Since Christmas and New Year’s has come and gone, it’s time to get back to my writing. New Year’s Day is made for black eyed peas, cabbage and a little football. There were three games on New Years, but the only meaningful game to me was the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl where my No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs (7-2) faced off with No. 7 Cincinnati Bearcats (10-0) in Atlanta at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Georgia came in again to a bowl game with nothing to lose. While not able to play for a national championship, pride was on the line. The Bearcats were no joke and a legitimate team for this game, no walk in the park game for Georgia. After the Bearcats stopped the Bulldogs on the opening drive, the Bearcats Quarterback Desmond Ritter took his team down the field on their first drive for 7 and an early lead. Georgia quickly responded with 10 points of their own, a touchdown from QB JT Daniels to WR George Pickens and a field goal to add. A turnover by Georgia in the endzone lead to another TD by Cincinnati as the Bearcats were up 14-10 at the half.
Second half all season is where the Bulldogs picked up steam and it was the same in the Peach Bowl. The UGA D held the Bearcats to just a touchdown in the second half as the Bulldogs offense chipped at the Bearcats lead. With a last minute touchdown by Georgia put the Bulldogs up by one, 22-21, the Bulldogs then sacked Ritter in the endzone for two more points. Final score and Peach Bowl victory for Georgia, 24-21.
Georgia ends their 10-game season 8-2. Team was suppose to play 10 SEC Conference games but the last game versus Vanderbilt was cancelled because Covid issues with Vandy. The Bulldogs went 7-2 during the regular season and one more win with the Cincinnati game. Only losses came at Alabama and versus Florida in Jacksonville.
With Clemson, Notre Dame, Florida, and Cincinnati all losing, teams that were ahead of Georgia in the polls, look for Georgia to be either 5,6, or 7 when the last poll is released after next Monday’s championship game.
Georgia has a lot to look forward to next season, none other than QB Daniels returning. Stability as the QB position is just what the team needs to carry them far in the 2021 season.
Header Photo Courtesy of Los Angeles Times
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