The Georgia Bulldogs have faced tough exits in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals for the past two seasons, with Gunner Stockton at the helm as quarterback. For the Dawgs to reclaim their spot atop college football, a notable alum believes Stockton needs to elevate his game.
On a recent episode of the Mac & Murray CFB Show, former Georgia player and ESPN analyst David Pollack shared his thoughts, asserting that the Bulldogs' championship hopes hinge on Stockton's improvement. Pollack's focus is on the mental side of Stockton's game, rather than his physical abilities.
“If Gunner Stockton’s the same quarterback he was a year ago, Georgia has no chance to win a national title. They have no chance,” Pollack stated.
“I saw him grow. I saw him put more touch on the football… it’s more personality driven with Gunner Stockton than anything.
He’s a kid that doesn’t want to mess up… wants to be perfect. Those are hard things, man.”
Pollack’s analysis suggests Stockton might be playing it too safe, akin to a coach playing not to lose instead of playing to win. Aiming for perfection can limit a quarterback's willingness to take deep shots, leading to long drives that leave little room for error. Georgia's narrow victories over Auburn and Florida highlight this challenge.
However, Stockton's performance against Tennessee, where he threw for over 300 yards, demonstrates his potential to air it out when necessary. If he can strike a balance between being a gunslinger and maintaining his current conservative approach, the Bulldogs could be well on their way to reclaiming their championship status.