SEC Football - 2021 Georgia Bulldogs Preview
Our Georgia Bulldogs preview 2021 sees this team, which finished second last season, as being the prime contender for first place in the SEC East. After recording a 7-2 mark in the regular season last year, the Bulldogs met and beat Cincinnati 24-21 in the Peach Bowl. The offense averaged 32.3 PPG (5th SEC, 38th Nationally) racking up 174.2 YPG in rushing and 249.9 YPG in passing. The defense allowed opponents 20.0 PPG, which ranked second in the SEC and 16th in the nation. Georgia was first nationally against the run, allowing just 72.3 YPG, while giving up 248.7 passing YPG (6th SEC, 88th Nationally). The Bulldogs welcome eight back on offense and five on defense.
Georgia Offense
Fourth-year junior J.T. Daniels starts at quarterback. Last season, Daniels completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 1,231 yards. He threw 10 TD passes and just two picks. Stetson Bennett, who also took snaps last season, proved to be less accurate, completing just 55.5 percent of his passes and tossing eight TDs and six interceptions. Unfortunately for the air game, WR George Pickens, who had 36 catches last season and scored six times, tore his ACL in spring practice and is out for most, if not all, of the season. Kearis Jackson and Jermain Burton, who had 36 and 27 receptions respectively, do return. They both averaged more than 14 YPR with each catching three scoring passes.
The team’s two top ground gainers from last season anchor the rush attack. Junior Zamir White leads the way with senior James Cook following. In 2020, White averaged 5.4 YPA while rushing 144 times and gaining 779 yards. He scored 11 times. Cook, who recorded 45 carries and 303 yards, scored three TDs while averaging 6.7 YPA. The O-line, which is led by senior Jamaree Satyer, sees three starters return. This unit possesses a lot of experience and depth.
Georgia Bulldogs Preview 2021 - Defense
The frontline and linebacking units are experienced and talented. NT Jordan Davis, a senior, leads the group. Last season, Davis posted one sack and four QBH. DT Devonte Wyatt recorded 25 tackles, two TFL, and 14 QBH. WLB Nakobe Dean returns as the team’s top tackler with 71. He also posted 13 QBH and 1.5 sacks. MLB Quay Walker and Adam Anderson, who plays Jack, are experts at hassling QBs. Walker recorded 43 tackles, one sack, and eight QBH, while Anderson was good for 14 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 24 QBH. This front seven is awesome.
However, the Bulldog secondary is less intimidating. There’s very little to no experience at the corners. Freshman Jalen Kimber and Kelee Ringo, both talented athletes, will likely start. The safety spots will be held down by Lewis Cine and Christopher Smith. Although neither is spectacular both come to the game with solid playing chops.
Specialists
Our Georgia Bulldogs preview 2021 projects that special teams will be a strength for this team. Punter Jake Camarda, who also ably handles kickoffs, led the SEC with 46.6 YPP. Last year, he placed 18 of 36 within the 20. Placekicker Jack Podlesny has a strong and accurate leg. Last season, in the Peach Bowl, Podlesny hit a 53-yarder to win the game. In 2020, he was 13-of-16 in field goals and perfect on extra points with 38. Kick returns will be handled by Kenny McIntosh while Kearis Jackson handles punts and kickoffs.
Georgia Bulldogs Preview 2021 - Projection
Georgia opens against Clemson, which, of course, will be a huge challenge. But after that game, much of the schedule leans in the Bulldogs’ favor. Georgia also plays Florida and Missouri, one right after the other. But they do not have to meet Alabama or Texas A&M in the regular season. Our Georgia Bulldogs preview 2021 projects that this team will record 11 regular season wins, including eight in the SEC. They’ll meet Alabama in the SEC title game.
SEC Football - Georgia Bulldogs 2021 - Predictions:
First Place - SEC East
Sugar Bowl vs Iowa State