ATHENS — Glenn Schumann never lost belief that his defense would get better.

Maybe that’s easy when your unit gives up 41 points to Tennessee, 13 third-downs conversions against Alabama and touchdowns on the first five possessions against Ole Miss.

“Obviously there were a couple games there that were a couple, a half-game, whatever it was, that we did not perform to the expectations. But credit to the guys, their growth and their level of confidence and their focus on the task at hand,” Schumann said. “The guys in the room came to work every day not worrying about any outside noise, not worried about what it said statistically.”

But Georgia’s defense has, in fact, gotten better. After giving up 13 third-down conversions in one game against the Crimson Tide, Georgia has allowed third-down conversions on 10 of its last 48 attempts.

Texas, Charlotte, Georgia Tech and Alabama have scored just two touchdowns against the Georgia defense in its last four outings.

Entering the College Football Playoff against Ole Miss, this Georgia defense is playing its best football. Nowhere is that more apparent than with Georgia’s run defense, which has surged to fourth nationally.

The importance of stopping the run wasn’t just a tweak made after the first game against Ole Miss. It was something stressed as far back as winter workouts.

“We embodied it over the summer, over winter workouts,” linebacker Raylen Wilson said. “That’s us just stopping the run and running the ball. I feel like if you can do that, man, you can be unbeatable.”

The Bulldogs have given up 128 combined rushing yards in their previous four games. Alabama finished with -3 rushing yards, thanks to some timely sacks.

The last time out against the Rebels, Georgia had no sacks. In the six games since, the Bulldogs have averaged 2.0 per game.

The emergence of freshman Zayden Walker has helped provide a boost to the pass rush. Walker did not play a single defensive snap in the first game against Ole Miss.

“I think Zayden’s growth was expected. And it was a matter of, it was kind of a when, not if,” Schumann said. “And so he just worked really hard to work through the areas he had to get better.”

Walker isn’t the only young player who has emerged of late for Georgia. Elijah Griffin has played a key role all season on the defensive line. Rasean Dinkins picked up his first career start in the SEC championship game win over Alabama.

The growth of cornerbacks Ellis Robinson and Demello Jones has helped push Georgia’s front seven to another level.

“He’s gained more and more confidence,” Schumann said of Robinson. “He’s always had a lot of ability. He has really good ball skills. So there’s been an opportunity to play ball in the air. We have confidence he’s gonna do that. And so I think as he continues to stack those plays, he just gets better and better.”

The Ole Miss rematch will be the ultimate test for the Georgia defense. The first three quarters were the worst sustained stretch of play from the Bulldogs. It had no sacks, no tackles for loss and no turnovers in the game.

Yet in the fourth quarter, it showed it could be dominant. Ole Miss finished with just 13 yards on 11 plays. It scored no points, while Georgia’s defense showed no mercy.

There’s one key attribute where Georgia’s defense has improved exponentially in Schumann’s eyes. More so than experience or as a pass-rushing unit.

It comes in the form of confidence. Even though it is facing a stout Ole Miss offense that gave it real problems earlier this season, the Bulldogs are playing their most confident football at the most important time.

“I just think there’s a lot of guys that have grown up over the course of the year,” Schumann said. “We knew that would be the case. The more you play, the more confidence you gain.”

Glenn Schumann talks Georgia defensive improvement

5:10 2Q– BYU begins its drive at its own 25 yard line

5:14 2Q- Will Kiker with a big fumble recovery after a muffed catch by Cody Hagan of BYU. Georgia Tech is in business. Haynes King finds J.T. Byrne on a six yard touchdown pass. The Yellow Jackets lead 21-10

5:28 2Q– Georgia Tech takes for lead of the game after a 10 play 76 yard drive that is capped off by a five yard touchdown pass from Haynes King to Eric Rivers. Georgia Tech leads 14-10

5:33 2Q- Jonathan Kabeya pass interference penalty on Malik Rutherford keeps the chains moving.

9:06 2Q– Georgia Tech former five star prospect Josh Petty goes down with an injury.

9:42 2Q- After a nice run back from Shane Marshall. Georgia Tech takes over at its own 24 yard line.

9:52 2Q- Georgia Tech defense gets a stand and forces a field goal. Will Feerin nails the 22 yard field goal 10-7

End of 1st Quarter- Score is tied 7-7 and BYU is on fire offensively with 132 passing yards in the first quarter.

0:06 1Q- Bear Bachmeier completes a 35 yard pass to Carsen Ryan to set up the Cougars in Georgia Tech territory

0:20 1Q- Georgia Tech goes for it on 4th and goal with a direct snap from Trelain Maddox who rushes it for three yard touchdown. Game is tied 7-7.

4:00 1Q- A big 22 yard reception from Malik Rutherford puts the Yellow Jackets in the BYU territory

4:56 1Q- Bear Bachmeier connects with Chase Roberts on a seven-yard touchdown pass to give BYU the first score of the game. A five-play 62-yard drive that results in a touchdown. BYU leads 7-0

7:40 1Q– Ahmari Harvey called for a pass interference penalty on a questionable call on BYU’s opening possession.

7:53 1Q- Georgia Tech forced to punt on its opening possession and will have to punt. BYU takes over at its own 38 yard line.

8:39 1Q- Kyle Efoord makes a big hit at the goaline and stops BYU short of the touchdown on fourth down and goal. Georgia Tech will take over at its own one yard line for its first possession

15:00 1Q- BYU takes the opening possession of the game and will begin with the ball.

Game day is officially here

Georgia Tech plays its final game of the regular season as they match up against BYU in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The Yellow Jackets are looking to secure a 10 win season for the first time since 2014 and is looking to finish the season strong. They will be playing a Cougars team who was on the verge of making the College Football Playoff and is seeking their 12th win of the year. Can the Yellow Jackets finish the Haynes King era on top?

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