By: Brooks Thomason
In the previous two games, Georgia’s defense flipped to the exact opposite of what fans are used to.
October 17th will live in infamy for Kirby Smart’s 2026 Georgia team, and the Bulldogs also came close to the treacherous loss against a hot Alabama Crimson Tide team.
The defense struggled against the run, allowing 192 yards to Auburn and 161 to Auburn’s fierce rival. In what used to be a strong run defense throughout Smart’s tenure at Georgia, the run defense under defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann proved to be one of the main issues on this roster.
On Saturday, the old aphorism “everything comes in threes” rang in the minds of fans. With Jadan Baugh, one of college football’s premier running backs on the slate, most pundits predicted a heavy run game to open the pass game.
The Bulldogs’ defense flipped the script.
Fans felt shades of the dominant back-to-back national championship teams that were amazing against the run. For a team that was on its heels two weeks ago, all fears evaporated after the first half.
In the first half, Florida ran for 38 yards. Baugh picked up 15 in an inconsequential last play of the half.
In the turnover margin, it was good cooking for the Dawgs. Demello Jones intercepted Aaron Philo, a repeat of the Georgia 2023 State Championship game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Chris Cole Jones Jr’s fumble for six.
Schumann’s defense kept up the good momentum in the second half. After a controversial roughing the passer call to keep Florida’s offensive possession afloat, Braylon Conley sank the hopes of Gator fans with an interception on 2nd and goal.
Florida held onto their 480 (now 481) game-scoring streak with a Tramell Jones QB keeper to punch it into the endzone. A single blemish on the defensive record comes late.
Georgia held their border rivals to 48 yards rushing on 28 carries. The defense holds its third-lowest rushing total of the season (Tennessee State [10] and Arkansas [17]), but the fans felt it was the first truly strong rushing offense to be blanked.
For a team that received a lot of flak for their front seven not being strong enough on pursuit, they answered a lot of questions Saturday.
Georgia travels to Ole Miss on Nov. 7, where the Rebels have not lost a home game in over 2 years. It’ll be a rematch of the 2026 Sugar Bowl, where Ole Miss knocked off Georgia 39-34.
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