Cover 4: What is the big edge for Georgia football against Notre Dame?

DawgNation has four staffers who cover Georgia football from every angle: Beat, live streams, photos, podcasts, recruiting, etc. The “Cover 4” concept is: 1) Present a topic; 2) Offer a reasoned response; 3) Share a brisk statement to support the informed opinion. 4) Pepper the page with photos for the big picture. For this edition, we discuss a big perceived weakness for the Bulldogs to exploit on Saturday against Notre Dame.

DawgNation continues with the “Cover 4” concept. It was a regular in our story rotation in 2018.

We have four staffers who cover UGA athletics on a full-time basis. It means the focus shifts to a timely “Cover 4” look with each of our guys manning the secondary here.

The quick in-and-out game remains. These takes are designed to come out quicker than former Bulldog Mecole Hardman Jr. ran the 40 at the NFL combine.

The latest “Cover 4” question of the regular season is:

What is the big advantage UGA has on Notre Dame?

Brandon Adams: The overall talent level

Jake Fromm–D’Andre Swift-UGA football-Georgia football” width=”2400″ height=”2134″ /> Georgia All-American candidates Jake Fromm (left) and D’Andre Swift (right) are two of the big reasons why Georgia can feel it has all the talent in the world to play with Notre Dame this weekend. (Curtis Compton/AJC)/Dawgnation)

The “why” from “DawgNation Daily” here: “UGA’s four recruiting classes under Kirby Smart have ranked sixth, third, first and second. Over that same span, Notre Dame has been 15th, 10th, 10th and 16th. That huge disparity is the biggest reason why the game shouldn’t be close.”

Mike Griffith: Line of scrimmage

Georgia’s offensive line and its big guys up front will play a large part in the final score with Notre Dame on Saturday night in Athens. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The “why” from “On the Beat” here: “Georgia’s offensive line has been well documented, and while the Bulldogs’ defensive line isn’t as celebrated, it’s as deep, and staying fresh is a factor.“

Connor Riley: Georgia’s ability to run the football

Georgia tailback D’Andre Swift is still averaging right at 100 yards per game in 2019. He’s done so on basically 10 attempts per game so far. (Curtis Compton/AJC)/Dawgnation)

The “why” from “Good Day UGA” here: “Notre Dame’s rush defense has been less than stellar to start the season, giving up an average of 230 yards a game. That’s a real good recipe to get absolutely throttled by the likes of D’Andre Swift, Brian Herrien, Zamir White and James Cook.“

Jeff Sentell: Players.

Cade Mays-Georgia football-UGA football” width=”2920″ height=”1947″ /> Sophomore OL Cade Mays is one of 18 players on the Georgia roster who carried a 5-star rating on the 247Sports Composite standard coming out of high school. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The Intel here: “Notre Dame is a very well-coached team so this will come down to players. Not plays. The blue-chip ratio has UGA with 76 signees over the last four cycles who carried a 4-or 5-star rating. Notre Dame has also signed 50 of those. The bigger tell is the 5-star guys. The Bulldogs have signed 18. Notre Dame? It did not sign a 5-star over the last four cycles.“