DAWGS Update: In Review
by Keegan Shinall
Dawgs OTL Writer/ Bleeds Red and Black
Georgia’s Bye Week
Georgia gets to enjoy this bye week on the right side of the scoreboard — but not without a few reminders that even the nation’s toughest programs have to evolve. The 43–35 win over Ole Miss was gritty, explosive, and occasionally messy. Now comes the reset button.
The Dawgs are 6–1 and still very much in the national title chase. This week is a chance to rest up and return refined.
What Georgia Got Right
When the offense needed to deliver, it did. Quarterback Gunner Stockton turned in his most complete performance of the year, throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns while adding another on the ground. The passing game found rhythm early and maintained it when the pressure rose late. If Gunner continues to grow then we are talking about a fully elite level QB.
Georgia also owned the game’s tempo. The Bulldogs controlled the ball for over 37 minutes, out-gained Ole Miss by nearly 160 yards, and dominated the fourth quarter with a 17–0 closing run. That finishing energy showed championship DNA - the ability to take control when it matters most.
Where the Cracks Showed
1. Defensive Starts Still Sluggish
Ole Miss opened the game by scoring on its first five drives — a pattern that’s too familiar this season. Georgia’s defense tightened in the final quarter, but the early lapses have been costly. Through seven games, opponents have converted over 40% of third-down attempts, and too many of those come in the first half.
The Dawgs must reestablish their identity as a fast-start defense, not just one that adjusts late.
2. Run Defense Giving Up Timely Bursts
Statistically, Georgia’s rush defense looks solid — just 3.0 yards per carry allowed — but that number hides the context. When teams have committed to the ground game, especially early, they’ve created lanes and chunk plays before Georgia’s front settles. That’s where discipline in gap integrity and pursuit angles becomes crucial.
3. Penalties and Execution
There’s been an uptick in drive-killing mistakes: pass interference, holds, and offsides that stall momentum. Against an SEC slate loaded with aggressive, up-tempo offenses, those details can turn a close win into a
Improvements to Make…
A. Win Early Downs on Defense
Georgia needs to focus this week on tightening first- and second-down execution. That means more film study on pre-snap motion, quicker reads by linebackers, and improved communication in the secondary. The goal is simple: force opponents into third-and-long, not third-and-manageable.
B. Stay Balanced on Offense
The passing game has carried the load recently, but the Dawgs can’t become predictable. With the offensive line healthy again, this is the time to reestablish a downhill run game that complements Stockton’s efficiency through the air. Expect the staff to experiment with tempo and formation variety in practice to keep defenses guessing.
C. Sharpen Discipline and Conditioning
Bye weeks can lead to rust if not managed right. Georgia’s practices this week should emphasize pace, situational football, and crisp execution. Cleaning up penalties, reducing mental errors, and maintaining physical sharpness will matter more than the playbook itself.
D. Heal Up and Reset the Edge
The bye is also a mental checkpoint. After back-to-back emotional games, Georgia has to recover physically and reset the focus for the season’s stretch run. The hunger that defined their comeback versus Ole Miss needs to become the default setting, not the emergency mode. “Aggressive starts” seem like a simplistic generalization but it is that simple.
The Bigger Picture
The Bulldogs remain one of the most complete teams in the country - but the margin for greatness has always been in the details.
The offense looks explosive again, the defense is still capable of dominance, and the coaching staff knows exactly where the vulnerabilities lie.
If this bye week becomes a laboratory for sharpening fundamentals…especially tackling, third-down defense, and penalty discipline. Georgia can emerge sharper, faster, and more dangerous than ever.
The Dawgs don’t need to reinvent who they are. They just need to clean the glass, lock in, and make sure the next four quarters they play start as strong as they finish.
We’ve had an action packed highly entertaining season thus far. If things go our way then we’ve only played around half of our games . Everyone have a great weekend.
Go Dawgs.
