Welcome to the Morning Five, a quick hit of Bulldog facts to get your day started right. This morning we’re looking at five statistically-adjacent surprises as we put one quarter of the 2024 regular season in the rear view mirror.
#1 The defense. The Georgia Bulldog defense still hasn’t surrendered a touchdown. That’s perhaps a bit surprising. What struck me as maybe more surprising is that they’re not alone. In fact, Ole Miss and Ohio State also have not allowed an opponent to cross the goal line this season. The Red and Black are currently fourth nationally in scoring defense at 6.0 points per game, behind the Rebels, Buckeyes, and Tennessee Volunteers.
#2 The defense (part two). This one’s not so good. The Bulldog defense is currently 40th in the nation in rush defense, surrendering 110.67 yards per game. The Bulldogs have finished outside the national top 30 only twice since Kirby Smart’s been in Athens and never this low. It’s early yet, and certainly injuries and resulting depth issues have played a part. But if there’s something that makes me slightly uneasy about the upcoming grind of SEC play, that number is it.
#3 Oscar Delp. If you had asked me to guess how many catches and yards the Dawgs’ veteran tight end would have to this point in the season my answer would not have been 3 catches for only 25 yards. Delp also hasn’t found the end zone yet. Some of that is attributable to teams being aware of the danger he presents as a receiver, some of it to the emergence of Colbie Young as a big target on the outside, and some to a couple of drops on Delp’s end. But getting him more involved in the offense feels like one of those things that would certainly be beneficial.
#4 Branson Robinson. On the other end of the scale, no one was exactly sure how much we’d see Branson Robinson in the tailback rotation as he looks to return from a significant knee injury and surgery. So far the results are promising. Robinson only has 12 Carrie’s for 39 yards, but he’s found the endzone twice and appears to be building a niche specialty as the go-to tailback in goal line situations.
#5 Brett Thorson. The Aussie still hasn’t had a punt returned this season. But it hasn’t been for lack of opportunity. Following a six kick effort in the Kentucky game Thorson has kicked 11 times, which, assuming Georgia makes the playoff, would likely put him on pace for his first 45+ punt season in Athens (his current high is 36, but spread over 15 games in 2022). I like the guy, but I’d also like to see less of him. Until later…
Go ‘Dawgs!!!