Georgia's Nolan Smith forces a fumble by Cade McNamara during Georgia's 34-11 win over the Wolverines.
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All month long, Michigan heard about a Georgia defense with future pros from top to bottom. But on Friday, the Wolverines actually saw it.
And was it ever a sight to see.
In an Orange Bowl where Michigan brought in an award-winning offensive line wearing shirts emblazoned with “Run the Damn Ball” to pregame warmups, the Wolverines got knocked off the ball, cajoled and treated like a ragdoll by a Georgia defense that, yes, has future pros from top to bottom.
On their way to a 34-11 College Football Playoff win in Miami Gardens, Fla. — where Michigan’s only touchdown came in the throes of garbage time — the Bulldogs racked up four sacks and two hits. They intercepted Cade McNamara twice, forced two fumbles and held the Wolverines’ run game to under 100 yards for the first time all season.
From the game’s very first moments, in which Georgia’s Nolan Smith tipped a third-down pass intended for Luke Schoonmaker, the Bulldogs put on a masterclass in playing like a brick wall.
“Defensively and offensively, everyone had a great opening drive,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “That set the tone for the game.”
Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis had won the Broyles Award for best assistant coach in the country, over Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning. Michigan’s offensive line had been hyped up, thanks to winning the Joe Moore Award.
“Whoever made that decision is a lot smarter than me,” Smart said. “But we got a hell of an offensive line, too.”
The Bulldogs used the awards as fuel, and romped.
“There was a little chip on the shoulder of the defensive guys,” Smart said.
By the end, it became a highlight reel to be played at the NFL draft. Defensive tackle Jordan Davis made a swarming play on a Michigan outside run, getting across the field for a tackle for loss. Linebacker Nakobe Dean made a sideline-to-sideline stop on a first-quarter third down for one of his eight tackles. Cornerback Derion Kendrick, a Clemson transfer, caught both interceptions.
Kendrick, who was named the game’s defensive MVP, drew gushing praise from Smart.
“There’s not a player on our team that prepares harder than he does, OK?” Smart said. “He comes to practice every day, gives great effort, takes notes in meetings. I’ve never been around a kid that is so attentive in meetings at the corner position. A lot of them think, oh I got to go play man. He tunes in, and he’s a competitor. There’s never a walkthrough that he’s not focused and locked in.
“So he set a great example for our other players. Came from a really good program where they play really good defense. He fit right in with our guys.”
The focus now turns to Alabama, the only program all year that managed to do anything against the Bulldogs, scoring a 41-24 SEC Championship game win.
“We were ready to go play regardless of who the opponent is,” Kendrick said. “But it just so happens to be Alabama who beat us. We have to go back, clean up on some things we did. Go over the film and just do what we do.”
What they can do, Georgia proved on Friday night, is pretty special indeed.
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