Stetson’s gauntlet

It’s a fun, albeit misleading, stat:  In 2022, Georgia faces last season’s nos. 121 and 122 in defensive passing yardage in Georgia Tech and Tennessee, respectively.  It’s misleading because, in the case of the latter, the Vol defense is on the field more than most teams’ because of the way its offense runs.

But it did make me wonder what sort of defensive passer ratings the twelve D-1 defenses Georgia faces this year generated in ’21.  Here’s how each did, along with their national ranking:

• Oregon:  127.01 (42)
• South Carolina:  123.86 (30)
• Kent State:  136.49 (74)
• Missouri:  146.59 (105)
• Auburn:  136.73 (76)
• Vanderbilt:  151.29 (114)
• Florida:  124.90 (33)
• Tennessee:  132.55 (63)
• Mississippi State:  137.93 (82)
• Kentucky:  137.65 (79)
• Georgia Tech:  173.30 (130)

Okay, so it wasn’t misleading with regard to the Jackets.  They sucked on pass defense, and judging from this…

After a mass exodus this offseason, Georgia Tech only has three returning starters on defense, one of whom is cornerback Zamari Walton. The Yellow Jackets added five secondary players from the portal in hopes of quickly retooling and help the defense make legitimate strides forward.

… are likely to do so again.

That being said, with 130 being considered the average passer rating, there’s a whole bunch of mediocrity staring Stetson Bennett in the face this season.  (Not to mention in the cases of Missouri, Vandy and Tech, some downright awfulness.)  While I would expect improvement in certain quarters — Oregon being one — Stetson isn’t going to get thrown into a situation in the opener like Daniels was last season, facing a Clemson pass defense that finished fifth nationally in defensive passer rating (110.07).