Stetson Bennett has been unconscious this season. For the first time in his playing career, the Georgia quarterback has been receiving not backlash but hype. It makes sense. The almost 25-year-old has completed 73.9% of his passes while throwing for 952 yards and 5 touchdowns. On top of that, he has added 31 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. By the way, this has been accomplished without playing a minute in a fourth quarter through three games. People unfamiliar with Georgia’s program seem confused about why this is happening. While there are numerous factors contributing to Stetson’s success this season, it boils down to one specific character trait that is often undervalued – his confidence.

Stetson, for the first time in his lengthy college career, came into camp as the unquestioned starter. This meant that, for the first time, he could take reps as the number one quarterback during spring and fall camp. The offensive scheme is centered around his strengths as a dual-threat, mobile quarterback who is accurate with the football. No longer is he asked to run an offense that is not explicitly designed for him as the unquestioned QB1 of this team. When you put on the film, it is evident how in sync he is with his wide receivers, how he trusts the offensive line and the pocket, and how much faith the coaching staff places in him.

Historically, teams that win national championships are led by elite quarterback play. Stetson Bennett, when it mattered most last year, was an elite quarterback. This season, Stetson has confidence, poise, and determination coursing through his veins, epitomizing what this Georgia team represents. We’re a team that lost 15 players to the NFL draft, we have freshmen and sophomores playing critical minutes on our defense, and our star player, who’s in the Heisman race, is a 5-10 walk-on quarterback playing in the SEC against mostly 4 and 5-star players.  The Dawgs are playing at a level right now that looks untouchable. That is, in part, because our Bulldogs are not dwelling on breaking a national championship curse. They don’t care who they are playing against but rather only worry about playing to a championship standard and handling what is in front of them. This team, like their quarterback, is a confident one. Friendly reminder that it is only Week 4, and Georgia is just getting started.