First and 10: TCU is formidable, but Georgia's biggest hurdle is the unrelenting pressure to repeat
1. I don’t want to get on a soapbox, but …
They’re defending a national championship and protecting an unbeaten season.
And they’re running on fumes.
“Our players have had a long season,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said.
With 1 defining game to go.
There are 2 ways to look at Georgia avoiding the cliff in the Peach Bowl against Ohio State: The Buckeyes finally played to their elite potential, or a physically and mentally tired and overwhelmed champion is struggling to the finish line.
Either way, Georgia’s flaws have finally been exposed — at the worst possible moment.
Forget about Smart’s preseason mantra that Georgia won’t be hunted. It’s laughable at this point.
Georgia gets every team’s best shot every week. Next up: motivated and overlooked (sound familiar?) and 13.5-point underdog TCU in the Playoff National Championship Game.
For the final time this season, Georgia will be measured against the only way this ride is allowed to end: a national title.
Those expectations have inked an indelible mental toll on the 11-month journey to repeat as champions, and Georgia is breaking down in front of our eyes.
Not because it isn’t the best team in the nation, or isn’t prepared or is getting outcoached. They’re running on fumes because they’ve been dragging the grind of defending the national title, of reaching the top of a rare mountain you’ve already scaled, for an entire year.
We’ve seen it over and over in the BCS/CFP era: Uber-talented championship teams trying to repeat are doomed at the worst possible moment by the physical and mental toll of repeating. Of being the hunted.
— 2002: Miami’s overtime loss to Ohio State in the national title game.
— 2005: USC’s last-second loss to Texas in the national title game.
— 2009: Florida’s blowout loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship game.
— 2014: FSU’s blowout loss to Oregon in the Playoff semifinal.
— 2019: Clemson’s blowout loss to LSU in the national title game.
All teams with deep and talented rosters full of future NFL players. All taken down, in part, because of the grind of the season.
And the expectations of perfection.
2. TCU’s moment
What Georgia flaws, you say? Look harder.
Before leaving under concussion protocol, Ohio State All-American wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. was a serious problem for the Georgia secondary.
Imagine what TCU star wideout Quentin Johnston, who had 6 catches for 163 yards against Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal, will do to the suddenly leaky Georgia secondary.
Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud got hidden, gutting rush yards on scramble plays to slow down the Georgia pass rush.
Imagine what TCU’s Max Duggan — a stronger, faster and tougher runner — will do to a Georgia front 7 that hasn’t been nearly as disruptive as last season.
Ohio State used exotic blitz combinations to confuse Georgia’s pass protection, which included first-time starting right tackle Amarius Mims. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, who hadn’t been sacked in 7 games (and only 7 times all season), was sacked twice and the passing game was consistently affected.
Imagine what TCU’s unique 3-3-5 defense — which gave Michigan’s Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line fits all game — will do to a Georgia offensive line that hasn’t faced an elite pass rush all season. The Frogs had 4 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and constantly harassed athletic Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy.
Bennett admitted after the Peach Bowl that he played “about 30 minutes of bad football.” It might have been closer to 45 — and what happens against another unique scheme with an athletic front 7?
Bennett looked lost at times trying to decipher Ohio State’s multiple and combination coverages — and deal with the pressure.
Now imagine Bennett throwing against the best cornerback combination in the nation with Thorpe Award winner Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson and Josh Newton, and underrated nickel corner Millard Bradford. And doing so while avoiding exotic blitz packages from TCU’s front 7.
Translation: If you think the Georgia offense was discombobulated for 3 quarters against Ohio State, expect more of the same against TCU.
“They use angles and leverage with that unique front to shoot (gaps) and disrupt,” an NFL scout told me. “That’s not the biggest group, but they’re athletic as hell. If you can’t get your hands on them, you’ll be reacting all game.”
An ominous statement for the final leg of the Georgia journey.
3. The grind, The Epilogue
The worst thing that could’ve happened for Georgia was beginning the season with a 49-3 whitewash of top-10 Oregon.
