How Bout Them Dawgs?! Our Take On The 2023 Georgia Football Season

Before we get things started, I’d like to introduce my best friend who will be helping with this post by sharing something from her own Dawg Fan story.

Hello There!! I’m Mary Claire, I’m sixteen, and I’ve been a Georgia fan for a long time! I’m super excited to be a part of Summer’s post and talk about something we’re both passionate about!!!

NOW, LET’S GET THINGS STARTED!!!

There are so many versions of the college football rankings out there. But what would be your version?

(Mary Claire)

“Of course I’ve done my research and these are the top five college football teams in my opinion:

1. Georgia

Everyone said they couldn’t win the national championship again after losing some of their best players last year. But they did. Will they be able to stand their ground once again despite losing more core members of the team this season?

2. Ohio State

With a great season last year, but the defeats from the two biggest teams still haunting them, will they step up to the plate and win against the best teams this season?

3. Michigan

With a loss to a team that Georgia proved to be an unworthy opponent, we’ll see if their revenge will be enough to carry them to the finish line this season.

4. Alabama

With losses against unlikely teams last year, many believe they won’t return to their former glory. Will they continue to fall into the shadows, or rise from the ashes?

5. LSU

With some good luck but also crushing defeats from last year, we’ll see if they continue to step up to the plate and improve their game this season.”

(Summer) “That’s really hard because of course as a fan, I wanna put my team on top. But I also don’t wanna lie. To be honest, I hardly keep up with other teams. Really just Georgia and what DawgNation posts about other teams. But from watching the past few years…I have an idea of a good ranking for 2023. So here is the top five teams!

1 Georgia

2 Ohio

3 Alabama

4 Michigan

5 LSU

I know this may look like a strange ranking. But there’s only so much I know about other teams. I put Georgia at the top. I just feel like we’ve done an amazing job the past few years and I don’t think Kirby Smart and the Dawgs are slowing down now. I put Ohio at number 2 simply because of the reason that they were the only team last season that could have beat us and not by luck. I think they're just a good team (Although it was clear that Georgia was having a bad day). Alabama is at 3 not because they’re always at the top of rankings but because they’ve beat us many times and have proved to be a constant top team in how they play. They would have been at number two except for the reason that Ohio looked to have a better season in 2022. Michigan is at number 4 simply because they've been near the top the past few years and have played some good games to get there (they made it far enough to play us in the orange bowl in 2021). And I put LSU up there simply because we played them in the SEC championship and they were able to score thirty points. Alright, on to the next question!”

If Georgia makes it to the CFP, who would they be playing? Or who would you want them to play?

(Mary Claire) “Of course it’s impossible to tell, but if I could pick the two best teams (in my opinion) to play against Georgia, it would be Ohio State and Alabama. But we’ll see who has what it takes to make it to the CFP.”

(Summer) “I agree. There’s no way to know who will play in the CFP and who will win. If I wanted it to be the easiest win, I’d like us to play TCU again lol. But I like a tougher game when it’s a championship (especially after watching us play Ohio in the peach bowl. one of my favorite games). But a championship vs Alabama, like that first championship I witnessed in 2021. That game was a dream. It was a little on edge some, but it was a special game and its something to remember. So, I think I’d like if we played Alabama or Ohio for a tough win. But I also think that if the Dawgs make it to the CFP like I believe they will, it would probably be Ohio or Alabama that we play.”

How do Georgia’s new recruits rank among the other teams new recruits?

(Mary Claire) “It’s no surprise that Alabama has the highest number of committed recruits, sitting at 28. Even though that is true, Georgia is not far behind with 26. Although Georgia is only two behind, they have four three star players while Alabama has one. Of course that doesn’t mean too much, sense we’ve seen many players peak in college rather than high school, but Alabama also has four more five star players than Georgia. With all that being said, Alabama is in first when it comes to recruiting. Georgia comes second, but a surprising third is Texas. Ranked eleventh team overall, Texas has 25 really good players committed to the team. Of course we have no idea how this will affect the 2023 season, but that is the top three teams when it comes to recruiting.

