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Georgia Football: 3 keys to victory for vs. Baylor in Sugar Bowl

By Michael Hanich

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates with D'Andre Swift #7 after a long touchdown run during the second half against the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates with D'Andre Swift #7 after a long touchdown run during the second half against the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Georgia football was hoping to play for a national title, but the Bulldogs will have to settle for a Sugar Bowl appearance against Baylor.

The Georgia Bulldogs (11-2) are playing in the Allstate Sugar Bowl for the second time in a row. They will be playing against the Baylor Bears (11-2), who are efficient on both sides of the ball.

The Bulldogs are 4-0 versus the Bears with the latest matchup coming in 1989 with a 15-3 victory for Georgia. Both the Bulldogs and the Bears were close to making it to the College Football Playoff before losing in their respective conference championships.

Georgia comes into this game as a five-point favorite over the Bears. However, the Bulldogs will be facing many roadblocks including some that are self-inflicted.

Multiple players will not be playing in the Sugar Bowl as they will be preparing for the 2020 NFL Draft. Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas and offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson will forgo the Sugar Bowl to prepare for the Draft. Defensive tackle Tyler Clark (undisclosed), safety J.R. Reed (unknown injury), guard Ben Cleveland (academic issues) and backup running back Brian Herrien (didn’t travel) will also not participate.

Kirby Smart’s squad favored heavily by ESPN’s Power Football Index (71-to-29 percent), yet they will be playing short-handed against an aggressive Bears team. Georgia has faced inconsistencies throughout the season despite winning the SEC East and being one spot away from the playoff.

Now they will be playing for pride, but they will also be playing to start a revenge season in 2020. They can start with a huge win in the Sugar Bowl against the Bears.

There are three keys to the game for Georgia.

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