That raised expectations to an unthinkable level — and everything else was downhill except the Tennessee game. Why wouldn’t they think (consciously or not) the Playoff would be, too?
Ohio State was blown out in its only true test of the season against Michigan, and Georgia knew what it could do with Michigan from last year’s Playoff. TCU? Come on, the Big 12?
But there Georgia was, in the halftime locker room, trying to find a way to keep it together. At one point, center Sedrick Van Pran — the most respected player on the roster — was yelling at his teammates to “wake up.”
Fortunately, Bennett did at the right moment.
In the 4th quarter of 3 Playoff games over the past 2 seasons, Bennett has 312 yards and 5 TDs.
Georgia got away from the run too often in the Peach Bowl (3 running backs averaged 9.6 yards per carry). Its best offensive threat (TE Brock Bowers) was virtually ignored for 3 quarters.
Nothing looked right — until Bennett did.
Earlier in the week, Smart said Bennett had overcome a lot, emphasizing that “He’s overcome us when we didn’t want him out there.”
Smart could’ve made a move in the Peach Bowl, too. Could’ve inserted talented backup Carson Beck when Bennett looked confused by (take your pick), the rush, the coverage, his poor throws.
Bennett’s first 2 passes of the 4th quarter were incomplete and led to a punt. His next was incomplete, too — and led to another punt. In his last 3 drives of the 4th quarter, Bennett completed 10-of-11 for 190 yards and 2 TDs.
Don’t confuse the issue: The guy who Georgia did everything to keep off the field will be the difference against TCU, too.
4. Moving on
Numerous NFL scouts I’ve spoken to believe Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien will leave for the NFL to take the same position with the Patriots.
That move would leave Alabama coach Nick Saban with a defining decision: finding an offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach and play-caller for an inexperienced quarterbacks room.
Don’t be surprised if former Florida coach Dan Mullen is high on Saban’s list of potential replacements. Mullen has a history of developing quarterbacks (Alex Smith, Chris Leak, Tim Tebow, Dan Prescott, Kyle Trask), and is considered one of the game’s best play-callers.
Unless Saban decides to add a quarterback from the transfer portal, the Tide will enter spring practice with redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe (who started and beat Texas A&M this season), freshman Ty Simpson and incoming freshmen from the 2023 recruiting class. That quarterback room screams the need for an experienced, hands-on teacher.
The prevailing theme now in the coaching community is the longer you’re out, the tougher it is to get back in as a head coach. Presidents and athletic directors want new and/or fresh, and rising stars.
Luke Fickell, Deion Sanders, Kenny Dillingham, Ryan Walters, Alex Golesh. There are exemptions for unique situations (see: Nebraska, Auburn), but for the most part, it’s young and/or new, and rising stars.
Mullen is young (50), but he’s been in the game for more than 2 decades. That might play in favor of Mullen taking a job with Saban instead of sitting out another season and hoping to land a job for 2024.
5. The Weekly 5
Top 5 matchups in the Playoff National Championship Game:
1. Georgia CB Kelee Ringo vs. TCU WR Quentin Johnston
2. Georgia QB Stetson Bennett vs. TCU CBs Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson and Josh Newton
3. Georgia DT Jalen Carter vs. TCU G Steve Avila
4. Georgia front 4 vs. TCU QB Max Duggan
5. Georgia TE Brock Bowers vs. TCU NB Millard Bradford
6. Your tape is your résumé
An NFL scout analyzes a draft-eligible SEC player. This week: LSU WR Kayshon Boutte.
“I’m not surprised he’s coming out. It didn’t fit there with (LSU coach) Brian Kelly from the jump. The talent is obvious. The elite speed, the fluidity, the ability to high point, constant, strong hands. He’s physical, he engages in the run game. What’s not to like? Individual interviews are important for all guys, and that’s where we’ll get an idea of what happened this season and why it didn’t fit.”
