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CJ Stroud provides early preview of Georgia, matchup in Playoffs

Palmber-Thombsby: Palmer Thombs12/10/22palmerthombs

NEW YORK — Ohio State and quarterback CJ Stroud got the benefit of an early look at their College Football Playoff semifinals. That’s because when the Buckeyes weren’t having to prepare for a Big Ten Championship Game, head coach Ryan Day kept them focused by having them look at potential Playoff opponents. The two that stood out: arch-rival Michigan and defending National Champion Georgia.

As you can imagine, there was a lot more to be learned about the Bulldogs. After all, Ohio State and Michigan had just played a week before. Their attention when watching the Wolverines was more on figuring out what would need to get fixed if the two were to match up again in the Playoffs. However, with Georgia, the unfamiliarity gave them extra reason to stay locked in.

“I’ve been watching film for a little while now. I mean, they’re a great, great team. Both offense, defense, special teams,” Stroud said during his media availability on Friday at the Heisman Trophy ceremony. “Jalen Carter definitely jumps out on film. Great player. Kelee Ringo, who I know personally, great dude but a great player as well. The freshman safety, 24 (Malaki Starks), hell of a player. So we’ve got to be on our A game. They do a lot of good things. They know what they want to do. They know their weaknesses, and they protect those really well. I definitely think they have very little to no weaknesses, so I’m very excited to go ahead and play.”

As Stroud said, one player in particular that he’s plenty familiar with his cornerback Kelee Ringo. The two were both top ranked recruits in the Class of 2020 and matched up on the West Coast during 7-on-7s and at The Opening. It was there that they really connected and built a friendship, one that almost ended up with Stroud coming to Georgia too.

“He tried to get me to go to Georgia, which I appreciated. And then at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio our senior season. So, great dude man. We kicked it the whole time really in the All-American Bowl,” Stroud said. “He’s a dude I have respect for, man. His family’s amazing. I met his mom. She’s amazing, and I was praying for them when she was going through what she was going through. So I think that he’s a great player but a great person as well.”

Stroud and Ohio State’s No. 2-ranked scoring offense in the nation go up against Georgia’s No. 2-ranked scoring defense. It’s a matchup within the game that everybody has been talking about and a battle between what makes each team turn. Of course he’ll get to know Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett better over the course of their weekend together in New York as Heisman finalists, but it will be familiarity with the defense that will matter more when the two teams line up across from each other on December 31st in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl with a spot in the National Championship Game on the line.

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