Doering Says Georgia’s Biggest Threat Is Itself

Georgia’s 27-8 win over Florida in Atlanta put the Bulldogs back in the spotlight, with former Florida receiver and current ESPN and SEC Network analyst Chris Doering saying the team may be its own biggest obstacle. Georgia is 7-1 and ranked No. 2 after the victory over the then-No. 17 Gators, whom it held to eight points while rushing for more than 200 yards.

Doering said Georgia’s October loss to Auburn showed that the Bulldogs can be beaten when they make costly mistakes. He argued that no other team may be able to defeat them if they avoid doing that themselves. He also praised Smart for continuing to recruit, develop and retain players amid roster changes and the effects of name, image and likeness deals.

Georgia’s loss to Auburn followed multiple second-half turnovers, including a late fumble that swung the game. The Bulldogs’ performance against Florida was markedly different: they tackled well, won the turnover battle and played with discipline, the report said. Auburn was credited with earning its win, even as Georgia’s errors contributed heavily to the result.

The Bulldogs face three significant tests over the next three weeks. Their next game is against Ole Miss in Oxford on November 7, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. on ABC. Doering suggested Georgia could benefit from the Auburn defeat if it learns from the mistakes that led to the loss.