The Peach Bowl vs Georgia will be Ryan Day’s fifth game at the helm of our offense with a month to prepare for a game. 

I wanted to see how our offense started each game because that is when most of the scripted plays based on film study and game plan are deployed.

Here is Day’s track record: 

2018 Rose Bowl vs Washington

Three touchdowns in first six drives. Ended the first half up 21-3.

UW’s defense was legit that year.

• Washington was ranked #5 in Team Defense
• 8/11 defensive starters drafted to NFL
• Blue Chippers: Byron Murphy Jr. and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

2019 Fiesta Bowl vs Clemson

Scored on four of first five drives. Went up 16-0.

It’s still painful to revisit this game…

Day was absolutely coaching circles around Dabo and Venables to start this game. That fake look to the sideline, QB sneak was pure genius. 

• Clemson was ranked #3 in Team Defense
• 7/11 defensive starters drafted to NFL
• Blue Chippers: AJ Terrell and Isaiah Simmons

2020 Sugar Bowl vs Clemson

Five touchdowns on the first six drives. Ended first half up 35-14.

Sweet, sweet revenge.

• Clemson was ranked #18 in Team Defense.
• 7/11 defensive starters were or will be drafted to NFL
• Blue Chippers: Andrew Booth Jr. and Bryan Bresee

2021 Rose Bowl vs Utah

683 Total Yards and 48 Points (Rose Bowl and school record)

CJ Stroud: 573 yards and 6 TDs (both school records)

JSN: 347 yards (FBS bowl record) and 3 TDs

Utah was pretty banged up in the secondary, and it was a slow start, but still. It’s a historically legendary offensive performance no matter how you slice it.

• Utah was ranked #34 in Team Defense.
• Blue Chippers: Devin Lloyd and Clark Phillips II

2022 Peach Bowl vs Georgia

Performance TBD

• Georgia is ranked #2 in Team Defense
• Blue Chippers: Jalen Carter and Kelee Ringo

Conclusion

Day has gotten our offense off to a fast start every single time he has a month to prepare (except against Utah, ironically, although the offensive explosion quickly commenced thereafter). All against the elite defenses of CFB.

If Ryan Day can build a multi-possession lead early, we will likely win this game. Georgia’s offense is not built to come from behind.

Stetson Bennett and his WRs are the Achilles heel of this Georgia team. Other than Ladd McConkey (who is dealing with a significant knee injury), no WR on Georgia has more than 400 yards receiving on the season.

Bennett is very similar in play style and statistics to 2014 Blake Sims. Both are excellent college QBs with clear physical limitations. Those limitations show up the most in uncomfortable, pressure situations.

Bennett will make mistakes if 1) we make him play from behind and 2) he starts to press and force it to his inexperienced WRs.

If we can force Bennett into the 2022 version of the Steve Miller pick six, it will go a long way towards pulling off the upset. Speaking a JT Tuimoloau pick six into existence.

Go Bucks!