Defense Wins Championships

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One of these things is not like the other:

Georgia Bulldog Top 5 Total Yards, by Season:

  • 2022 – 7,517 – 15-0, SEC East Champs, SEC Champs, National Champs
  • 2023 – 6,951 – 13-1, SEC East Champs
  • 2021 – 6,637 – 14-1, SEC East Champs, National Champs
  • 2012 – 6,547 – 12-2, SEC East Champs
  • 2017 – 6,529 – 13-2, SEC East Champs, SEC Champs

Georgia Bulldogs, Defense by Season:

  • 2022 – 309 YPG
  • 2023 – 291 YPG
  • 2021 – 279 YPG
  • 2012 – 360 YPG
  • 2017 – 293 YPG

Each of the seasons that didn’t end with a National Championship were stopped by Alabama. In 2012, by comparison, the Alabama D yielded 256 YPG, and the 2011 version of the Tide yielded an insane 170 YPG. Talk about your generational defenses.

When reflecting on the the results above, three of those had unfortunate results. I’d qualify them with the following emotions:

  • 2023 – Sad, but proud of the run the team had been on for so long, and a little frustrated at some bad breaks, unfortunate timing, and a rash of injuries.
  • 2017 – Heartbroken by the way it ended, especially for the guys who came back and gave it their all…but massively optimistic for things to come.
  • 2012 – Shocked we were even competitive, crestfallen when the quick snap play call went bad. Given the talent we had on defense and how little it showed that year, I expected a bloodletting and not for the good guys.

One things for sure…iron sharpens iron. I don’t like Alabama, but you’ve got to say the end result that has been exhibited from 2021 forward, having a high bar and having a coach who knows the blueprint to the “process”, has yielded the only Saban disciple to duplicate (with repeated success – while near yearly competing against Saban!) success at another school.

We are breathing in rarified air, and I don’t take it for granted. Consistency in talent development and a focus on defense, along with a financial commitment Richt never had, yields more happy Bulldawgs, but equally painful defeats as a result. I’ll take it.

Interested in y’all’s take…what’s the biggest heartbreaker from the seasons listed above?