Georgia and Kirby Smart have come far from their long-lingering Carson Beck issues last season. But as we are inching closer to another shot, they have a new doubt brewing. Can Gunner Stockton get the job done under the center? The most important QB position hinges on a lot of factors that need to be thoroughly addressed before we can safely bet a dime. Kirby Smart showcased a lot of faith in his new ace in the hole, saying he wished he had more Gunner Stockton on this team. But remember when he used to hype up Carson Beck after every failure, and it reached nowhere at the end? Yes, exactly. Take it with a grain of salt.
Stockton is yet to get the starting gig as the Georgia QB1 formally for 2025. That won’t possibly happen until the preseason camp kicks off. But he is testing the waters, making all the early splashes in the practice field. He has been making himself more accustomed to the Georgia offense this offseason. Stockton has already shown some flashes of brilliance with his feet against the historic Sugar Bowl against the Fighting Irish but couldn’t snag the win. The Notre Dame defense was all over the Dawgs offense, making no room for an error. Stockton completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown.
His one pair of fumbles and negative 23 yards raised questions about his longevity in the Georgia starting role, but let’s not forget that the kid jumped onto the rope of a top role with a very limited rep under his belt. Sure, he had deep, long ties with the school, but not reps. That’s where the dead trap lies. Gunner Stockton is starting at quarterback here.
Analyst Josh Pate broke down the huge uncertainty factor surrounding the new QB sensation. “Stockton’s a really good athlete, but he’s also a mystery. He’s a mystery until he proves something. Now, if you’re at practice every day, I heard he had a really good scrimmage this past weekend. That’s wonderful, and I expect them to get pretty good quarterback play.” Pate continued, “I don’t think you’ll ever watch Georgia just be horrific at quarterback, but if we’re asking if they’re going to improve off winning the SEC, I think it’s more likely that they take a step back than they take a step forward.”
The defending SEC champions look a bit unsettled this year. Pate said they are not even halfway to the 2024 outlook, production-wise, this year. They have to undergo a major reshuffle in the offensive line going forward. Despite Mike Bobo’s alignment with Stockton, his past woes continue to spread doubts about their hopes for an SEC championship win for the second consecutive year.
However, ESPN chooses the Bulldogs as a potential SEC trophy winner this year. They had thrown for just 136 yards in that game against Texas and still won the card. It will be interesting to see if Stockton can hit that ceiling, given all the other factors work in his favor. But again, Paul Finebaum, just like Pate, doesn’t seem convinced about Georgia’s 2025 growth.
Paul Finebaum cuts down expectations for the new Georgia
Paul Finebaum didn’t comment on their SEC fate, but the SEC Network journalist doesn’t consider Georgia a national title contender. Well, it’s no longer just confined to the Mike Bobo issues. He offered a sharper, wider criticism of the team as a whole.
“I don’t feel great because I do think they (the Georgia Bulldogs) took a dip,” Finebaum said. “And I think just like we used to with Nick Saban, expect him to play for the national championship, and losing the title game felt like a lost cause. It’s almost that way now with Georgia, and I felt like they underperformed. I mean, they came through at the right moment against Texas, but they had so many disappointing moments.”
It’s really hard to argue. Smart and his squad really divulged a lot of loopholes that the opponents can easily manipulate and knock them out early in the contest—well, a national championship contest, though. Because Paul thinks they still have the momentum to reach the playoffs, though. Previously, he bashed the head coach for being extra loyal to the OC and pointed out Stockton’s average showdown.
Paul Finebaum, however, still trusts Smart. So, if Georgia finds a way to come up with some quick fixes to their glaring issues this season, maybe, maybe, they will be in the game for a little longer than expected.
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