Dawg Tracks: 15 thoughts heading into Georgia-Georgia Tech

Here is this week’s Dawg Tracks column with Georgia preparing to face Georgia Tech this Friday.

1. Georgia’s defensive strength has been against the run. However, Georgia Tech presents a totally different challenge than what the Bulldogs are used to. Much of that has to do with Haynes King and the quarterback run game, with King accounting for 168 carries, 883 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. All of those are team highs.

2. Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner has done a great job designing the offense to suit his players’ strengths. Faulkner’s expertise with the offensive line is likely to cause problems with Georgia’s defensive front. Even Kirby Smart noted that Faulkner is great at not only knowing where to exploit a defense, but where to counter once a defense makes the first adjustment.

3. It’s easier said than done, but stopping King on the ground should be Georgia’s primary focus. If the Bulldogs are able to limit King on the ground it’s tough to see a scenario where the Yellow Jackets win.

4. Last year, King carried the ball 24 times for 110 yards and three touchdowns. That opened up Jamal Haynes to carry the ball 13 times for 91 yards as well. And in turn, having to focus on King’s ground success allowed the quarterback to throw for 303 yards and two touchdowns.

5. With those kind of numbers a year ago, it’s easy to see that Georgia Tech won the time of possession battle 37:11-22:49. It’s crazy to think that Georgia actually won this game 44-42 in eight overtime’s with that in mind. The Bulldogs must do a better job at possessing the ball and keeping King off the field.

6. Georgia Tech crumbled under the pressure of needing to defeat Pittsburgh to reach the ACC Championship. It has nothing to lose now. Expect a looser Yellow Jackets squad on Friday that should throw some new wrinkles Georgia’s way.

7. Nate Frazier has a chance to make a huge statement against a Yellow Jackets team that hasn’t stopped the run all year long. Georgia Tech ranks 96th in the nation in allowing 167.8 rushing yards per game.

8. The Bulldogs are expected to be healthy on the offensive line. Georgia is likely to lean on the run game and try to have the same success many teams have had against Georgia Tech.

9. That said, it’s not like the Yellow Jackets’ pass defense has been good either. This group is somehow worse by ranking 105th nationally with an average of 241.6 passing yards allowed.

10. When Colbie Young went down, it was seen as a huge loss. However, Noah Thomas has stepped up and filled Young’s role admirably. Before Georgia’s second bye, Thomas had only four catches for 54 yards. Following the bye and beginning with the Florida game, Thomas has totaled 12 receptions for 200 yards and four touchdowns.

11. There won’t be any excuses for Georgia’s offense in this one. This kind of matchup should have Mike Bobo as giddy as he’s ever been.

12. There was a lot of Heisman buzz for Gunner Stockton after Georgia’s win over Texas. Exiting early against Charlotte caused him to fall off a bit. A big game against Georgia Tech could get Stockton’s name back in the mix.

13. However, it certainly appears like the Heisman is Fernando Mendoza’s to lose. While my top three, in order, would be Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Stockton, the Indiana quarterback has received a lot of attention for leading his team to an undefeated season — even if the Hoosiers ain’t played nobody Pawwwwll.

14. It would be tough to imagine Georgia falling from fourth to outside of the top 12 with a loss to Georgia Tech. But there are five one-loss teams and seven two-loss teams jockeying for positioning. If the Yellow Jackets somehow win convincingly and not many other upsets happen, then a doomsday scenario could play out.

15. Georgia’s defense has had quite the resurgence. Over the last three games it ranks eighth nationally in allowing an average of 255 total yards per game. Georgia Tech will pose a great challenge, but one the Bulldogs are very much looking forward to.

ICYMI

Georgia remains fourth in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Transfer receivers are giving Georgia important proof of concept.

Zachariah Branch is closing in on a single-season Georgia record.

CJ Allen is a finalist for the Butkus Award.

Elite edge rusher KJ Green enjoyed his recent visit to Georgia.