Three Key Takeaways from Georgia Football's Dominant Victory

Deion Sanders makes a splash in coaching debut, upsets TCU. Georgia sets school record with 18th straight win.

Deion Sanders made a huge impact in his debut as the Colorado coach by pulling off an upset against TCU on their own turf. After the game, Sanders confidently stated that "we keep receipts" for those who had doubts about his team's abilities.

Moving forward, the next step for Georgia is to assess the feedback from this game. Coach Smart emphasized that he's not interested in the opinions of others, but rather in analyzing the tape to understand their performance and determine their identity as a team.

So, what's next for Georgia? They will be facing Ball State, a non-power five team, at noon on Saturday. This will be followed by their first SEC game against South Carolina, who suffered a 31-17 loss to North Carolina in their season opener.

Now, let's delve into three key questions heading into week 2:

1. How does Georgia's offensive output compare to other dominant teams like Ole Miss and Oklahoma?
While Georgia's offensive performance didn't reach the same levels as Ole Miss' 73-7 victory over Mercer or Oklahoma's 73-0 win against Arkansas State, it was still impressive. In fact, it closely resembled the final margin of victory in their previous six games against FCS teams under Coach Smart, with an average score of 44-10.

2. What has been UT Martin's track record against SEC teams?
UT Martin has struggled against SEC opponents in their recent matchups. They suffered losses of 65-24 against No. 3 Tennessee last season, 45-0 against No. 11 Florida, and 50-7 against Kentucky in 2019. Despite being down 17-0 at halftime, UT Martin's coach, Jason Simpson, anticipated a strong response from Georgia in the third quarter.

3. How did Georgia's new additions perform in their season opener?
Rara Thomas, a transfer from Mississippi State, didn't make much noise during practice, but he made a significant impact in the game with a 56-yard reception. Coach Smart emphasized the importance of involving multiple players like Thomas, Arian Smith, and Dillon Bell to establish a strong offensive arsenal for the rest of the season. Additionally, Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, who were absent due to injury and suspension respectively, are expected to be key players in future games.

Other notable performances include Arian Smith, who was targeted five times but failed to make a catch, and Mehki Mews, who led the team in receiving yards with 75 and scored a touchdown on a 54-yard play. Walk-ons Cash Jones and Mehki Mews also stood out with their contributions, with only tight end Brock Bowers having more catches than them. However, leading rusher Daijun Edwards was unable to play due to an MCL injury, and inside linebacker Smael Mondon saw limited playing time due to a foot injury. Freshman C.J. Allen had a solid game, showcasing his potential as a standout player.

In conclusion, Georgia's victory against UT Martin marked their 18th consecutive win, setting a school record. Despite some injuries and absences, the team showcased depth and the ability to rely on various players for strong performances. As they prepare for future matchups, Georgia aims to continue their winning streak and establish themselves as a formidable force in the SEC.