DAWG BONE OFFENSE – GEORGIA

The Georgia offense continues to struggle regardless of the quality of the opponent, weather conditions, or whether the game is at home or own the road. It is time to acknowledge that the Georgia offense is simply average at best. It is not the fault of a specific player or coach, but instead a combination of numerous factors that are too extensive to be named here. Regardless, the Dawgs continue to find a way to put enough points on the board to come out victorious week after week. Also, D’Andre Swift is single-handedly willing this team to victory on the offensive side with game-changing plays in pressure-packed situations.

Meanwhile, Georgia Tech is coming off their best offensive performance of the season. The Yellow Jackets are a run-heavy offense that tries to hit big plays off play-action. James Graham can be a problem with his legs if the defense loses discipline. Unfortunately for the Yellow Jackets, they are very one-dimensional and that plays right into the Dawgs’ strength. For that reason, Georgia wins the Dawg Bone on offense.

DAWG BONE DEFENSE – GEORGIA

The 2019 edition of the Junkyard Dogs defense is the best defense to don the Red and Black in my lifetime. There is no Champ Bailey, David Pollack, Jarvis Jones, Roquan Smith or DeAndre Baker for this defense. Instead, they have 25 (or more) unselfish players who rotate through and play with extraordinary discipline and effort. The cornerstone of this defense has been their ability to shut down opposing rushing attacks. Most impressive is the ability to set the edge and to force opposing runners back towards their pursuing teammates, which is very important against Tech.

The Georgia Tech defense is woefully undermanned this season. When Geoff Collins took over for Paul Johnson, a huge deficiency he pointed out was the lack of quality defensive lineman on the roster. He astutely pointed out that was likely because no lineman wanted to come to Tech and get cut blocked every day in practice under Paul Johnson. Their scheme is solid, but they do not have the athletes to execute it at a high enough level to compete with quality opponents. Therefore, UGA takes home Dawg Bone on defense.

DAWG BONE SPECIAL TEAMS – GEORGIA

Georgia wins the special teams Dawg Bone because Rodrigo Blankenship and Jake Camarda continue to have solid performances every week. Rodrigo’s final cameo in Sanford Stadium against Texas A&M was flawless and once again Camarda was booming his punts. An underrated part of this Georgia team has been the coverage on kicks and punts. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets have been solid punting the football this season, but their success rate on field goals is less than 50%. Georgia has a clear advantage on special teams.

DAWG BONE COACHING – GEORGIA

Geoff Collins is a solid coach, but Coach Smart and the staff that he has assembled in Athens is far superior to Tech’s staff. UGA’s defensive game plan has been outstanding every week and the players have executed to near perfection. It has been the exact opposite on offense for UGA, but there is something to be said for making plays when you have to. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech is still trying to establish an identity under a first-year head coach. For that reason, Georgia wins the coaching Dawg Bone.

DAWG BONE OVERALL – GEORGIA

Georgia still has everything to play for this week when they travel to Atlanta to face the Yellow Jackets. One final regular-season victory and the Dawgs finish 11-1 and return to Atlanta next week for a chance to win the SEC Championship. The noon kickoff is concerning, but there is no doubt the Bulldog Nation will paint Bobby-Dodd Stadium in Red and Black. For that reason, Georgia takes home the overall Dawg Bone.