Ad Disclosure
Georgia defensive regression in 2022? It sure didn’t look that way against Oregon
Published:
Georgia’s national championship a year ago came thanks in large part to what was a historically dominant defense.
With the possible exception of the SEC Championship game, the Bulldogs were sensational on that side of the ball in 2021.
There was an expectation heading into 2022 that in spite of its recruiting prowess and player development that Georgia would almost certainly have to take a step back defensively in 2022.
After all, in addition to losing defensive coordinator Dan Lanning to Oregon, the Bulldogs had a record five defenders drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, while losing several other key contributors as well.
For those who were expecting a significant drop off, however, Saturday’s 49-3 victory over the Ducks would suggest otherwise.
The Bulldogs, with a number of new players in new roles, looked fast and physical. They held the Ducks to a lone field goal and held the Oregon offense to just 313 total yards.
And the college football world took notice of the defensive performance on social media:
https://twitter.com/Coach_VR19/status/1566197162211528705?s=20&t=7BdERMD6ZwqZwdfIM9sOEg
Bo Nix struggled vs. Georgia's tough defense in his Oregon debut. ? pic.twitter.com/8e05zn0anA
— theScore Bet (@theScoreBet) September 3, 2022
Georgia still has the best defense the country
— shawn (@shawn_golmes) September 3, 2022
Georgia defense ?
— Rudy (@ObscureLinez) September 3, 2022
https://twitter.com/_JuicyyJuicee/status/1566196267830710273?s=20&t=7BdERMD6ZwqZwdfIM9sOEg
Bo Nix has to be thinking, "THIS is why I left the SEC!" Georgia had half its defense drafted in the 1st round, and STILL looks this good. I thought they'd win handily, but didn't expect a curb stomping. Wow.
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) September 3, 2022
"Georgia's defense won't be able to withstand losing 9 players to the draft" pic.twitter.com/KVrdvTkSzC
— Alex Nicole ?? (@LaxGirlLex) September 3, 2022
Georgia once again as an ELITE defense after having nearly the entire starting unit drafted last year ? pic.twitter.com/YHG3TxUg1n
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) September 3, 2022
If you thought Georgia wasn’t going to be good on defense you were lying to yourself! GEORGIA DOESNT REBUILD THEY RELOAD
— Chris Figgures (@chrislfiggures) September 3, 2022
"Chris Wallace covers college football for Saturday Down South. He has covered college athletics for multiple newspapers and also worked previously for Rivals.com and GolfChannel.com."
