Georgia football was excellent on offense in 2023, but one statistic kept them from being truly elite. If they can fix it in 2024, the sky is the limit for the Bulldogs.
2023 was a transition year for Georgia. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken moved to the NFL to take the same position with the Baltimore Ravens and was replaced by Mike Bobo, taking over in his second stint as the Bulldogs’ OC. It was also the first time the team was led by quarterback Carson Beck after two-plus explosive seasons under Stetson Bennett.
The results were very good. Georgia went 13-1 and came within just three points of winning the SEC, but something was certainly different. The offense lacked the same type of ruthless efficiency of recent seasons. The Bulldogs were fantastic on offense, one of the most productive units in the country, but they weren’t lethal.
One State emphasizes this above all others. In 2023, Georgia took advantage of 89.71% of red zone opportunities (per TeamRankings.com), which ranks 23rd in the country. It was a significant drop from 2022’s 98.67%, which ranked first among all Power 5 schools.
The problem wasn’t moving the ball—Georgia reached the red zone more times per game (5.2) than any other team in the country—it was the lack of a shot when it got there. Even more damning were Georgia’s last three games. The Bulldogs scored on just 72.73% of trips to the red zone in those matchups.
Trailing Alabama 10-7 in the second quarter of the SEC Championship, Georgia has first and 10 at the Alabama 19. A sack by Carson Beck and a false start took Georgia back to the 31, where Peyton Woodring would miss a 50-yard field goal. Alabama took that field position and drove down the field to take a 17-7 halftime lead.
Against Georgia Tech the week before in a 31-23 win over the 6-5 Yellow Jackets, Carson Beck had an unusual interception in the red zone. To be fair, the Bulldogs also abandoned the game once they reached Tech’s red zone late in the quarter, skewing the statistics slightly.
With all the talent returning to the offense, Bobo should be able to find creative ways to execute inside the 20. If there has been one fatal flaw during his tenure at Georgia, it has been his famous offensive mistakes in the red zone (for example, in South Carolina). 2014). The Bulldogs should be able to score points when they get deep into opponents’ territory.
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