Georgia vs Ohio State: Who has the edge in the Peach Bowl?

ATLANTA, Ga. — Football, more than ever, is a matchup game. It’s about having the capability to exploit a teams weakness and accomplishing it via execution. Many say Ohio State is a bad matchup for Georgia. Now, in fairness, most of them aren’t saying that the Bulldogs will struggle against the Buckeyes. They’re simply saying that Ryan Day’s team is built better than most to give Kirby Smart’s team headaches.

We’d certainly agree with that over at DawgsHQ. Ohio State is a talented football team and Georgia had better enter Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday ready for a fist fight. But let’s look at this thing one more time on paper, shall we? DawgsHQ is looking at five key areas to determine who has the edge.

When Ohio State runs it…

It really sucks that TreVeyon Henderson isn’t going to play in this game. He’s a dynamic back who is a treat to watch. It hurts the Buckeyes here but Miyan Williams is a fantastic player. He’ll test how well the Bulldogs are tackling, that’s for sure. The Buckeyes are solid up front but Georgia seems to have the edge in that regard. The Bulldogs also have fast linebackers who pursue well at the second level and that’s why it has been so effective against the run. The Buckeyes are good at running it but Georgia is borderline elite at stopping it. Edge: Georgia

When Georgia runs it…

Ohio State is good against the run. It has guys who create hard edges, keeping things inside the tackles a large portion of the time. The Buckeyes also have downhill thumpers who strike and tackle well. The numbers look good but you also have to consider that the average rushing attack Ohio State has faced this season is around No. 80 nationally. Georgia runs it really well and it does it in a variety of ways. The receivers and tight ends get involved. The Bulldogs attack the edges and play bully ball inside. Edge: Georgia

When Ohio State throws it…

CJ Stroud is a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist for a reason. He gets the ball out quickly and accurately a large portion of the time. Stroud has great touch downfield and he has tremendous trust in his receivers. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka don’t have to be open to torch your defense. They can go get it against the best of the best. The Buckeyes also have receivers they can run in to help take the top off the defense. Georgia’s secondary has been elite at times and lackluster at times. It completely lost focus and got torched in the second half of the SEC Championship game. It’s too inconsistent to pick in this matchup. The X-Factor here is obviously pressure. If Georgia can get it, watch out. IF. Edge: Ohio State

When Georgia throws it…

Ohio State isn’t very good against the pass. The numbers aren’t horrible but they also haven’t been challenged. Georgia will present the most versatile passing attack the Buckeyes have seen all season. Todd Monken often uses Brock Bowers as a pressure point and reacts to the reaction. Well now he has both Ladd McConkey and AD Mitchell at his disposal and that’s massive. Keep an eye on Darnell Washington as well. Again, pressure is a big factor. The Bulldogs must hold up at the tackle positions. Edge: Georgia

Georgia vs. Ohio State special teams…

It’s pretty wild how comparable these teams are on special teams. Statistically, they’re really similar in terms of place-kicking, punting, punt return, kick return, and defending kickoffs. It’s rare that either team allows a punt return but Ohio State has done a better job of defending it than Georgia, which gave up a long one for a touchdown against Mississippi State. Edge: Push

Overall…

Georgia is favored by 6.5 point for a reason. The Bulldogs are playing in a familiar place and close to home. They’ve been the more complete team this season and that shows here. Ohio State will come out fighting because it has been brooding over a loss for the past month. Kirby Smart’s team had better have its jaw set and it normally does. Edge: Georgia