(Summer) Honestly, I haven’t paid much attention to other teams and I don’t know of all our new recruits. But from what I know, Georgia has got some amazing new players for this year and for next year too. I know we’ve fought with Alabama, Tennessee and some of the top teams for some of the best players in the 2023 class. But I feel like we’ve got plenty of talent in Athens. So I think Georgia has some of the best new recruits, if not the best.”

Do you like how the home games and away games are set up?

(Mary Claire) “The first four games are set to be played at Stanford Stadium. This is something I’m excited about and think will be a good start to the season for the Dawgs. September 30th the Dawgs will be hosted by Auburn, but after that it’s right back home to play Kentucky. The next two games, Vanderbilt and Florida, will be away games, followed by two home games against Missouri and Ole Miss. I feel like this is a good back and forth for the Dawgs, even though I know fans will follow them no matter what stadium they play in. The Dawgs will face Tennessee in their next away game, but their last regular season game will be against Georgia Tech in Atlanta. I am interested to see how the Dawgs performance will change based not only on who they are playing but where they are playing.”

(Summer) “I like the schedule a lot. I like that we should have a few late afternoon games and I like how we start the season playing some easier teams so that we can kinda get back into the rhythm and play in real games and not just practice. I agree with you on how it seems to trade back and forth pretty well between home and away games. Now we’ve got to find this 2023 team’s working rhythm. And it’s nice to have some easy teams to play between all the tougher games. It’s a nice break for the dawgs. I like the rival games and those games that are just closer but it’s also nice to have those easy games sometimes because us fans need breaks too lol. If you watch a game like I do, those nail biter games can wear you out sometimes, but I never give out of energy, the cheering and support for my team. So yeah, I like how the season is looking.”

What’s the top five players you see having an impact on the 2023 season for the Dawgs?

(Summer Reaves) “Obviously our starting Quarterback will have a great impact on the team and how we are able to score. Another impact would be our placekicker and whatever guy ends up stepping up to the plate. Our kickers in the past have done great jobs but a lot of pressure comes when the game depends on your field goal. Then we have two big and known names in Brock Bower’s and Ladd McConkey. They are going to be desperately needed this season. And I know we’re gonna need our defense to step up and I think one of those impact players will be Kamari Lassiter. But I know that every player has an impact within this team and every game.”

What’s the biggest hole gonna be to fill in the team?

(Mary Claire) “The first thing that comes to mind is the amount of amazing defensive players we’ve lost to the NFL. Of course we all know that didn’t stop the Dawgs last season, but this year we’re starting absolutely fresh. We’ll see how our defense ranks to the last two years’ defenses. Another is our quarterback. Bennett is out, Beck is in. No going back now. Carson has a lot to fill now that he has been decided the best quarterback for the team. We’ll see if he can take on the big undertaking of leading the Georgia football offense.”

(Summer Reaves) “I am gonna have to go with the Quarterback and our Placekicker / Punter. I think those are gonna be two of the biggest holes to fill in this team. We have been blessed with an awesome QB and an amazing Placekicker the past few seasons but now they're off to the NFL and we’ve got shoes to fill. We had a QB that could run and throw. He would lead the team with confidence and give every player a chance to be great. And then we hade a placekicker who was also our punter. So you’ve now gotta fill all three of those positions. I feel like our offense has just slowly been working their way to the top and I think we’ve still got great talent there, but still some holes to fill. And then you’ve got our defense. One that always seems to be on top but you know it isn’t easy to keep that going and I know we’ve lost some of our best defensive players to the portal, the draft, and trading teams. It’s gonna be crazy but I know we have what it takes to create a whole new top ranked team…And it’s gonna be fun!“

Who do you think will win the Eastern and the Western conference games?

