The Georgia Bulldogs came off the bye on the right foot, largely dominating their hated rival Florida Gators to beat them for the sixth time in a row and get things back on track with their season.

Coming off a shocking home loss to the Auburn Tigers, all eyes were on the Dawgs to see how they responded, and while the defensive effort was outstanding, forcing four turnovers and not letting the Gators offense sustain drives all day. Offensively though, while not a whole lot was needed, it was not exactly an inspiring performance for Gunner Stockton coming off what was one of the worst games of his career against Auburn.

Ultimately though, Stockton did what it took to win the game and managed things nicely, and his day was defended by head coach Kirby Smart who acknowledged that while he was not at his best, he once again helped his team win a game and that this formula should help them win a lot of games.

"He continues to improve, he does what he has to do to win, he gets the tough, dirty yards, he usually doesn't put us in [negative] situations," Smart said, adding that the goal is not to turn the ball over and play good defense. "I don't know how far that can take us, and I do think there's some things tonight that Gunner missed that he knows he could do better and he can hit because if it does, it can take us to another level.

"We really haven't played where the offense was clicking completely and the defense was. We haven't done that yet. But that's what complimentary football is...Can the two work together to play really good football?"

Smart emphasized the fact that he does not think Stockton played a bad game by any means but that there were shots and plays the offense missed that on a day where the defense was not as dominant, they may have needed to win the game.

Notably, he also seemed to make it clear that he does not know if it will all come together on both sides of the ball, but that if it does, this is a Bulldogs team who will be capable of beating anyone they may run into in their path.

The Bulldogs have a relatively brutal final stretch of the season after it seemed like in the preseason it could be a lighter November. Starting this week on the road at Ole Miss in the biggest game of the year, Georgia also has to travel to red hot South Carolina as well as hosting a Missouri team which has shown potential as well.

Stockton needs to raise his personal level of play, and if he can do that, this is a whole lot better of a Bulldogs team which can run the table this month and win the conference again. If not, it could be a whole lot more of a question.