Now this was not something that the Georgia Bulldogs fans had signed up for. The Bulldogs rushed for an average of 124.4 yards per game last season. That ranked 102nd in the country. Was Kirby Smart’s program lagging in talent when it came to their O-line? Maybe, or maybe not. But what plagued the offense was that somehow Smart and his coaches lacked clarity. So confusion is a BIG NO NO for the Bulldogs this season as analysts come up with some advice. Meanwhile, a growing spring battle between Gunner Stockton and Ryan Puglisi is looming in the corner. 

They say if winter is here can spring be far behind. Finally, the season of change has arrived after the cold winter months. For Smart’s squad, it’s more true as far as the O-line is concerned. Last season, the Bulldogs O-line allowed 25 sacks in 14 games, including four in the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame. That’s some thunder-blunder! The analyst Dean Legge and his co-host thus address the need of the hour in Athens. The Bulldogs are replacing four starters from last year’s team, including longtime anchors Tate Ratledge and Xavier Truss. Their returner, Monroe Freeling, is out for the spring after shoulder surgery. On the UGA Football on Dawg Post, Legge addressed the elephant in the room. 

He stated, “They’ve got to get the offensive line right.” Freeling’s action is going to be limited. Plus, Smart’s punter Brett Thorson also suffered a knee injury and had a season-ending surgery last year. Legge then comes up with certain questions for Smart the answers for which the HC needs to figure out at the earliest. “They’ve got to figure out kind of what they’re doing. Does Daniel Calhoun start coming in the middle? Is Drew Bobo at center?” Well, last season when Jared Wilson suffered an ankle injury, Smart called Drew Bobo to start. As per the reports, the player is more than prepared for a much larger role in Georgia’s offense in the upcoming season.

However, Smart is yet to figure out whether Daniel Calhoun’s coming in the middle. So, the thing is in Georgia’s O-line there are enough flagbearers. However, it’s now Smart’s task to make the best use of the talent- more like a too many cooks kinda picture. But the HC will have to make sure that the broth is not spoiled. As Degge advised, “It’s not like they don’t have guys but whatever you know whatever you’re putting in the soup everything’s got to mix together to where everything tastes good at the end of the day.” The Bulldogs have one more pressing need to address.  

The battle begins in Kirby Smart’s QB room

The spring practice is knocking at the door. And as far as Smart’s squad is concerned, there are plenty of positions that are going to grab attention. However, none will draw more attention than a potential quarterback battle between Stockton and Puglisi. As far as Stockton is concerned, Smart has not yet been named the starting quarterback. The QB did get some exposure as he started the last game of Georgia’s 2024 season. Unfortunately, that ended in a loss against Notre Dame. In the other game, he led Smart’s Georgia to the SEC Championship game after defeating Texas.

In both these games, Stockton completed 32 of his 48 pass attempts for 305 yards. Puglisi entered the Georgia program as a 4-star prospect. At 6’3, 210 pounds, he has immense arm talent and physical capabilities. While he comes off as the only serious competitor, Stockton definitely has that edge when it comes to the QB1 position. After all, Puglisi has yet to throw a collegiate pass. Now what does the analyst think about the situation?

On the ESPN College Football podcast, Greg McElroy assured that Gunner Stockton will offer Kirby Smart a better era than his former QB Carson Beck. “Well if you look at Gunner Stockton compared to what they had the last two years with Carson Beck, you have a little bit more mobility at the quarterback spot.” As the QB room finds its rhythm, Smart must fine-tune his O-line strategy.