Georgia’s Toughest Tests in 2024: Opposing Defenses

Georgia faces one of the toughest schedules in the country in 2024, and that means some challenges for the Bulldogs on both sides of the ball. After getting a feel for what Georgia’s defense is up against this season with a look at the toughest offenses it’ll face, we flip things over and think about opponent’s defenses. With Carson Beck at quarterback, a physical offensive line and depth at the important skill positions, the Bulldogs will be tough to defend. Who has the best chance at doing so? We dive in on that today.

Clemson

It might not get tougher than the first test Georgia’s offense will face. Opening against Clemson in Atlanta on August 31st, the Bulldogs square off against a unit that finished top-10 in the nation for total defense in 2023 and returns several key pieces.

Barrett Carter is expected to be one of the nation’s best linebackers as the former five-star enters his final season. He’s got a potential freshman superstar Sammy Brown to take under his wing while the likes of Peter Woods and TJ Parker try to build on strong showings in their own first years on campus.

Clemson lost six players to the NFL Draft from this past season. Five were on the defensive side of the ball. However, maybe at a lesser extent to Georgia, the Tigers are consistently reloading instead of rebuilding as they get the next group ready to play up to the standard.

Alabama

Nick Saban may be gone, but the cupboard is far from bare in Tuscaloosa. The legendary head coach leaves behind a group he would’ve enjoyed working with once again in 2024, even with several notable departures.

Caleb Downs, Dallas Turner and others won’t be there. New defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and his swarm defense will instead have to work with Deonte Lawson and Jihaad Campbell manning the middle of to field while Tim Scott, Jehiem Oatis hold down the line of scrimmage. On the back end, Malachi Moore is going to be a captain of the defense given his experience. Adding Keon Sabb from Michigan helps, and guys like DaShawn Jones (Wake Forest), Domani Jackson (USC) and King Mack (Penn State) are other names to know out of the transfer portal. Combine all of that with the talent Saban has traditionally brought in on an annual basis and there’s no doubt the defense has the potential to be among the nation’s best. It’s now just about getting the players to gel under new direction.

Texas

Looking at Texas and what the Longhorns were trying to get out of the transfer portal, it’s obvious they were like several others in the country: in strong pursuit of interior defensive linemen. Losing two to the NFL Draft, it’s not quite as obvious who the key cogs will be up front. However, elsewhere, there’s reason to be confident.

Trey Moore was a big pickup out of the portal at EDGE. The AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, Moore recorded a school-record 14 sacks at UTSA. He had 18 tackles for loss in 2022 and followed that up with 17.5 in 2023. As he makes the jump to the SEC, all eyes will be on him.

To a lesser extent, the same is true for Andrew Mukuba of Clemson. He too adds to the talent that’ll take the field for Texas when the Longhorns and Bulldogs go at it in October. Anthony Hill and David Gbenda combined for 117 tackles last season at linebacker, and the five-star Hill has a chance to potentially hit that number on his own this year. All in all, it’s a formidable unit for Georgia to face. While Texas might lack the game wreckers up front it had last season, don’t count on seeing the Longhorns struggle either.

First Toughest Out

Auburn – This is an interesting one. The Tigers haven’t necessarily been lock down on defense, giving up 48 to LSU, 31 to Maryland and 31 to New Mexico State. However, Auburn’s strong performances have been impressive, giving teams like Alabama and Georgia trouble at times. Offense has been Auburn’s bigger issue it seems – especially at the quarterback spot. So, to stay in games, the defense has a lot of pressure on it. Jalen McLeod, Keionte Scott and Kayin Lee are names to know. Eugene Asante returns after leading Auburn in tackles, and there’s several young players that are primed for breakout seasons. Don’t be surprised if the Tigers end up with a much improved unit in 2024.

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