Before entering its championship phase of the season, No. 4 Georgia will look to use a non-conference game against Charlotte as a tune-up on Saturday afternoon in Athens, Ga.
Georgia (9-1) finished its Southeastern Conference regular-season slate in style last Saturday, recording its sixth straight win with a 35-10 decision over then-No. 10 Texas. The Bulldogs won’t be able to clinch a spot in the SEC title game this week but received help in hopes of reaching its fifth straight final.
Alabama’s 23-21 loss to Oklahoma set up a potential three-way tie for second place with Georgia (7-1 in SEC), the Crimson Tide (6-1) and Ole Miss (6-1). If the Rebels beat Mississippi State next week, Georgia can earn a spot in the title game by way of opponent winning percentage. (Texas A&M leads the SEC at 7-0.)
That’s not a scenario that is concerning Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart.
“It’s not a difficult position,” Smart said of the SEC championship game uncertainty. “We’re worried about Charlotte. We’re focused on them. We’re getting ready for those guys. That’s who we’ll prepare for. Next week we’ll have a plan for the following week in terms of people breaking things down. But it’s not a difficult time, in terms of that, because we’re worried about getting better.”
Georgia likely has clinched a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, barring a seismic upset against the outmatched 49ers on Saturday.
Gunner Stockton, who threw for four touchdowns and ran for one against Texas, leads SEC quarterbacks with a 70.7 completion percentage and eight rushing touchdowns. He has thrown for 2,269 yards with 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions, leading to his climb in the Heisman Trophy conversation.
“It’s hard for me to lobby for that,” Smart said. “What I will say is he embodies everything about that award. Resiliency, character, determination. I mean all those words that embody a Heisman Trophy winner, Gunner’s got it. He’s done it on the biggest stages, in front of the biggest audiences, against some of the toughest competition at a really high level. He’s playing well, and he’s playing to make the people around him better. His value to our team is immense.”
Charlotte (1-9) has the daunting task of facing a red-hot and motivated Georgia team in the programs’ first meeting.
The 49ers’ only victory was on Sept. 13 against FCS member Monmouth. Each of Charlotte’s nine losses has been by double digits. The offense is averaging just 16.9 points per game, while the defense allows an FBS-most 475.1 yards per game.
Nonetheless, first-year coach Tim Albin is preparing his team for a fight in Athens on Saturday.
“Huge challenge this week at Georgia,” he said. “We all know the caliber of team they are. We respect all opponents and fear none. We’re going to go in there and play for four quarters. We’re going there to compete.”
Charlotte’s Grayson Loftis has thrown for 1,145 yards and eight touchdowns, while freshman Rod Gainey Jr. paces the 49ers’ ground attack with 231 rushing yards.
