Something has to give in this match-up, Georgia is an excellent Rushing Offense and Louisville is an outstanding Rushing Defense. In our opinion this is a top flight match-up. Whoever wins this part of the game….wins the game.
Georgia Rushing Offense
The Bulldogs were the 13th best rushing offense in 2014 averaging 255 yards on the ground per game. That is a HUGE number, and UGA did that largely without the services of all-world Running Back Todd Gurley.
Georgia played FIVE Top 50 Rushing Defenses in 2014 and Louisville will be the best Rushing Defense yet for the Bulldogs. But the last time they played a team even in the same category as Louisville’s Rush D, Clemson, the Bulldogs MAULED the Tigers and gained 328 yards in the season opener on the ground. Clemson finished #7 in the nation in Rushing Defense DESPITE that total allowed in its first game.
Georgia gained 200+ yards in 9 of 11 FBS games, and went over 300+ in 3 of 11 games. That is huge and consistent.
On the year Georgia gained 97 yards more on the ground than its opponents usually allowed or 169.24% of the average. Against Louisville’s 93.67 yards allowed per game, the stats suggest that UGA will gain 158-191. Only two teams fell into that range against the Cards in 2014 (FSU and BC).
| Rushing Defense | Georgia Gained vs. | Deviation from Avg. | % Gained of Avg | |
| Clemson | 97.67 | 328 | 230.33 | 335.82% |
| South Carolina | 214.42 | 217 | 2.58 | 101.20% |
| Troy | 246.08 | 367 | 120.92 | 149.14% |
| Tennessee | 162.08 | 289 | 126.92 | 178.31% |
| Vanderbilt | 183.75 | 243 | 59.25 | 132.24% |
| Missouri | 135.31 | 210 | 74.69 | 155.20% |
| Arkansas | 124 | 207 | 83 | 166.94% |
| Florida | 116.82 | 141 | 24.18 | 120.70% |
| Kentucky | 191.17 | 305 | 113.83 | 159.54% |
| Auburn | 149.5 | 289 | 139.5 | 193.31% |
| Georgia Tech | 168.77 | 194 | 25.23 | 114.95% |
| Louisville | 93.67 | Average | 97.52 | 169.24% |
Louisville Rushing Defense
UofL’s ground defense finished 2014 as the #3 Run D in the nation, following up from its #1 Run Defense performance in 2013. The Cards held opponents under 100 yards rushing in 6 of 11 FBS games and under 150 yards in 8 of 11.
The Cards played just THREE Top 50 rushing offenses in 2014 and held all three of those teams under its average. In fact, only Florida State was able to gain more than its average on the season versus Louisville.
Louisville held opponents under 52 yards of its average on the season or to just 58% of its usual average. Against Georgia’s 255 yards per game rushing the suggested stat range in the Belk Bowl is 149-202 yards on the ground, which is a much wider range than what we found above. Who wins this match-up wins the game.
| Rushing Offense | Louisville Allowed vs. | Deviation from Avg. | % Gained of Avg | |
| Miami (FL) | 179.92 | 70 | -109.92 | 38.91% |
| Virginia | 137.75 | 114 | -23.75 | 82.76% |
| FIU | 125.17 | 88 | -37.17 | 70.30% |
| Wake Forest | 39.92 | -22 | -61.92 | -55.11% |
| Syracuse | 145.83 | 59 | -86.83 | 40.46% |
| Clemson | 153 | 72 | -81 | 47.06% |
| NC State | 206 | 128 | -78 | 62.14% |
| Florida State | 134.85 | 173 | 38.15 | 128.29% |
| Boston College | 251.83 | 166 | -85.83 | 65.92% |
| Notre Dame | 150.83 | 99 | -51.83 | 65.64% |
| Kentucky | 153.17 | 151 | -2.17 | 98.58% |
| Georgia | 255 | Average | -52.752 | 58.63% |
Latest posts by Mark Blankenbaker (see all)
- Louisville vs. Georgia Tech: History, Lines, Attendance, TV - September 19, 2024
- Volleyball: #4 Louisville Volleyball Beats #11 Kentucky 3-1 - September 19, 2024
- VIDEO: Georgia Tech’s Brent Key Talks Louisville - September 18, 2024