7. Powered Up
This week’s Power Poll, and 1 big thing: biggest portal pick up (so far):
1. Georgia: WR Dominic Lovett, Missouri: 56 catches, 3 TDs, 15.1 ypc. in 2022.
2. Alabama: TE CJ Dippre, Maryland: 30 catches, 3 TDs, 10.5 ypc. in 2022.
3. Tennessee: LB Keenan Pili, BYU: 62 tackles in 2022, 190 career tackles in 4 seasons.
4. LSU: CB Denver Harris, Texas A&M: Twice suspended former 5-star had 3 PBUs in 2022.
5. South Carolina: TE Trey Knox, Arkansas: 81 career catches, 9 TDs in 4 seasons.
6. Mississippi State: CB Khamauri Rogers, Miami: Former 4-star was reserve in 2022.
7. Ole Miss: WR Chris Marshall, Texas A&M: Twice suspended former 5-star had 11 catches in 2022.
8. Arkansas: Edge John Morgan, Pittsburgh: 14.5 career sacks.
9. Kentucky: QB Devin Leary, NC State: Career TD/INT ratio of 64/16 over 4 seasons.
10. Missouri: WR Theo Wease, Oklahoma: 64 career catches, 10 TDs in 3 seasons.
11. Florida: DT CamRon Jackson, Memphis: 41 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack in 2022.
12. Auburn: TE Rivaldo Fairweather, FIU: 28 catches, 3 TDs, 15.2 ypc. in 2022.
13. Texas A&M: CB Tony Grimes, North Carolina: Former 5-star had 97 tackles, 1 INT, 19 PBU in 3 seasons.
14. Vanderbilt: Edge Aeneas DiCosmo: 26 tackles, 1.5 sacks in 2022.
8. Ask and you shall receive
Matt: Kentucky helped Will Levis become a first-round NFL Draft pick, why wouldn’t he play in the bowl game? — Larry Dunn, Louisville.
Larry:
The easy answer is Levis had too much future earnings to lose if he were to sustain a serious injury. I will never argue against any player opting out of a bowl game to protect his financial future.
However, you make a very good point: What was Levis before he arrived at Kentucky? What was he before UK offensive coordinator Liam Coen developed him in 2021?
That doesn’t mean he owes anything to Kentucky; he paid back that development with a 10-win season in 2021, and by sticking it out during the 2022 regular season when the offensive line was a mess and he was getting beaten up weekly.
There’s never an easy answer to these things. I know this: Bryce Young and Will Anderson staying and playing in Alabama’s bowl game is rare — and will be rarer with each passing season.
9. Numbers
38. The inefficiency at quarterback at Auburn has been staggering the past 3 seasons. Auburn’s quarterbacks combined to throw 38 TDs against 23 INTs in that span and failed to complete 60 percent of their passes.
New coach Hugh Freeze hasn’t added a quarterback yet from the portal (he will), but considering his track record, there will be a complete turnaround at the most important position on the field.
In Freeze’s 4 seasons at Liberty, 3 different quarterbacks had a TD/INT ratio of 98/45, and ran for 31 TDs.
10. Quote to note
Alabama coach Nick Saban: “I think we had a little bit of a taste in our mouth that if we had a dominant performance, it would show people that we probably did deserve to do a little better than we did in terms of the Playoff picture.”
“The easy answer is Levis had too much future earnings to lose if he were to sustain a serious injury. I will never argue against any player opting out of a bowl game to protect his financial future.”
So why didn’t he (and I’m not singling Levis out…this comment could be made for AR or any other person who sits the games) sit after UK was eliminated from East race? Why didn’t he sit after the UGA loss? Just saying. If its all about future earnings, he played half the season after UK was eliminated from playoff contention. There is no difference to sitting the bowl game vs sitting half the season if your rationale is protecting your financial future.
I haven’t thought about it from that perspective (deeply)
I have no problem with opt outs, but I can see the optics as really looking like you quit on your team if you do it in the middle of a season. For the most part, there’s a sense of meaninglessness for bowl games, but regular season still matters to everyone.
