The Daily Journal caught up with Georgia beat writer Jordan D. Hill of Dawgs247 to see what he considers the keys to the Ole Miss-Georgia matchup.

Carson Beck has turned the ball over a lot lately. What’s been the biggest issue with him and the offense as a whole this year? Is it really as simple as missing Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey?

When I look at the offense as a whole, I’d say the Bowers and McConkey piece is a big part of it. Georgia doesn’t have the firepower at receiver/tight end like it had a year ago, which has gone a long way in the offense scoring exactly 7 fewer points per game. Georgia has also been seriously thin at running back with Branson Robinson and Roderick Robinson out with injury, so that has made things more difficult.

A big piece of the drop in scoring has also been Beck being careless with the ball. There’s been times this season when a Beck interception was the product of a mistake by the intended target, but that was not the case Saturday against Florida. Beck forced two throws that were picked off in the first half in Jacksonville, and his third interception was bad timing when a Gators defender hit Beck as he attempted to throw the ball.

Beck is a better quarterback than he has played in the last two games, but the numbers are what they are. Georgia will not win a national title if Beck continues to be turnover prone, and I think he has to take a big step forward on Saturday in order for Georgia to come out with a win.

 

Georgia ran for 300 yards last year against Ole Miss. Is this version of Georgia capable of that type of running game? And what is the status/evaluation of Georgia’s offensive line?

Absolutely not. Georgia’s run game has been one of the big disappointments this season, and entering Saturday’s game the Bulldogs are next-to-last in the SEC in rushing yards per game (115.25) and average 4.48 yards per carry (ninth in the conference). Leading rusher Trevor Etienne has been a weapon both as a rusher and as a pass catcher, but even he has not been able to produce quite like many of us expected.

I’d say this Georgia offensive line is good in pass protection but underwhelming in the run game. It’s worth acknowledging that running the ball in the SEC is a difficult task, but it seems like Georgia’s running backs typically have no room to work with, especially on outside runs. Etienne has a habit of overcoming those issues and turning 2-3 yards into 6-7 yards runs. It feels like there’s been not enough explosive run plays as a result.

 

The defensive stats are great as always for the Bulldogs. How does this defensive group compare to some of the other recent ones that have been so prolific?

This defense has had its moments this season, but I don’t think it’s nearly as good as the dominant units in 2021 and 2022 or even last year’s version. The secondary had games to forget against Alabama and Mississippi State, and at times the pass rush has been surprisingly quiet. Tackling was a problem early in the season, though I think this group has finally worked past those issues.

Looking at Saturday’s game, the onus is on the pass rush to put together a game like it did at Texas. I’m watching defensive end Mykel Williams and linebacker Jalon Walker closely. If they show out, it bodes well for the Bulldogs.

 

What makes Malaki Starks so good? And who are other defensive players to keep an eye on?

Malaki Starks is incredibly athletic and has a high football IQ, which has made for a heck of a combination during his time as a Bulldog. Starks deserves credit for not only being a sure tackler but for also taking on snaps at Georgia’s STAR position, where he has shown himself to be reliable in man coverage.

I already mentioned Williams and Walker, who are by far Georgia’s most productive pass rushers. Elsewhere, pay attention to inside linebacker CJ Allen — who actually made his first career start last November against Ole Miss — and safety Dan Jackson.

 

What’s the vibe around the program right now? Georgia has one of the best wins of the year at Texas but did lose to Alabama and has had a couple of games that were closer than anticipated.

I think there’s some frustration about Beck’s play and the missed opportunities that resulted in his turnovers. I think Georgia beats Florida by at least three touchdowns if Beck doesn’t force the issue. Aside from that, I think the Bulldogs like where they are right now with four regular season games to go.

Having said that, I think Georgia recognizes there’s still more work to do. The Bulldogs understand they have to bring their A game to Oxford, and the home game next week against Tennessee won’t be a gimmie, either. I think Georgia still sees itself as one of the teams to beat this season. If it’s able to clean up some glaring issues, the Bulldogs will be in prime position to get the job done.

 

If Georgia is going to beat Ole Miss, ___ has to happen.

Top of the to-do list is cutting down turnovers, which is almost exclusively on Beck’s shoulders. Beck has forced throws in Georgia’s last two games, and the turnovers occurred at points when the veteran QB did not have to force the issue.

My other main keys are on defense. Georgia’s pass rush has to disrupt Jaxson Dart. I’m not sure if the Bulldogs can rack up 6 sacks like LSU did against Ole Miss back in October, but I think it will take similar production to get Dart off his game. Additionally, the Bulldogs have to limit the explosive plays. This secondary — Starks included — has given up its share of deep shots this season. If Ole Miss is going to vie for the upset, I think Dart has to get several of those chunk plays over the course of the action.