Georgia defense bending some, breaking even less in red area
It’s easy to look at the Georgia defense in 2022 and marvel at how successful they’ve been despite seeing so many talented players go pro. To have an above average defense after losing eight starters, five of which went in the first round, would be impressive in its own right. But to lose all of the players that they lost and be playing the level of red zone defense that they are currently playing? Well, that should just be criminal.
The Bulldogs’ defense epitomizes “bend-don’t-break,” but it should be noted that they also don’t bend very often. So far this season, Georgia is tied for allowing the fourth fewest red zone appearances to opposing teams with 21. Michigan, Ohio State, and Minnesota are the only teams to allow less.
In those 21 appearances in the red zone, the Bulldogs have allowed six total touchdowns (three passing and three rushing). Divide six by 21, and the 29% TD rate for opposing teams puts Georgia as the best red zone defense in all of College Football. The next closest team to the Bulldogs is Boise State, who is currently allowing a 36% TD rate.
With the Bulldogs giving up eight red zone field goals on the year, opposing teams typically only leave Georgia’s red zone with points an average of two out of every three appearances, which ranks as the third lowest in all of College Football. On average, teams are scoring just over 3.0 points per appearance.
During Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, Kirby Smart explained why the Bulldogs have been so effective in the red zone this year.
“Red zone defense doesn’t change year to year,” Smart said when asked how they’ve been so affective in the red zone despite losing so much. “It requires a lot of the same things, understanding position on the field, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the offense, tendencies, denying anybody the ability to run it in. Getting good at run stop defense because it shows up more in the red area than anywhere else.”
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On Tuesday, Georgia linebacker Chaz Chambliss gave his reasoning for the Bulldogs’ dominance so far, as well as a new phrase for Georgia fans to know.
“We always call it ‘putting out the fire,'” Chambliss said. “We know that when the offense gets a turnover or something goes bad on special teams, we are able to respond. We get better the tougher it gets. When it is in the red area, it gets tougher. We have gotten better at that.”
For what it’s worth, Georgia offense has been pretty successful in the red zone too. The Bulldogs have scored on 55 of their 56 trips inside the 20 with the last stop coming on a missed field goal in the second game of the season against Samford.
Georgia’s claim to calling the red zone the “red and black zone” will be put to the test against Kentucky this Saturday. Kickoff time from Kroger Field in Lexington between the Bulldogs and Wildcats is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
