Georgia Football: Ranking the Top 5 Surprises for the Bulldogs This Year

It has been a whirlwind of a season for the Georgia Bulldogs. They are 7-2 (5-2 in the SEC) and even with the losses to Florida and South Carolina, the Bulldogs have a chance to win the SEC East and the SEC if they beat Auburn on Saturday.

It’s clear this year’s team is a lot better than last year’s squad, and there are lot of different variables that come into the equation when talking about why the Bulldogs are a much better team this season.

Here are the top five surprises for the Bulldogs this season.

No. 5: Jeb Blazevich

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Georgia never has a problem finding tight ends, but many thought that Jay Rome would have a breakout season since he was playing behind Arthur Lynch the last two years.

That has not been the case because true freshman Jeb Blazevich has emerged as a top target for Hutson Mason. Through the first nine games of the year, Blazevich has 14 receptions for 230 yards and two touchdowns. He has the longest pass reception of the year when he caught a 50-yard pass from Todd Gurley earlier in the season.

Blazevich still has a lot to learn when it comes to blocking consistently, but he is already a better route-runner and pass-catcher than Lynch was as a freshmen. Just imagine where Blazevich will be in his development by 2016.

No. 4: Lorenzo Carter

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Anyone that follows recruiting knows that the signing of Lorenzo Carter was big for the Bulldogs. But the fact he’s making key contributions this year is a very good sign for the defense moving forward.

Carter has not played a lot of minutes because he’s playing behind Leonard Floyd who leads the team with five sacks. But Carter got a chance to start against Kentucky last week and notched nine tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.

The true freshman has proven in a short amount of time that he’s capable of filling in when his number is called. His play has also showed that the future is bright for the Bulldogs linebacker corps.

No. 3: The Offensive Line

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One of the reasons the Bulldogs are the second-best rushing team in the SEC is the play of the offensive line.

Greg Pyke, Brandon Kublanow, David Andrews, Kolton Houston and John Thues have opened holes for Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb, but they have also been able to keep Mason upright all season long with only 13 sacks through nine games.

The play of the offensive line is surprising because they lost three starters from last season, and they have not been as consistent as they could be. But the same starting five linemen have played all season, and their experience has showed on the field.

No. 2: The Secondary

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Last year the secondary was heavily criticized as the cornerbacks and safeties constantly gave up big plays and were never on the same page. That is not the case this season because the secondary is only allowing 186 yards per game, which ranks fourth in the conference.

The Bulldogs also have 11 interceptions this year, and six of those picks have come from Damian Swann and Quincy Mauger. Both players have made tremendous strides in their play this season, and it has to do with defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt working with the group and making sure he has the best four-five players out there each game.

No. 1: Nick Chubb

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As surprising as the secondary has looked this year, it does not compare to the job Nick Chubb has done in the running game.

Before Todd Gurley was suspended, he was on pace to run away with the Heisman trophy. But since Chubb took over as the starter over a month ago, he now is third in the SEC in rushing yards and third in the conference in rushing yards per game.

Chubb has been named SEC Freshman of the Week twice, SEC Offensive Player of the Week once, the Maxwell Player of the Week and Athlon Sports National Player of the Week this year.

What’s going to be interesting is how Georgia runs the ball in its upcoming game against Auburn. Gurley will make his return and is listed as the starter on the depth chart (via georgiadogs.com). Will the Bulldogs split the carries between the two backs, or will either Gurley or Chubb run the show on Saturday?