The folks at Athlon get together to discuss the outcome of the Cocktail Party and the conclusion, based on stats like these…
… The Dawgs ranked in the top 40 in FBS last season in each of the five defensive metrics I look at closest: yards per play (10th), points per drive (26th), success rate (33rd), expected points added per play (34th), and yards per pass attempt (39th). The Gators ranked no better than 62nd (points per drive), and as low as No. 102 (EPA/play). Georgia also ranks No. 2 nationally in average 247Sports rating on its current roster (.9355, including transfers and other departures), and ranks in the top six nationally in every position group, including No. 1 at running back (.9548) and linebacker (.9645). In CFB Winning Edge Roster Strength, which adjusts 247Sports’ raw talent projections for experience and career production, Georgia has the No. 1 offense, No. 2 defense and No. 1 overall roster. Florida is very talented as well, but the Gators rank No. 8 in average 247Sports rating (.9120), and the gap between Florida and the Bulldogs is larger than the distance between the Gators and No. 19 North Carolina (.8921). Florida ranks 15th at quarterback (.9384) and offensive line (.8872), and 16th among defensive back units (.8937). Weighted for experience and production, Florida ranks No. 12 in Roster Strength with the No. 15 offense and No. 6 defense – very good, but not elite.
… is that Georgia is a unanimous choice to prevail.
Of course, they didn’t take into account Dan Mullen’s assurance that Todd Grantham’s fixed the Gators’ defense, so maybe we should take those stats with a grain of salt. Or not.
Get The Picture 
I’m sure we had better averages and talent last year as well.
Unfortunately averages don’t cover the wheel route.
The numbers are interesting and definitely point to the same conclusion that common sense does, which is that when a team graduates a Heisman level quarterback and all American receiving corp and the other team returns most of their players, you expect the team with the returning talent and overall recruiting talent to win.
But what does that say if we don’t?
LikeLike
Sounds like you’re predicting a loss. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not at all.
The only game that I’d even consider marking an L on is Clemson until we hit postseason.
I’m just asking what if?
LikeLike
For me, that’s one of those “I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it” questions.
Although I will say should it happen, if nothing else, it should induce epic amounts of teeth gnashing here in the comments section. 😉
LikeLike
Meh, we were the walking wounded in defense, and literally had no D1 QB who could play. That said, we still almost got back into the game had we not dropped a pick 6 and if Mathis could have hit water from a boat.
I’m more bullish on Mullen than most here. I don’t think he’s elite, but he can scheme offense and is always going to be a tough out.
That said, I thin Kirby pours it on this year.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fair assessment.
Might’ve been a different game even a full-strength SBIV, even more so with JTD.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Certainly would have put more pressure on Mullen. But the defense was just such a mess that day. Add to that the refs were going to let the pick routes go and we never adjusted and we just had a rough go of it.
LikeLike
If Stetson and Jack Saint don’t get hurt last years outcome might have been different.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Injuries got us last year, before the game and during the game. Simple as that, shit happens.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Are there any Jimmy Mac recruits left who are buried on MuLLLen ‘s depth chart? Unless there are, and they get forced into starting roles due to injury, and they turn out to be great improvements over the displaced starter, I see problems for Los Handbags. Looking forward to a lot of pre-snap finger pointing and blown coverages by the Handbag secondary this year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grantham will always Grantham. #FTMF
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just know that Dildo Dan must take great comfort in that. He should send him flowers!
LikeLike
I submit that we won’t hear a lot from Dan in the off season. The man has a shit ton of whispering to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope Darth Dan continues to win 9 or 10 games a year – as long as one of them isn’t UGA.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t. FTMF
LikeLiked by 2 people
Clarify – I hope he doesn’t win 9 or 10 games. I hope he doesn’t win a single game.
LikeLiked by 4 people
PREACH!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I had a thing for Raquel Welch 30 years ago too, didn’t matter, wasn’t happening.
LikeLike
I hope he wins just enough games for the handbags to keep him in Hogtown for the foreseeable future. He (along with Grantham) is a gift that just keeps on giving. I would hate to lose him and have them potentially bring in a real coach.
LikeLike
Only grain of salt worth dealing with, is in my margarita…only salt concerning FU of any worthiness, will be in those gaytur tears of madness/sadness when the port-o-let master looses control of the program and their season sinks farther into irrelevancy or gap widening…
LikeLike
Just beat these guys please, our vaunted defense got absolutely carved up by an offense who didn’t need to or even attempt to run the ball.
LikeLiked by 1 person
#FTMF
LikeLiked by 5 people