It seems like ages since we’ve seen the Georgia Bulldogs on the football field.

In reality, when the Dawgs take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, it will have been just under 3 weeks. And a host of key players, primarily on defense, won’t be participating due to a decision to opt-out or transfer.

That’s not to say the Bulldogs can’t win this game — they’ll be favored by about a touchdown — but the task becomes a little more difficult. And the Bearcats, led by Luke Fickell out of the American Athletic Conference, figure to be a loose team as they’ll essentially have nothing to lose against a Power 5 opponent. But don’t mistake the looseness for weakness, though.

Here are 3 matchups I’m watching as the Bulldogs and Bearcats clash in Atlanta on New Year’s Day:

1. A depleted Bulldogs defense vs. QB Desmond Ridder

I wouldn’t expect Ridder to stick around next year for his senior season, as the Louisville native — a 2-star out of high school, mind you, who was only offered by Cincinnati and FCS Eastern Kentucky — is probably as dynamic as any quarterback Georgia has faced all season. (Yes, I’m aware that this is a team that has gone up against 2 Heisman finalists.)

In Ridder, you’re not just game-planning for an accurate passer who has thrown 17 touchdowns and has been picked off 6 times. You’re also game-planning for someone who’s taken it in the end zone himself 12 times and recorded over 600 yards rushing on just over 80 carries.

Most of this production came after a slow start to the season that saw many call for his benching. But after a 3-interception performance against USF on Oct. 3, Ridder’s raised his game, tossing 11 touchdowns versus just 2 picks in his last 6 outings while recording all 12 of his rushing touchdowns in that span.

The Bulldogs will be without several members of their secondary (DJ Daniel, Eric Stokes, Richard LeCounte), plus senior leader Monty Rice and Jermaine Johnson, so that “next man up” mantra is going to be tested if they’re to make life difficult for the Bearcats’ signal-caller. Fortunately Azeez Ojulari, once thought to be opting out, will actually play, as will Mark Webb.

2. The Bulldogs’ rushing game vs. Cincy’s run defense

Georgia’s rushing offense was impressive late in the season. Keep in mind that this team recorded just 8 running yards against Mississippi State, but saw a dramatic about-face in back-to-back 300-plus yard performances against a struggling South Carolina defense and a Missouri team that had played well throughout much of the year but had been showing a few cracks.

While Georgia has the No. 1 rushing defense in the country, Cincinnati’s isn’t bad, either: just over 118 yards yielded on the ground this year puts it just inside the top 20. It’s also held opponents to just 3.3 yards per attempt. Two names to keep an eye on are Darrian Beavers and Jarell White, who have 13.0 tackles for a loss between them. Myjai Sanders is also a disruptor.

Zamir White has been held without a touchdown in just 1 game this year, and even if he’s struggling to get things going, the Dawgs should be able to turn to Kenny McIntosh, James Cook and a suddenly surging Daijun Edwards. We’ll have to see if Kendall Milton gets the green light for this one after sitting out the tail end of the season due to injury.

3. Georgia’s offensive line vs. a talented Bearcats pass rush

With respect to how well the offense has looked with JT Daniels, this is certainly the best defense he’s faced.

I mentioned Sanders, but it’s worth going into a bit more detail as it pertains to the pass rush because that’s where the defensive end from coastal Georgia truly shines (7.0 sacks). Six other players have at least 2 sacks.

The Bearcats averaged 3.0 sacks per game, which put them firmly in the top 20 nationally.

Warren Erickson should fill in well for Ben Cleveland along the Georgia offensive line, but the group as a whole will have its hands full throughout the afternoon. And this, in my opinion, might be the biggest matchup to watch, especially if Ridder gets hot and the Dawgs need to keep throwing.