Georgia Prepares for Jadan Baugh with Lessons from Two Previous Victories

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart believes the answer to stopping Florida’s rushing attack lies in the playbooks of two teams that have already beaten the Gators this season. The No. 3 ranked Bulldogs will face the No. 17 ranked Florida team on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The contest carries weight for both the SEC championship race and College Football Playoff positioning.

Smart has stated directly that Georgia intends to focus heavily on limiting Florida tailback Jadan Baugh. Baugh leads the Gators on the ground with an average of 109 rushing yards per game. He carries the ball at a clip of 5.7 yards per attempt. The Bulldogs view the performances of Missouri and South Carolina against Florida as the primary blueprint for their defensive strategy.

Both Missouri and South Carolina secured victories over Florida largely by shutting down the run. South Carolina defensive coordinator Eric Arnett noted that the Gators did not gain outside rushing success in that game. He said the defense held Baugh to a modest output and prevented the team from establishing a physical identity. Arnett observed that Florida did not achieve the yardage totals they typically rely on when facing the South Carolina unit.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkell pointed to a similar defensive approach. He said his staff worked to keep the ball inside the tackles and limit the space available to the Florida backs. Drinkell noted that the Gators did not find the rhythm they usually have when their running game is neutralized. He emphasized that forcing Florida to rely on the pass created manageable situations for his defense.

Florida head coach Billy Napier acknowledged the difficulty of facing defenses that prioritize stopping the run. He said his team must handle the challenge without looking back. Napier noted that the team has had some good designs coming out of the game plan but that the execution is key. He stated that if the first two games went well, the team should not dwell on the past but rather focus on the next opponent.

Baugh himself said the team is ready for the challenge. He noted that the defense has done a good job of making it hard to find an open lane in previous losses. The tailback said he is confident in the team’s ability to adjust. He added that the offense will continue to work on its timing and formation to create more opportunities for the running game.

Georgia’s current defensive statistics show a team that is effective at limiting rushing production. The Bulldogs have allowed an average of 128 rushing yards per game to opponents. This number places them among the top defenses in the country for that specific metric. The team’s ability to stop the run at the line of scrimmage has been a defining feature of their season so far. Smart said the defense is capable and prepared for the specific look Florida will present.