Georgia Football: What the Bulldogs Should Be Thankful for in 2014

It’s Thanksgiving week, and it’s a time for families to get together and reflect on the things they are thankful for. It’s also a time where families can get together and watch college and professional football all day long.

The Georgia Bulldogs won’t be playing on Thanksgiving Day, but they will be preparing for a big Saturday game against in-state rival Georgia Tech. Both schools are 9-2, and there’s a chance both teams will be playing in their respective conference championships depending on the outcome of the Missouri-Arkansas game on Friday.

So the Bulldogs are fortunate to once again be in a position where they can win 10 games, beat Georgia Tech and go to the Georgia Dome next week.

But what are some of the other things the Bulldogs should be thankful for this season?

Nick Chubb

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In reality, the Bulldogs should be thankful for depth at the running back position. But Nick Chubb has been a leader on this offense, and he’s only a true freshman.

Chubb has played in all 11 games but has started only six of them. However, he’s already second in the SEC in rushing yards (1,152) and tied for second in touchdowns (11), and if you don't include Todd Gurley, he leads the conference with 7.2 yards per carry.

Replacing Todd Gurley is a hard thing to do. But Chubb is on pace to have more rushing yards than Gurley did when he was a freshman in 2012. In fact, it would not surprise anyone if he got a few Heisman votes at the end of the year.

Hutson Mason

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As good as Chubb has been for the offense, Hutson Mason has been the leader of the unit since the start of the season and has had a steady hand all season long.

The senior quarterback does not lead the SEC in passing yards, touchdown passes or passing yards per game, but what he can do is put the football where it needs to be and not make mistakes.

Mason leads the conference with a 68.4 percent completion rating, and his three interceptions are the least in the SEC.

He’s no Aaron Murray, but he has gotten the job done so far this season.

The Offensive Line

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A good offense always has stability at the offensive line, and the Bulldogs have had that all year.

There were questions surrounding the offensive line because three starters were gone from last season, but Kolton Houston, Greg Pyke, John Theus, Brandon Kublanow and David Andrews have silenced the critics. They have made gaping holes in the run game and protected Mason.

There’s a good chance that there won’t be an All-American to come out of the bunch, but the offensive line has been healthy, consistent and playing at an All-American level all season long.

Jeremy Pruitt

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The defense is not the best in the SEC, but it’s much better than last year because of defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.

The defense needed a fire lit under it, and Pruitt has been able to do that. The defense gives up its share of yards from time to time, but it is getting turnovers, which is critical. In fact, it is second in the country with a plus-16 turnover margin. Also, the defense is only giving up 20 points per game, which ranks in the top half of the SEC.

If the Bulldogs are able to achieve what they want to achieve, the defense and Pruitt will be a key reason.

Mark Richt

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Mark Richt has been with the program since 2001, and other than winning a national title, he’s seen it all and done it all as a head coach.

Over the last few years, he has received a lot of heat anytime the Bulldogs lost a game they should've won. But Richt stays the course and does not get rattled, and the Bulldogs always seem to fight through it.

The losses to South Carolina and Florida hurt, but regardless of if the Bulldogs reach the SEC title game, a win against Georgia Tech will keep the Bulldogs in the Top 10 and possibly in the Top Five depending on how the other teams ahead of them do.

There are a few coaches who are better than Richt, but he always seems to have Georgia in the hunt for the SEC and national title almost every year.