Georgia Bulldogs HC Kirby Smart is spending his sleepless nights getting haunted by faulty playmaking by his team, and on top of that, the transfer portal strikes again. And, this time it’s after a five-star running back who is ready to leave Smart and Georgia. Coaches anticipated Branson Robinson’s success, but he represents a modern college football issue: talented players opting for the transfer portal.

Robinson’s decision to enter the transfer portal isn’t just a single roster hit; it’s a symptom of a larger issue in Athens. The former five-star prospect came to Georgia with expectations of continuing the program’s long tradition of elite tailbacks. From Nick Chubb to Sony Michel to D’Andre Swift. But a serious knee injury derailed that projection before it could ever fully take shape.

In his limited six-game sample, Robinson logged 25 carries for 73 yards at a pedestrian 2.9 yards per attempt. While he flashed versatility in the passing game, recording six catches for 33 yards, the injury bug was relentless. By midseason, Robinson was more familiar with Georgia’s medical staff than the end zone.

And now, like so many players caught in the endlessly running machine, Robinson is testing the open market.

Let’s be honest for a second here: Losing Branson Robinson is a kind of thing that makes every single head coach switch to decaf. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and line breaker Harold Perkins Jr. are the top transfer class who are adding depth to a talented roster with outstanding talents such as Harlem Berry, a top running back, and DJ Pickett, a highly favoured cornerback.

After witnessing the end of Robinson’s time due to his injuries, Smart now faces a very sheer challenge of assembling a backfield filled with inexperienced players. He will rely on the “next man up” approach, throwing untested players like Frazier and Walker into SEC competition and hoping for an 8-4 season. Robinson’s injury revealed a bigger problem: Georgia’s fragile running backs. Without him, the Bulldogs are in a precarious position. Another injury could prompt Smart to consider Herschel Walker’s eligibility.

Georgia Bulldogs’ tumultuous title odds

Georgia’s path to SEC dominance this season feels like they are running a marathon with their flip-flops on. The quarterback situation with Stockton and Puglisi is uncertain, raising questions about the offense, as the two players are inexperienced. Once strong, the defense has lost much of its pass rush prowess, resembling a fragile sandcastle.

Georgia’s 2024 season proved to be a rollercoaster ride, it featured going up with an SEC title win against Texas and going down, with a disappointing loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. Coach Kirby Smart described it as his toughest year, as the team’s rushing game struggled significantly, averaging only 124.4 yards per game. The defence structure struggled against top teams like Ole Miss and Texas, and the poor execution of the offence turned potential blowouts into close games.

In the last season, the Bulldogs faced challenges with their ground game and lacked big plays. They need better running tactics to intimidate opponents, score confidently, and overcome past issues with explosive gains and red zone efficiency. On defense, they need to improve tackling in the open field, which is crucial in the S.E.C. A missed tackle there is as unwelcome as a fumbled snap late in a game. The Dawgs must start games urgently, not leisurely, having scored only 10.5 first-half points on average last year against Power Five teams.