(Mary Claire) “Georgia and Alabama. First of all these two teams have the amazing players they need to win this tough feat. Not only that but they have some of the best coaches as well. There are some other great football teams out there, but judging from the past, these two teams consistently have some of the best records. Maybe that will all change this season, but I sure do love an old school face off between the Dawgs and the Crimson Tide.”

(Summer Reaves) “Well, first let’s check out the teams we got here. With the western division you’ve got Texas A&M, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Now for the eastern division you’ve got Missouri, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. Let’s just point out the top teams. For the western side you’ve got top teams like Mississippi State but with LSU and Alabama fighting over the crown. But for the Eastern you’ve got top teams like Kentucky, Missouri, and South Carolina but then you got Georgia and Tennessee competing for the crown. I believe Alabama is tired of getting left out of those top Dawg wins and they really want to step their game up. So yeah, I honestly think the elephant is gonna be the one wearing that western conference game crown at the end of the season. Now for the eastern, in a way it’s easy but also hard in another. I know Tennessee wants to ruin Georgia’s season like they thought they were going to last year and they’ll be tough to beat. but all I can do is believe in my team. So 100% I am believing in my team to win our conference game. No matter what this season holds, we are now and forever top Dawgs and we are not giving up. The bulldogs want that crown. And they want an even bigger one with something sweet and simple written on it….Three-peat.”

What will Georgia’s greatest challenge be this season, either in the team or the games?

(Mary Claire) “When I think of the last few seasons I remember the close games we had. No matter how much it looked like we would lose, the players never gave up. This is the kind of determination our Dawgs need to have again this season. Keeping in mind that Georgia has a basically brand new team this year, I just hope all these new players won’t have to learn about perseverance the hard way.”

(Summer Reaves) “Well there are many things that could be seen as a challenge for this team but I know this team gets stronger because they don’t give up and instead learn from the tough games. I would say a challenge would be our QB room and our Punter/Placekicker room. And it’s true that it will be a challenge to replace Stetson Bennett IV, someone that could run and pass the ball all day long without stopping, to win a game (that was proved in the peach bowl vs Ohio and the National Championship vs TCU. Two very different games.). It’s no doubt gonna be hard to replace Jack Podlesny, (the guy that was kicking and punting for the bulldogs almost two seasons). It’s gonna be a challenge to replace these guys and that’s why you don’t try to replace them. You honestly can’t replace players like this that have worked so hard to make this team what it is today. You just have to find those next players that will work just as hard to get this team to the next level. I have heard good things about our next QBs, Place-kickers, and Punters but it’s important that we remember we aren’t replacing anyone. The players that have left for the NFL will always be Bulldogs. Now it’s the next generation of players and fans turn to build the team up like the generation before did. I also remember the past two seasons and how we played the lower ranked teams. Sometimes we should have beat them big but it would seem like we were'n’t trying. I know that isn’t true but we need to remember we have to play hard against every team. There’s so many challenges in football and in a team that I can see just from the tv on Saturdays, I can only imagine what it’s like from the sidelines and on the field. I know it’s gonna be a challenge to face Tennessee. Everyone knows how much they wanna beat Georgia. But Tennessee doesn’t know how bad we wanna beat them again. They deserved it last year after their fans leaked our Quarterback’s phone number and we’ll see if they deserve it again this year. Then there’s another challenge in the way of our three-peat dreams….The Crimson Tide. My guess is we’ll be meeting them on the field this season for a showdown whether that’s in the SEC, a playoff game, or the National Championship game. Our team isn’t the same as last year but neither is Alabama’s. So as long as our 2023 team is up for the challenge I have no doubt it’s gonna be a showdown. but one that we can win if we remember what we have done in the past as a team.”

What Bulldog has got the best chance for the Heisman?

(Mary Claire) “I believe that Brock Bowers has the biggest chance of receiving the Heisman title. Not only do I think this, but many players on the team also think Brock has amazing talent that no one else on the team has. Of course another bulldog could at any time step up to the plate, but because the season hasn’t started yet and I haven’t seen many new players play, I chose Brock.”

