Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2019 Notre Dame Football Preview
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1133608
120 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY BRYAN DRISKELL Kirby Smart wasted no time building his alma mater into a SEC power, leading Geor- gia to the College Football Playoff in his second season as head coach and a Sugar Bowl berth in year three. Georgia is 32-10 in Smart's three seasons, and it had the nation's No. 1-ranked recruit- ing class the last two years. That combi- nation of on-field and recruiting success has raised expectations, with Athlon Sports, Lindy's Sports and Street & Smith's all pro- jecting the Bulldogs to once again advance to the CFP in their preseason magazines. All that is left is beating Alabama, some- thing Georgia has been unable to do under Smart, who was a part of four title teams while coordinating the Crimson Tide defense. "At this point, the biggest factor for Geor- gia will be simply getting over the mental hump of getting past the Crimson Tide," UGASports.com managing editor Anthony Dasher said. "We all remember how the na- tional title game ended, and last year's SEC title game when the ill-fated fake punt … led to another heartbreaking loss. "Talent-wise, Georgia is right there with the Crimson Tide." The Bulldogs have one of the most loaded backfields in the nation, led by three-year starter Jake Fromm at quarterback and gifted junior running back D'Andre Swift. Fromm threw 30 touchdown passes a season ago, while Swift rushed for 1,049 yards and 10 scores while splitting carries. UGA won 20-19 at Notre Dame in 2017 on the strength of its linebackers, but that unit has undergone major changes the last two seasons. "It was a growing process [in 2018], but this year — with the returning players and an influx of talented freshmen — Georgia should be back up to speed at the position," Dasher said. "[Junior Monty] Rice will an- chor the middle linebacking corps. … No fewer than three former five-stars make up what should be a stacked group of outside linebackers." Dasher believes a tough schedule could serve as a road block to the CFP for the Bulldogs, including the visit from Notre Dame Sept. 21. "The hype surrounding the Notre Dame game is going to be off the charts," Dasher said. "I've been covering Georgia for 22 years and there's never been the kind of anticipation for a non-conference game like there is with the Irish. "Will the players get swallowed up in all that? There are still a lot of young players on the team." Reasons For Optimism • Elite backfield skill • Deep and talented offensive line • Ball hawks on the back end The return of quarterback Jake Fromm and 1,000- yard rusher D'Andre Swift gives the Bulldogs one of the premier backfields in the nation … That unit will operate behind one of the nation's best — and biggest — offensive lines … Georgia has loaded up on impact defensive backs, among other areas, in recent recruiting classes. Reasons For Concern • Losses at wide receiver • Lack of disruption on defense • Injury history at running back Georgia is young and talented at wide receiver and tight end, but replacing four of its top five pass catchers won't be easy … The Bulldogs ranked 84th nationally in sacks and 95th in tackles for loss a season ago … Three of UGA's top three backs have significant injury histories. GEORGIA BULLDOGS GAME 3 • SEPT. 21 • SANFORD STADIUM X-FACTOR: Junior quarterback Jake Fromm gets most of the attention, but explosive junior running back D'Andre Swift (above) is the key to the Georgia offense in 2019. PHOTO COURTESY UGA SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS 2019 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2018 Result Aug. 31 at Vanderbilt W, 41-13 Sept. 7 Murray State — Sept. 14 Arkansas State — Sept. 21 Notre Dame — Oct. 5 at Tennessee W, 38-12 Oct. 12 South Carolina W, 41-17 Oct. 19 Kentucky W, 34-17 Nov. 2 vs. Florida* W, 36-17 Nov. 9 Missouri W, 43-29 Nov. 16 at Auburn W, 27-10 Nov. 23 Texas A&M — Nov. 30 at Georgia Tech W, 45-21 * at Jacksonville, Fla. QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Georgia leads 2-0 Last Meeting: Georgia 20, Notre Dame 19 (Sept. 9, 2017; South Bend) Head Coach: Kirby Smart, 32-10 at Georgia and overall (4th year) 2018 Results: 11-3 overall, 7-1 SEC East (1st); lost to Alabama 35-28 in the SEC championship game; lost to Texas 28-21 in the Sugar Bowl Returning Starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense) Prediction: Georgia 27, Notre Dame 21 RETURNING LEADERS Rushing: RB D'Andre Swift (1,049 yards, 10 TD) Passing: QB Jake Fromm (2,749 yards, 30 TD) Receiving: WR Jeremiah Holloman (418 yards, 5 TD) Tackles: S Richard LeCounte (74) Sacks: LB Channing Tindall (2) Interceptions: S JR Reed and LB Tae Crowder (2)