Georgia’s Defense Peaking at the Right Time Ahead of Ole Miss Rematch
ATHENS - If you’re looking for a defense that’s rounding into form just when it matters most, look no further than Georgia. After a stretch of the season where the Bulldogs looked more vulnerable than we’re used to seeing, especially by their own sky-high standards, Glenn Schumann’s group has quietly - and steadily - transformed into one of the most dangerous units in the country.
Let’s be clear: there were some rough patches. Giving up 41 points to Tennessee, allowing Alabama to convert 13 times on third down, and surrendering touchdowns on the first five possessions against Ole Miss - those aren’t the kind of numbers you associate with a championship-caliber defense. But Schumann never wavered in his belief that this group would bounce back.
“Obviously there were a couple games there… that we did not perform to the expectations,” Schumann said. “But credit to the guys, their growth and their level of confidence and their focus on the task at hand.”
That belief wasn’t just coach-speak. It was backed up by action - and results.
Since that tough outing against Alabama, Georgia has allowed just 10 third-down conversions on 48 attempts. That’s a massive turnaround in one of the most critical areas of the game.
And in their last four matchups - against Texas, Charlotte, Georgia Tech, and Alabama - the Bulldogs have given up just two touchdowns total.
Run Defense Leading the Charge
If there’s one area where Georgia’s identity has really come into focus, it’s in stopping the run. The Bulldogs now rank fourth nationally in run defense - a stat that’s not just the product of late-season tweaks, but the result of a mindset that was instilled months ago.
“We embodied it over the summer, over winter workouts,” linebacker Raylen Wilson said. “That’s us just stopping the run and running the ball. I feel like if you can do that, man, you can be unbeatable.”
The numbers back him up. Georgia has given up only 128 combined rushing yards over its last four games. And in the SEC Championship against Alabama, the Crimson Tide finished with negative rushing yards - thanks in part to a handful of well-timed sacks that flipped the script on Bama’s ground game.
That’s a far cry from the first matchup against Ole Miss, when Georgia had no sacks, no tackles for loss, and no takeaways. But since that game, the Bulldogs have averaged two sacks per game - a sign that the pass rush is starting to find its rhythm.
Young Talent Stepping Up in a Big Way
One of the biggest reasons for Georgia’s defensive surge? The emergence of some serious young talent.
Freshman Zayden Walker didn’t log a single defensive snap in that first Ole Miss game. Now? He’s become a key piece in the Bulldogs’ pass-rushing puzzle.
“Zayden’s growth was expected,” Schumann said. “It was a matter of when, not if… he just worked really hard to work through the areas he had to get better.”
Walker isn’t alone. Elijah Griffin has been a steady force up front all season, while Rasean Dinkins earned his first career start in the SEC title game - and made the most of it. In the secondary, Ellis Robinson and Demello Jones have developed into reliable contributors, giving Georgia even more flexibility and confidence across the board.
Robinson, in particular, has started to shine.
“He’s always had a lot of ability,” Schumann said. “He has really good ball skills… as he continues to stack those plays, he just gets better and better.”
Confidence Is the X-Factor
It’s not just the stats or the personnel that have turned things around - it’s the confidence. Schumann sees it every day in meetings, in practice, and now, on game day. This group isn’t just playing better - they believe they’re better.
And that belief could be the difference as they prepare for a rematch with Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff. That first meeting?
It was rough. Georgia didn’t record a single sack, didn’t force a turnover, and gave up chunk plays in bunches.
But in the fourth quarter, something clicked. Ole Miss managed just 13 yards on 11 plays and didn’t score again.
That version of Georgia’s defense - fast, physical, and relentless - is the one that’s shown up ever since.
“I just think there’s a lot of guys that have grown up over the course of the year,” Schumann said. “The more you play, the more confidence you gain.”
Now, that confidence is turning into dominance. And with the stakes higher than ever, Georgia’s defense looks ready for the moment.