I don’t know, this was a good point admittedly.
I think you’ll see it soon enough. And once one player does it (C. McCaffrey)….
PS. Sorry, but I got put in “moderation” for using McCaffrey’s 1st name.
On a post on FB I mentioned that as soon as C Mac opted out, I knew bowls were going to be meaningless. Years later, and we are seeing it.
I don’t disagree JTF, they just need one person to do it, and it will be normal. It’s common in the pros in multiple sports, so with the expanded playoffs I can definitely see it becoming common.
Once the College Playoffs emerged the Bowl Games were relegated to a 2nd tier of importance.
it predates the playoffs. Go all the way back to the BCS or even the Bowl Alliance.
I think the real answer is he played most of the season hurt. Was getting shots before each game to manage the pain. He needed time to get healthy before NFL workouts.
I have made the same argument for years and none of the woke can answer that question.
Quitters quit. Simple answer.
Whatever happened to playing football because you love to play football?
I know. Being naive.
Welcome to the post-modern world of semi-professional college football, Nash.
UGA is battling something alright, but I’d argue it’s depletion of health more so than anything else. Looks like we’re down to a 3rd string OLB to replace Nolan Smith/ Chaz Chambliss, backup RT, as well as our backup TE. Next man up Dawgs! One more to go!
The loss of Darnell Washington was huge.
He’s a proficient blocker that also has to be accounted for as a receiver. Our offense wasn’t the same without him.
Grateful to have AD Mitchell and Arian Smith back.
President Lyndon B. Johnson once said, “If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.”
Smirvy Skart “muh plaAyr’s err tard” line fools the soft mush head writers at SDS every time.
That was dumb the first time you posted it. Even more dumb now.
Matt Hayes did you even play competitive tiddly winks? You clearly have never been an athlete.
Amen to that!
Ohio St had a huge advantage that TCU doesn’t. OS was the most rested team in the PL, as they had 5-weeks to get healed up and scheme for Georgia.
OLB depth is my only concern at this point. I’m sure it is a mental grind to try and stay perfect for 15 games, but this team just took OS’s best shot with them having 5 weeks to prepare. TCU has a little over 1. It will likely be a competitive game, but these Dawgs still have enough left to finish the drill.
1. georgia should have won by 20 pts if the refs had called holding on carter 6 times and the kicker was not missing easy field goals and if smart had run milton more than 3 times and if ringo could get some glasses which work to see the wrs
2. why at the end did smart let bennet score so quickly when he could have run milton at least 1 time to run the clock
You know it isn’t a given they would score there. This isn’t a Nintendo game of Tecmo Bowl where he could just give it to Bo Jackson and take automatic points. You take the points when you can get them.
“2. why at the end did smart let bennet score so quickly when he could have run milton at least 1 time to run the clock”
Come on man…
Yeah there was a noticeable drop off on the edges after Chambliss went down. I am concerned about OLB depth too, but I don’t know if TCU has the dogs (pun not intended) to take advantage of that.
Lot of strange numbers out there at the end.
My immediate response after reading, “And they’re (Georgia) running on fumes”, was (and still is),”GIVE ME A BREAK!”. Georgia has had its flaws exposed?? Stay tuned for more hyped sports drama after these quick commercial breaks, sports fans………..
Of course Georgia has flaws, every team does. The point is, those flaws are insignificant compared to every other team they’ve played and TCU is no different. Next we’ll be reading that TCU is Rocky Balboa and Georgia is Apollo Creed!
I like TCU, I follow the Big-12 since I live in Texas despite being a Gator and an SEC guy primarily. But I’m a realist too – if the Dawgs were playing the Dallas Cowboys instead next week, I’d still take the Dawgs right now. That’s a fact Jack.
doc…I agree with you that TCU is a very good team. I’ve seen
them play twice and have been quite impressed with their overall team speed. They have elite players in the skill positions and Duggan, the QB, is an inspirational player and the entire team feeds off hi energy. Hopefully the Dawgs defense has a better game than in the Ohio State game. Go Dawgs ! Bring home the Natty !
