Stetson Bennett discusses preparation when playing a team twice in a season

Stetson Bennett and the Georgia Bulldogs are more than familiar with the opponent standing in their way as they compete for a national championship.

The Georgia quarterback was forced to throw a ton against the Alabama Crimson Tide defense when the two teams met on Dec. 4. He finished the game 29-of-48 for 340 yards and three touchdowns through the air, but was also intercepted twice.

Ultimately, Bennett and the Bulldogs’ offense wasn’t able to do enough to win–and as we all now know–Georgia fell 41-24.

Now, the two SEC powerhouses will meet again to battle for college football’s ultimate prize.

Stetson Bennett was asked about preparing for a team he’s already faced earlier in the year as the Bulldogs implement game plans and practice for the test ahead. The Georgia signal caller noted there may be some changes in the way he prepares, but the bulk of his routine will remain the same.

“I guess it would change, but watching a good bit of the previous game,” Bennett said.

“But as far as the schedule and what I’m going to watch day to day, no, that’s not going to change. And to answer your question, no, I’ve never, I don’t believe, played the same team twice in a season. But preparation is going to be the same. The respect’s going to be the same. How we go about our day to day is going to be the same. That’s what’s got us here, and that’s what we’re going to stick with.”

Kirby Smart praises Stetson Bennett after Orange Bowl win

The Georgia quarterback has been questioned all season, but he’s continued to silence the doubters.

Bennett, a former walk-on from Blackshear, Georgia, took the reins as Georgia’s starter early this season while JT Daniels, the Bulldogs’ routine starter, nursed a lat injury. Bennett never gave up his starting spot, and he guided Georgia’s offense to a perfect regular season, including an SEC regular-season crown.

Still, it’s fair to note Stetson Bennett was unable to get the job done against Alabama in the SEC Championship, throwing for 340 yards and three touchdowns but adding two crucial interceptions. After his SEC Championship loss, Bennett had his fair share of skeptics heading into the Orange Bowl matchup against No. 2 Michigan.

He put those concerns to bed early in Friday night’s contest, as Georgia routed Michigan, 34-11, behind Bennett’s 20-of-30 performance, good for 313 yards and three touchdowns.

“I thought he performed at a really high level today,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said of Stetson Bennett after the win. “He’s been really focused the last couple weeks. I think it’s amazing to have a guy his age block out all the noise and just focus harder. It’s almost like every time he hears noise he just focuses harder on the game plan and what he has to do to execute. You look at some plays he made out there with his feet, they couldn’t account for his mobility and some of the plays he made with his feet, and just really proud of the way he prepped for this game.”

If Stetson Bennett can help lead the Georgia Bulldogs to a national title, his legacy will never be forgotten.