reps with fellow true freshman Raylen Wilson. But don’t sleep on No. 33. He’s bound to put on a show once the Dawgs hit the field at Hard Rock in Miami.
Jalon Walker (LB #11) – Without almost any question, Jalon Walker is the team’s best pass rusher. His and the coaching staff’s intent, having recruited him to play inside backer and then resorting to putting him on the edge after Nolan Smith’s injury last year, has accidentally provided Georgia with a guy who reminds of a more explosive Azeez Ojulari. The fact that Walker has the most sacks, with five, on the team speaks to that. Even losing Jamon Dumas-Johnson didn’t move him back to his original inside linebacker position. Instead, true freshmen C.J. Allen and Raylen Wilson were called up, and Walker was practically unmoved because he’s that disruptive at edge. With Travis Jordan out of the game, Walker should easily disrupt whatever inexperienced quarterback Florida State trots out onto the field.
Malaki Starks (DB #24) – All-American safety Malaki Starks is in a situation similar to wide receiver Dillon Bell heading into this Orange Bowl. With multiple key players in the secondary—Javon Bullard, Kamari Lassiter, and Tykee Smith—still having yet to announce whether or not they’re foregoing the game for the NFL Draft, Starks could potentially bear a lot of responsibility leading that defensive backfield. Is he up for the task? We’ll see come game day. But even if he does wind up as the main guy out there, he’ll be more than ready for the challenge. FSU will field a second or third-string quarterback depending on health, so that’ll more than likely make things a bit easier for Starks. Experience is going to give Starks all the upper hand he needs to take on a wounded and spiteful Seminole team.
In Georgia’s 26-13 Sugar Bowl victory over Florida State on 1/1/03, the big play was delivered by Bruce Thronton, who returned a pick 71-yards for a TD to give the Dogs a 10-7 lead.
The Bulldogs of 1959 won the Southeastern Conference championship – along with a victory over Florida State – and then beat Missouri in the Orange Bowl to finish the season 10-1.
Stetson Bennett was the Most Valuable Player of Georgia’s Orange Bowl victory over Michigan in the 2021 CFP semifinal, throwing for three touchdowns in the Bulldogs 34-11 triumph.