Now that’s what I’m talking about!
I’m confident in a two-peat despite my admiration for TCU – but 2023 is going to be really interesting. If 11-2 decided by 4 points is “down”, then I think it’s fair to say Alabama will be “up” next year. Throw LSU into the mix since Kelly will have his feet firmly planted, and Georgia of course loaded for a three-peat – and a wildcard of Tennessee – man, it’s going to be something on a stick in the SEC.
UF will be a tough out next year as well.
I was very impressed with TCU on the line of scrimmage against Michigan. I expect another great game.
Michigan simply hadn’t seen that type of speed all year, and it was apparent.
Looked at the National stats and TCU doesn’t rank very high in rushing defense.
Score permitting, I think the Dawgs should run the ball down their throats, wear them down, and keep the ball out of Max Duggins hands.
Also, Stetson had a couple of bad throws. He also had the exact same stat line as Stroud (who played better and was amazing) but had more passing yards and a rushing TD. Stetson threw for 398 yards on 24-33 passing. He wasn’t that confused Hayes. Dawgs are tired but they will finish the drill. Hell of a time to be a Dawg.
This. I mentioned above I just rewatched the game, and there was a few plays he made some bad decisions and looked lost, but for the most part I didn’t see where he was confused for 45 minutes?
Almost 400 yards multiple touchdowns (including a rushing) and a win, says otherwise.
Part of Stetsons issues were situational. He was throwing on third and long a lot after two failed run attempts. The int was the right decision but the turf monster grabbed him as he stepped up to throw. He made some bad decisions/throws too but when you throw 34 times, every decision/throw won’t be perfect.
Our d can’t cover the pass In The middle, been like that all season. With a depleted OLB room, Duggan will be running plenty and we better have an answer for it.
Does Georgia have holes? Yes, especially in the secondary. Is Ohio State an elite passing team? Yes again.
Let’s not make TCU sound like a juggernaut though. They are a really good team, but needed two pick sixes, a horrible 4th and goal call, and a reversal of a touch down call (and subsequent fumble), to win by 6. Michigan gave that game away.
Again, not saying TCU isn’t really good, but they are ranked 65th in scoring defense for a reason. Matt Hayes made them sound like the second coming of those old Bama defenses.
I rewatched the game last night, and all things considered, SBIV played solidly. There were a couple of drives where he looked lost, but for the most part he was solid and always responded.
I think the big thing that helped Ohio St is that they got to rest for a while and have the Jimmies and Joes. For as good as Duggan is, they don’t have the Jimmies and Joes and they should out talent the Horned Frogs.
I played in a 3-3-5 at USF, we used three safeties most of the time. I was one of the safeties and my assignment most of the time was to cover the left (my right) side of the field as a high safety. Brock Bowers, Darnell Washington, Kendall Milton would have had a field day against us. Not going to claim we were as talented as this TCU team is, but all that speed won’t matter because UGA is just as fast, but bigger and stronger.
If UGA plays its best game, they win going away no matter how good TCU plays. SBIV is mistake-prone, though. Then he goes lights-out to make up for it. Timing of the mistake will be critical. Give TCU momentum, confidence at a crucial point, it’s anyone’s game. TCU has nothing to lose…a really good team, amazing coach. Watch out UGA. This game will be close.
I don’t think Bennett is mistake-prone. He threw an interception. It happens to every QB on occasion. And many times it not their fault.
Consider a scenario…UGA is ahead in the 2nd half. TCU making a game of it, closing the gap. A strip-sack, an interception on the wrong side of mid-field. It’s the timing, not the player. SBIV has the experience and cool as the other side of the pillow. crazy happens. UGA has better players, by far, but man, them Froggies, don’t sleep on ’em.
Oh I agree with all of that. I just don’t think Bennett is mistake prone. That doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen.
