LOS ANGELES — Max Dugan do not sugar cover anything.
He knows he ranks with one of the best – if not the the best — the players he’s ever faced.
Georgia star midfielder Jalen Carter figures will play a prominent role on Monday as his team tries to defend the national title first TCU at SoFi Stadium. Carter is a 6–foot–3 tall, 300-pound disruptive force in the middle of the Bulldogs defence, who could end up being the #1 pick this year. NFL draft. A monster game on college football’s greatest stage will only raise his case.
Break TCU’s attack against Georgia’s defense
“I mean, very strong guy,” Duggan said during media day on Saturday morning. “He’s just too big. He’s fast. He’s jerks. And he’s just caused so many problems for so many teams. We have to make sure we know where he is and make sure that he doesn’t. we called him because we knew it was going to be a big challenge for us.”
Carter is a big challenge for Ohio State inside College football Playoff semi-final at the Peach Bowl last week. But the Buckeyes found a way to neutralize him and limit his impact. Carter has only one tackle in 52 tackles, and the midfielder CJ Stroud, who was not known for his maneuverability, became so slippery that he was able to evade Georgia’s indomitable forces. Ohio State also used doubles teams and a move bag to frustrate the Bulldogs and keep Carter away from Stroud.
Duggan is quicker than Stroud, but can Horned Frogs’ attack line hold Carter for four quarters?
“I don’t think you can disable him,” center TCU Alan Ali speak. “He’s going to play. He’s a great player. But I think we can come together as an O and hit the stops that we have to do. Because he’s going to have the hits. his moments, but we’ll have our moments too.”
Carter is Georgia’s most experienced defensive player to return from last year’s national championship, and one of college football’s best forwards this season. Even if he doesn’t lead any of the statistical categories, his presence alone attracts the attention of many attack guides, which gives other Bulldogs a real chance to win. show plays.
Carter also faced a nagging ankle injury for more than half the season. He missed two games and came on from the bench in the other four, but described himself as “100%” ahead of the Peach Bowl.
In his last seven games, Carter has made 25 tackles, seven tackles conceded, three tackles and two clumsy catches.
“You know how special he is,” Duggan said. “You see everything he’s done, and you know where he is [to be drafted] right away.
“He’s a good student and causes a lot of trouble for opposing teams and attacks. He’s very influential, whether it’s him actually playing and causing disruption or he He joins doubles teams and allows the others to be on the defensive one-on-one.”
Can Georgia become the champion?
TCU’s senior left guard Steve Avila unaffected by Carter’s reputation. Especially not in the way that Frog manages of Michigan guard in the Fiesta Bowl. Werewolves join that game with Big Ten top-rated running defense, to which the Frog responded by running for 263 yards and three touchdowns despite losing the star when running backwards Kendre Miller injured in the first half. Meanwhile, Georgia has the best hasty defense in the nation, holding opponents to 3.0 yards per take and just six hasty touchdowns in 14 unbeaten games. Ohio State could only dash for 119 yards and a touch of the ball in the CFP semi-final.
“We know he’s a good player, but we treat him like any other opponent,” Avila said of Carter. “We know him really, very well. But our boys are also very good.
“I’ve played against some really good players and I just feel like he’s a different person.”
Beyond Carter, Georgia’s defense is dripping with future NFL talent ranging from Chris Smith arrive Smael Mondon arrive Kelee Ringo and mykel Williamswho combined 25 tackles, 2.5 tackles conceded and twice on the ball against Buckeyes.
And Duggan knew his offense had to take advantage of every opportunity he got. The Frogs just have to compete and try to finish the running game on Monday for a chance to solve a big crisis.
“They know what they’re doing,” Duggan said. “Not many teams have the talent or discipline of those guys. They fly around the ball, they’re fast and strong. They’re everything you want in a team. There are so many people who may have only one of these. that feature [on their defense]but they had all of them.
“So it’s going to be a big challenge for us to make sure that we do and get our work done, not behind the sticks or motivating them.”
Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball, and soccer for FOX Sports. She has previously written for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She’s the author of the book “Strong Like a Woman,” published in the spring of 2022 to celebrate Title IX’s 50th anniversary. Follow her on Twitter @LakenLitman.
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