3 Georgia Bulldogs stars expected to be great but could be busts against Alabama
The Georgia Bulldogs have gotten off to a strong start after entering the season as the No. 1 team in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll and the betting favorites to win their third title in four years. They began the year with blowout wins against the then-No. 14 Clemson Tigers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.
The Bulldogs began SEC play in Week 3 and narrowly escaped a trip to Lexington, beating the Kentucky Wildcats 13-12 after spending much of the game trailing. While they improved to 3-0, they slipped to second in the latest AP Top 25 Poll rankings.
Georgia will have a bye this weekend before returning to the field in their first of four games against a conference rival ranked in the top six of the latest rendition of the AP Top 25 Poll. Their Week 5 matchup will be a road game in Tuscaloosa against the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide.
Here's a closer look at three players expected to be great in the game but could be busts.
3 Georgia Bulldogs stars expected to be great but could be busts against Alabama
#1. Carson Beck
Carson Beck entered the season among the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. The four-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class has largely played well, throwing for 680 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 68.3% of his passes.
Much of that production came over the first two weeks as he struggled against the Kentucky Wildcats. Beck completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for just 160 yards and failed to find the endzone in Week 3. He will face a much tougher test against an Alabama defense that ranks tied for 13th in scoring defense, 19th in total yards allowed per game and ninth in passing yards allowed per game.
#2. Mykel Williams
Mykel Williams missed each of the last two games due to an ankle injury suffered in the season opener. The five-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class had recorded two tackles, both of which were solo tackles for loss, before the injury. While he is expected to return in Week 5, Alabama ranks No. 26 in total yards per game and No. 19 in rushing yards per game.
#3. Trevor Etienne
Trevor Etienne is in his first season with Georgia after joining the program via the transfer portal this summer. The three-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class has 157 rushing yards on 24 carries and three receptions for 25 yards so far this season. He could struggle to move the ball on the ground, particularly if the passing game is unable to get going.
Who do you think will come out on top in this Week 5 clash between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.