ATHENS — The 2024 season has not been the prettiest version of Georgia football, but it is taking shape among the most resilient.
A case could made that, despite the Bulldogs having two losses for the first time since the 2020 season, this could represent Kirby Smart’s best coaching job.
Several factors should be taken into account, among them:
• Playing five Top 10 opponents, four away from home
• Top two ‘X’ receivers sidelined by off-field issues
• More dropped passes than any FBS program
• Top three running backs out with injuries
• Each starting O-lineman missing at least one week with injury
But here are the Bulldogs, refusing to be derailed by the nation’s No. 1-ranked schedule, injured players or self-induced off-field distractions.
Georgia has worked itself back into the projected College Football Playoff field, No. 10 in the rankings and No. 11 in the seedings with a projected matchup at No. 4-ranked (and No. 6-seeded) Penn State if the season were to end today.
There’s plenty of football left, of course, and if the Bulldogs keep winning there should be some cannibalism above them in the rankings with teams playing one another that will give Georgia a chance to move up.
Whoever gets in the path of the Bulldogs will be catching a team that is on the rise with Carson Beck having had his break-out game against Tennessee.
It took Beck 10 games to realize it, but this is his Georgia team, for better or worse, and his legacy will be defined by how effectively he can rally the troops.
Beck does not have the offensive or defensive supporting cast of previous Kirby Smart quarterbacks, but he has more talent and NFL upside, and when he uses his legs he truly is a dual threat.
Against Tennessee, Beck showed he has the potential to be just as tough and dynamic of a playmaker as anyone.
Here’s a look at the stock of Georgia football players heading into a welcome non-conference game with UMass:
Stock soaring
Quarterback Carson Beck: Kirby Smart said it best, without the dropped passes there would have been 32 completions, in addition to those incredibly athletic and inspiring runs. This new, all-out version of Beck will be easy for Georgia fans to rally behind.
OC Mike Bobo: The most second-guessed coaching position in sports, but Bobo didn’t leave much room for that against Tennessee, scheming receivers and tight ends open from the second quarter on. Bobo knows what he’s doing, and now that it’s “go” time, he can utilize all of Beck’s skills.
Tight end Oscar Delp: The big tight end finally came to fruition, looking like the star player everyone expected him to be from Game One. Delp needed that performance, and Georgia will need more of it moving forward -- blocking and catching.
Tight end Ben Yurosek: The Stanford transfer finally aced an SEC football test! Yurosek looked like the player Georgia thought it was getting in the portal.
Linebacker Smael Mondon: Grizzled veteran leader reminded everyone what Georgia had been missing with him injured and/or slowed by the foot injury for more than a year. Mondon at his best is a scary sight for opposing teams.
Stock up
Defensive end Mykell Williams: The highest-graded defender triggered the Vols’ most costly penalty of the game, a false start that led to UT punting on fourth-and-9 in the fourth quarter rather than going for it near midfield with the game still in the balance.
Punter Brett Thorson: It wasn’t just that Thorson made a touchdown-saving tackle, it was the aggressive, physical and violent manner he did so. The “Thor” legacy has been cemented.
Safety Malaki Starks: Starks picked up the step it had appeared he had lost, played aggressive, and brought his level of physicality back to an acceptable level. If Starks continues to play with an edge he can work himself back into being a first-round NFL draft pick.
Edge Chaz Chambliss: Once maligned, Chambliss has grown into the heart of the defense and a true team leader and playmaker. Chambliss is playing like a man on a mission.
Offensive guard Tate Ratledge: Ratledge might not yet be 100 percent, but it’s clear his mere presence on the field makes a difference. Ratledge knows what it will take for this team to win a championship, and no one has Beck’s ear like he does.
Tailback Nate Frazier: The true freshman played 44 snaps, carrying 19 times with long run of 16 yards and a 2-yard touchdown. Frazier is still getting a feel for things, but he has come a long way.
Safety KJ Bolden: It has become commonplace to see No. 4 all over the field, swarming to the ball on every play. A star is in the making. Fearless.
Receiver Nitro Tuggle: Tuggle’s quick release and ability to get open — and catch the ball — is a welcome sight for Beck. Tuggle could be just what the doctor ordered to provide a much-needed spark in the receiving corps.
Stock even
Linebacker Raylen Wilson got caught out of position on Dylan Sampson’s 27-yard TD run — the only play UT had longer than 17 yards. Wilson’s athleticism continues to impress.
Receiver Dillon Bell had a tough night, even before the ankle injury the UGA receiver had only two catches for 12 yards on seven targets and dropped a forward lateral. Bell’s versatility is his best asset.
