ATHENS — The first one is in the books, a 34-3 win over a No. 14-ranked “Name” opponent, and it’s on to the next.
Georgia will obviously beat FCS-level Tennessee Tech by a wide margin, but there are far more important things than the final score in a tune-up game like this one (2 p.m., SEC Network-plus stream, ESPN-plus stream).
Coach Kirby Smart has said he wants to coach up the bottom half of the roster — the inexperienced and new players — to build the sort of championship depth needed for a title run.
The schedule gets real on Sept 14 when UGA travels to play Kentucky before a bye week gives the Bulldogs one more opportunity to polish up for a titanic clash with Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 28.
Here are some final takeaways from the win over Coach Dabo Swinney and the Tigers, with a “Level of Concern” ranging from “1″ — very little concern - to “10,” very concerned:
Quarterback
Carson Beck is an NFL talent, but he didn’t have his sharpest game, and he missed on some plays early that a player of his elite caliber — No. 1 overall draft talent — should make.
Just as Smart said center Jared Wilson is supposed to be 100 percent on snaps — and he was in the game — Beck has the talent and experience to be 100 percent with accurate throws and pocket presence — The “Great Ones” don’t, and that’s what Beck aspires to be, and has the talents to be.
Beck is too good to be having any sort of shaky play or nerves in early-game (Clemson) or big-game (2023 Alabama) moments.
Level of concern: 3 — Beck’s legend is on the line from Sept. 14 forward, and UGA will need him at his best on Sept. 28.
Running backs
It was tough sledding early against a quality Clemson front seven before Georgia sprang Nate Frazier and walk-on Cash Jones got loose for some inspirational plays.
The return of Trevor Etienne and Rod Robinson will elevate this room greatly, and now there is confidence in the players that will be behind them- Frazier, Jones and Branson Robinson, who crossed the mental barrier of playing his first game since suffering a serious knee injury in fall camp last season.
Level of concern: 2 — Dawgs need the physical punch a healthy Rod Robinson and psychologically sound Branson Robinson provide.
Receivers & tight ends
Arian Smith showed three-down ability, while Dominic Lovett got a taste of being a marked man. Dillon Bell had his moments before cramping, which opened the door for Vandy transfer London Humphreys to show he’ll do more than raise the team GPA. Colbie Young did exactly what a 6-4 target is supposed to do, capitalizing in the Red Zone even after a limited week of practice.
Sophomore Lawson Luckie showed the step-up UGA was looking for in the tight end room while Oscar Delp made his impact blocking. Incoming Stanford transfer Benjamin Yurosek was a surprising non-factor in the opener.
Level of concern: 3 — Reloaded groups sound but not sensational.
Offensive line
A strong overall performance against a talented Front Seven, but right tackle Xavier Truss is on the clock after being the lowest-graded offensive lineman per PFF, despite his sixth-year status and 29 career starts.
Smart noted that center Jared Wilson was perfect with his snaps but had other errors that he immediately owned up to after the game. The O-Line might be the strongest multiple-player unit, but it has work to do, too.
Level of concern: 2 — Georgia needs better play at right tackle.
Defensive line
If there’s an Achilles heel on this team, it would be the defensive line after non-season threatening injuries sidelined superstar Mykel Williams (ankle) along with starting defensive tackles Warren Brinson (ankle) and Nazir Stackhouse (lower extremity).
Georgia’s depth on the interior defensive line will be challenged to measure up to championship standards, adding more emphasis to player development and management. Christen Miller and Ty Ingram-Dawkins becomes more pivotal figures with Jordan Hall out indefinitely with a leg injury. Georgia needs 350-pound sophomore Jamaal Jarrett ready to play more extensively and would like to see South Carolina transfer Xzavier McLeod (abdominal strain) make an impact this season.
Level of concern: 6 — Williams must come back from injury scare with reckless abandon (Jalen Carter, 2022) and defensive tackles must maximize abilities and preparation.
Linebackers
It’s most improved unit on defense with CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson now in their second season as starters, both more assignment sound and moving even quicker to the ball. Veteran Smael Mondon appears to be over the foot injury that slowed him at the end of last season and led to him missing spring drills.
Jalon Walker is a difference-maker worthy of his own paragraph, having show his ability to impact the game from multiple positions in multiple ways, coming up with pivotal stops that completed the third-quarter momentum swing against Clemson.
Level of concern: 1. This group is talented, well-coached and deep.
Secondary
Came through with flying colors thanks to the talent and versatility of Malaki Starks, who seemingly seamlessly slid over to the Star enabling true freshman KJ Bolden to exhibit his dynamic athleticism and instinct at safety. Corners grew one game better, seemed solid enough, but also, were helped by some dropped passes and errant throws.
Level of concern: 3. Is there a shutdown corner? What does “five-best-players” on the field look like?
Special Teams
Peyton Woodring’s 55-yard field goal was worth more than 3 points in the sense of the confidence it brings, while punter Brett Thorson continues his role as “silent weapon,” flipping the field with an average punt of 48 yards with three of his four boots against Clemson placed inside the 20.
Anthony Evans provided valuable work calmly catching punts featuring the unique spin of a left-footed kicker within a tricky indoor stadium. Evans also showed his vision and quicks with a 14-yard return.
Level of concern: 1 — This might be Georgia’s best all-around special teams grouping under Smart, provided kick returns also prove fruitful.
