Dawg Tracks: 15 thoughts heading into Georgia-Kentucky

Here is this week’s Dawg Tracks column with Georgia preparing to face Kentucky this Saturday.

1. Much has been made, and rightfully so, about the fourth-and-1 decision in the fourth quarter against Alabama. However, Georgia ran only 53 plays and possessed the ball for just 24:24 of the game. For as much flack as offensive coordinator Mike Bobo caught, Glenn Schumman deserved just as much if not more.

2. I’m not sure what’s worse — the fact that Georgia’s defensive line does not have a sack this year or that Alabama converted 13 of 19 third downs. Regardless, both the lack of a pass rush and the inability to get off the field cost Georgia a game it only lost by 3 points.

3. This is two weeks in a row Georgia’s defensive line has been stonewalled up front. South Carolina just recorded six sacks in a win over Kentucky. If the Bulldogs can’t get after Cutter Boley then that will signal real problems on the defensive line.

4. Much has been made about Georgia’s youth on defense. Well, it is the NIL era, and players are transferring more than ever, so there’s something to be said about the inability to build the kind of the depth the Bulldogs used to possess.

5. Of Georgia’s 23 defenders that played Saturday, there were two seniors, one redshirt junior, five juniors, four redshirt sophomores, four sophomores, five redshirt freshmen and two true freshmen. While it’s not an old defense, 12 defenders have three or more years in a college football program.

6. To put this in perspective, the 2017 team that reached the College Football Playoff National Championship had seven seniors and eight juniors playing major minutes. The 2021 national title team received key contributions on defense from nine seniors and seven juniors.

7. However, the 2022 national championship squad featured three seniors and six juniors. This defense featured quite a few young players, such as freshman Malaki Starks, freshman Mykel Williams, sophomore Smael Mondon, sophomore Jamon Dumas-Johnson, sophomore Javon Bullard and sophomore Kamari Lassiter. Kelee Ringo was a redshirt sophomore in 2022, although he missed the entire 2020 season due to a shoulder injury.

8. While Georgia’s defense this season is young, it’s not that different from the 2022 group when it comes to experience. However, the 2022 defense featured Jalen Carter. Georgia has not fielded close to the same level of defense since Carter left.

9. Georgia’s defense finished its first four games of 2024, which included games against Clemson, Kentucky and Alabama with eight sacks. As mentioned, the Bulldogs only have five so far in 2025, which have been totaled only by inside linebackers.

10. The past two games have dropped Georgia to 13th in the SEC in passing yards allowed (232.8). A game against a Kentucky group that has averaged only 159 passing yards per game is much needed.

11. Chauncey Bowens figures to have a chance to go over 100 rushing yards again. The Wildcats rank 13th in the SEC in rushing defense, allowing 147 yards on the ground per game.

12. Against Alabama, Bowens had the best game of any of the running backs. Georgia is likely to still use a committee approach but Bowens has certainly looked the part between the 20s. And even near the goal line, Bowens is more than capable of bruising his way into the end zone.

13. Josh McCray will play a huge role during the later months when the weather cools down. McCray does not go down easy on first contact. His usage will keep him fresh late in the year as well when he will be needed to wear down defenses.

14. Georgia has to get Zachariah Branch more involve on offense. He’s the most electric player on offense but received only five touches against Alabama. Branch is averaging only 4.5 touches on offense per game.

15. Georgia hasn’t lost back-to-back games since 2018, when it dropped the SEC Championship to Alabama 35-28 and then lost in the Sugar Bowl against Texas 28-21. In games following a loss, Smart is 11-3.

ICYMI

Texas commit Taven Epps puts Georgia “up there” following his recent visit.

Jordan Hall is having a hard time explaining the defense’s slow starts.

Santana Harvey has Georgia on top after his game day visit.

Across the Ball: Three key matchups heading into Georgia-Kentucky.

Seth Tillman says Georgia was “electrifying.”