(Summer Reaves) “Well, anyone from any team could win it. But if we’re talking about Georgia. There’s always a chance that the Quarterback could win it but I don’t know all that much about this year’s QB. But the obvious answer to this question…..Brock Bower’s. I know it. you know it. Every Georgia fan knows it. We all know it. We knew it his freshmen year. The talent was just there. He’s had two amazing seasons and every fan is waiting to see him have another awesome season (sadly that being his last year at Georgia). So Bower’s is one of the most capable of winning the Heisman. But He’s not the only one. Ladd McConkey has been highly underrated (especially coming out of high school. He was like a 3-star Reciever. No worries now. Everyone sees why he’s a starter for the bulldogs. He catches the craziest passes and makes almost every play explosive. He’s got real talent and I believe he’s right there with Bower’s for a chance at winning the Heisman.”

How would you look back on the 2022 team before stepping into the 2023 season without some of our Dawgs?

(Mary Claire) “No matter what has happened in the past year, I always look forward to the new football season. As we all know Georgia lost some really good players to the NFL, but that shouldn’t make anyone sad or dread the upcoming season. We still have an amazing team and it’s made up of so many talented individuals. Of course we will miss seeing some familiar names on jerseys, but we can still be excited to learn new names on the jerseys of the players who are now carrying the Georgia bulldogs football team.”

(Summer Reaves) “I couldn’t agree with you more. But I know as a person everyone is different, and that means no fan is the same. And for me, when you cheer for, pray for, and watch these players play a game they love for seasons, they become like family. You don’t know them but you love watching the same game that they love playing. And so when they graduate and leave the team, it’s kinda sad. And for me, I don’t watch NFL. And so I know I really won’t get to see them play again. And even more you're sad for them because you know they’ve dreamed about playing for Georgia and now they have lived that dream. I am not sad because I think our success left with them, it can be sad because you know that they’re not on the field the next time we find success. So yeah it can be sad thinking that they won’t be lining up on the field with the Dawgs on Saturdays. But they’ll always be DAWGS. And so no, I don’t let it ruin a new season of football. I’m way to excited for every season. And I know the players will always be coming and going and the team is gonna change. And that is completely fine because I cheer for the dawgs whether they're in Athens or in the NFL. I know I’ll have to keep up with the NFL somehow so that I can cheer those NFL Dawgs on. Last season is now great memories and dreams we’ve lived. But now we get to step into a new season of football and make history! And it’s true that you have cheered for these players so long and when they graduate they leave, but then new players step onto the field and you start cheering for them and it just goes on. So it honestly is nice that after a few seasons, suddenly the team is new and now the new guys get a chance to win big playing for the Dawgs. Everyone gets their chance and that’s how it should be. It’s not like I forget those I’ve cheered for, but I’m gonna enjoy seeing new faces and cheering them on too. It’s a family of Dawgs. We don’t forget them. Honestly at first after last season when they were all graduating I think I thought it was gonna be a little more sad. But honestly it isn’t when you think of how they are now chasing careers or making their way in the NFL. I guess though it can be sad because it just shows you how time passes by and people grow up. So to sum it all up. Yeah, the past few seasons have been awesome and I’ll miss those players that have worked so hard and I’ll be cheering them on in the NFL. But I know this 2023 season is gonna be awesome because we still have awesome players and they’ve had some great players to look up to. Sometimes I may think back and relive those thrilling games. But I’m gonna look ahead to this awesome season and cheer on these incredible players. I’m so excited for this team! I love all of these dawgs and I’m a Georgia fan for life!”

Thank you for reading our fun post! It’s obvious I can talk anyones ear off about football but these posts and when I talk to my best friend is when I get to talk about all of it. And so it all comes out like a flood. I was so thankful to have Mary Claire’s opinions and thoughts about our 2023 season. I hope yall enjoyed the post and will check out some other posts. Check out my blog Saturdays or Sundays for opinions or reviews on the games. God Bless and Go Dawgs!

By Mary Claire Dukes and Summer Reaves