Georgia Football: Midseason Superlatives (Offense)

We’re at the halfway point of the College Football season with seven weeks down and seven weeks to go. Georgia couldn’t have done much better for itself up to this point, being ranked No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches polls with a 7-0 record, but the biggest games await the Bulldogs. In the midst of the bye week, DawgsHQ felt that it would be a great time to (figuratively) hand out some midseason awards. Today we cover the offense while the focus tomorrow will be on the defense.

Offensive MVP

Palmer: Stetson Bennett

For me, this one probably was the hardest award to give out. Brock Bowers has caught passes in every game this season and provided a spark for the run game too. Darnell Washington has done the same despite not having the gaudy yardage of touchdown totals that Bowers has. Both of them are freaks, but neither of them happens without a quarterback to deliver the ball to them. That’s why Stetson Bennett gets the offensive MVP for me. He hasn’t been perfect, but he’s been pretty darn good – especially earn in the season. And he hasn’t made costly mistakes either. Even in games where he wasn’t at his best, Bennett has helped Georgia get the job done offensively.

Rowe: Stetson Bennett

Brock Bowers is Georgia’s best offensive player but Stetson Bennett has had big games even when Bowers hasn’t been all that productive. He has done a good job of spreading the ball around and has been at his best in big moments. Bennett has also been quite productive on the ground. 

Top Freshman

Palmer: Branson Robinson

This is one that has come more recently, but it came at a time when Georgia needed him the most. Branson Robinson provided a physical presence in the run game for Georgia when the passing game just wasn’t getting it done. He stepped up when Kendall Milton went down and ran for the most yardage of any Bulldog back this season. It feels like bigger stuff is still ahead of Robinson, but what he’s done doesn’t go unnoticed.

Rowe: Dillon Bell

There aren’t many places to turn here but Dillon Bell has earned it. He hasn’t been ultra-productive but he has stepped in at a position where Georgia is banged up. Don’t look now but he’s also tied for the team lead in touchdown catches.

Best New Starter

Palmer: Broderick Jones

This might be cheating a little bit here because Broderick Jones started games last year, but I’ll run with it anyway. Jones has been incredibly consistent at left tackle. I said it all offseason, normally a new starter at that spot would be something to watch. Jones has made the transition with ease and its an afterthought that he’s in his first full season as a starter.

Rowe: Kenny McIntosh

Kenny McIntosh has been a part of the rotation for a few years now but now he’s the lead back. He didn’t get off to the best of starts running the football but he has turned it on since that Missouri game. He’s also Georgia’s leader in yards from scrimmage.

Biggest Surprise

Palmer: Xavier Truss

You can sense a little bit of a trend here with our picks for biggest surprise. Xavier Truss has cemented himself in the starting lineup and been one of the offensive linemen on the field the most for Georgia. When they do rotate, it’s more often than not on the right hand side and Truss has stayed in. I wasn’t sure of what he’d be coming into the season, but he’s proving to be a player for Georgia at the line of scrimmage.

Rowe: Xavier Truss

I was a little surprised when Xavier Truss won the starting left guard job coming out of camp. I’m more surprised that he has held on to it. Truss could be mentioned as the most improved but I’m placing him here because I looked at him as more of a depth piece. Now I see him as one of UGA’s most consistent performers in the trenches. 

Most Improved

Palmer: Daijun Edwards

Folks that have been with us for a while now might remember that Jake Reuse called me a Daijun Edwards hater because of how I would often leave him out when talking about Georgia’s running back rotation last season. Well, there’s no leaving him out now. Edwards, for my money, is Georgia’s most reliable running back. Going from fifth in the pecking order to first, that’s got him as most improved in my book.

Rowe: Darnell Washington

Darnell Washington has always been good but his health and involvement have helped him contribute so much more. He’s the team’s third leading receiver and his best football appears to be ahead of him.