No. 3 Georgia just walked away with a 27-8 rivalry win over No. 17 Florida after their bye week, and on paper, that’s a huge W. You never turn down a three-score victory, especially against a ranked opponent. But let’s be real, the scoreboard is masking some serious issues for the Bulldogs, especially with QB Gunner Stockton’s passing game, and it has everyone wondering if this team can really go all the way.
Defense Carries the Load as Offense Stumbles
The Bulldogs snagged that 27-8 win, but don’t let the final score fool you. The offense looked sluggish, putting up a measly 318 total yards against a Florida defense that has been straight-up leaky all season. Think about this: Florida came into that game ranked 13th in the SEC and a shocking 121st nationally in passing yards allowed, giving up 255.0 yards per game! They were also 112th in EPA per dropback and 126th in passing success rate. And yet, Stockton could only muster 101 passing yards on 13-of-23 attempts. Freshman Craig Dandridge led the team with just 39 receiving yards, with 32 of those coming on one play. That’s a huge red flag when you’re facing one of the worst secondaries in the country! The defense, though, played lights out. They forced four turnovers, one of which was a scoop-and-score, and two others gave the offense short fields that led to 10 points. Without that defensive dominance, this game could’ve been way tighter. Coach Kirby Smart even admitted it after the game to ESPN’s Holly Rowe, complimenting Stockton’s grit and willingness to run, but adding, “We missed some throws. We left some points out there. We gotta get better.” He’s not wrong.
Big Tests Are Looming, And So Are the Stakes
This passing game issue isn’t just a blip, it’s a huge threat to Georgia’s national championship aspirations. The run game eventually got going in the second half against Florida, but leaning on it won’t cut it against the teams coming up. Over the next three weeks, the Bulldogs are stepping into a gauntlet of quarterbacks who can absolutely light up a scoreboard, even against an elite defense like Georgia’s. First up is Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss. Then it’s Austin Simmons and Missouri, followed by LaNorris Sellers and South Carolina. Any one of those guys could easily force Georgia into a high-scoring shootout. Can Stockton and his pass-catchers actually answer that bell? Yeah, Stockton has had some big moments this season, like throwing for 295 yards and three touchdowns against Vanderbilt or making some ridiculously tough throws in that road win over Alabama. But that lack of production against Florida, a team he *should* have shredded through the air, is a huge concern. He’s also been prone to mistakes, even when playing well, like in the Auburn loss where he was great for 90% of the game. If Georgia wants to achieve its goal of winning the national championship, they’ve got to find a consistent, mistake-free passing attack, and fast.
The schedule isn’t letting up, and the pressure is on. Can Gunner Stockton and this passing game finally click, or will these lingering questions derail Georgia’s title dreams? We’re about to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply