Mark Richt wasn’t afraid to reveal Georgia’s championship expectation during the preseason, citing extreme confidence in a fifth-year senior quarterback he believed could get the job done against the week-to-week grind of an SEC schedule.

And Hutson Mason didn’t disappoint.

Said to be the Bulldogs’ primary question mark on offense coming in, Mason’s played lights out during the second half of the season, helping his team climb to No. 9 in the latest College Football Playoff poll with a shot at a New Year’s Six bowl with a win Saturday over Georgia Tech.

Since tossing a third-quarter interception against Vanderbilt on Oct. 4, Mason’s numbers exceed any other SEC quarterback. One could make the case he’s been the league’s best at the position thanks to near flawless contributions over his last six starts —14 total touchdowns without a turnover and a 68.4 completion percentage.

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Mason’s not going to wow you with arm strength or an NFL-like release, but his efficiency’s helped Georgia average a conference-high 43.3 points per game this season which would also mark a school record under coordinator Mike Bobo if the Bulldogs keep it up.

He’s manufactured success behind an offense line that replaced three starters, Todd Gurley missing nearly half the season and several star wideouts sidelined multiple games for various injuries.

It’s an incredible feat considering most thought Georgia would take a step back after replacing four-year starter and record-setter Aaron Murray under center.

“He’s handled pressure extremely well,” Bobo said according to OnlineAthens. “And I’m not just talk about pressure playing in a game but pressure from outside sources that every player gets, but especially a quarterback is going to get at this level at a school like Georgia.”

Mason’s prepared this week for his second career start vs. Georgia Tech, a team he beat last season as a junior after Murray went down with a knee injury. Against the Yellow Jackets, Mason gave Georgia fans a glimpse into the future with 320 yards and a touchdown.

Mason and the bulldogs will know by kickoff whether they’ve won the division and advanced to Atlanta. Arkansas must beat Mizzou on Friday to clinch Georgia’s berth.

Regardless, Mason’s been more than just a senior fill-in under center this season.