The Georgia Bulldogs are heading into Saturday to face off against top ten opponent in the Tennessee Volunteers. This should be an exciting clash between two SEC teams desperately fighting to stay in the College Football Playoff picture. A loss here for the Bulldogs could spell the end to their hopes at the playoffs and chasing yet another National Title.
HC Kirby Smart’s team has looked much more vulnerable this season than in the past. Already having two losses on the year, a third would almost definitely knock them out of contention. Georgia is coming off an upset 28-10 loss to Ole Miss. There is no longer any room for error, and unfortunately the Bulldogs will be without one of their key offensive weapons going into Saturday’s SEC clash.
Georgia Bulldogs Rule Out Star Offensive Player
The Bulldogs have ruled running back Trevor Etienne out for their game against Tennessee. Leaving a glaring hole in the offense, as true freshman Nate Frazier was Georgia’s only running back not on the injury report this week. Etienne suffered an upper-body injury on Nov. 2nd against Florida, he would leave that game and not return. The talented running back would play last week against Ole Miss but only manage to get 24 rushing yards.
Etienne currently leads the Bulldogs with 477 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. His absence will certainly add more pressure on the shoulders of already struggling quarterback Carson Beck. Georgia’s offense has been incredibly inconsistent this season. Beck leads the nation in interceptions and has often times looked like he couldn’t handle the pressure opposing defenses have brought against him. This once dominant team has struggled with overcoming adversity this year.
Season On the Line Against Tennessee
A team like the Georgia Bulldogs don’t come into the season dreaming about playing in a bowl game. They come in expecting to play in the College Football Playoffs, where the stakes are at their highest. They expect to be contending for the National Championship when the end of the season comes around. Kirby Smart’s team has lost two games, but against current top ten ranked teams. Ole Miss and Alabama both showed the flaws in the Bulldogs.
HC Smart has questioned the playoff committee dating back to last season, when his team missed the four-team playoff. Though, Georgia had been back-to-back National Champions and only had one loss last year. Now, Smart is questioning the committee once more. Asking if they take strength of schedule into consideration for the playoff rankings. College football fans have bashed the Bulldogs coach for this saying simply don’t lose.
We could be seeing the end of a dominant run in college football today. If Tennessee can pull off the win and knock Georgia out of playoff contention for a second consecutive year. Beck and the rest of the offense can’t afford to start slow against an explosive Volunteers squad. The loss of running back Trevor Etienne may be what tips the scales in favor of the orange and white.
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