Georgia won fairly but obviously the margin was razor thin: a DB fell down, a timeout got called at the last possible nanosecond, multiple close officiating calls went their way, the opponents best player got taken out, etc.
I’d hope that would put an end to the sillier kinds of comments we’ve heard ad nauseum for the last month:
“Ohio State is going to get totally blown out.
B1G teams are all very bad because they’re from the B1G.
UGA is incredibly tougher physically than everyone else.
The pass rush!
The run game!”
None of that materialized.
None of it.
It wasn’t that just one piece was missing from Georgia’s performance.
Hayes can make it seem like UGA is the only team to play this many games but it’s just untrue: It’s an equal grind on all the teams that get this far … and we know there’s no way TCU has greater depth than UGA.
Yes, there’s pressure in being undefeated, but it’s not the effect of ‘the target’ that we’re seeing… it’s that there’s just not as much distance between the top teams as the media tries to make out.
This article is just a bunch of excuses. The fact is this Bulldog team is not on the GOAT-level we’ve been force-fed all season. They’re excellent, but the defensive secondary has issues and their coach has shown that he can’t get them ‘up’ for every game.
They better take TCU seriously.
It did materialize. The big 10 went 0-2 in the playoffs.
The run game averaged 9.6 yards a carry.
The pass rush got 4 sacks on a team that gave up 9 all year. There were potentially more if it wasn’t for holding and the brilliance of Stroud to use his legs.
UGA was much tougher than Ohio St, it’s a reason they were continually able to erase two touchdown leads.
The only thing that didn’t happen was a blow out, and most sane people and Vegas all agreed on that.
I didn’t read the rest of your post but woo.
He’s having a hard time coping with what is all too obvious.
‘Hayes can make it seem like UGA is the *only* team to play this many games but it’s just untrue’.
How many has TCU played?
I’m sorry, in no way did Georgia dominate that game through Amy if those factors. They just didn’t. They won a very even, hard fought game at the buzzer.
Who claimed Georgia dominated? WHO are you arguing against? You’re making things up.
You’re not new enough here to pretend we haven’t sat through weeks of the ‘Georgia is going to blow Ohio State off the field’ nonsense.
Refer to when i said no one sane said that it was going to happen. And no one after is saying that.
I countered all of your points with facts, you can continue to cling on to people said they were going to blow them out all you want. If that makes you happy, go for it.
And for the record, I’ve been a registered user on SDS for years so you can sto the not new enough.
Then 90% of your fanbase is insane by your definition.
Include this Gator in the insanity then, because I DID say Georgia would curb stomp them.
Umm no…. Ohio State did not play as many games. They were resting while Georgia was getting banged up playing LSU. That mattered too
‘Hayes can make it seem like UGA is the *only* team to play this many games but it’s just untrue’.
How many has TCU played?
Georgia hasn’t played TCU yet. But Ohio State played one less. Also we going to pretend that prior to the Michigan game Kansas State didn’t figure out a way to beat TCU. I know Georgia may have some flaws but I think they are a hair better than the team that TCU lost to already
The ESPN headline is “UGA got lucky”.
All the while Michigan had the ball at the TCU 1st and goal 3 times and got 3 points TOTAL for all 3 trips. Then threw 2 pick six returns.
…..and UGA was the lucky one from a missed 52yd field goal…while Podlesney missed 2 himself for UGA.
Seems OSU was lucky to be able to try the FG more than UGA. Heck of a game.
Be better if OSU gave us at minimum 20 points like Mich gave TCU.
“formidable”.. are you still sleeping on TCU? Not smart.
Nobody is sleeping on TCU. Just pointing out that they certainly had some luck versus Michigan.
“formidable, but…” I mean we all know what that means, zzzz..
They don’t have the jimmies and joes.
That’s what formidable but means. If TCU plays their best game, and Georgia plays their best game, Georgia wins.
Period. No one is sleeping on TCU
Formidable: inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable.
I’d say that fits Georgia.
It’s no guarantee of victory, but the odds are always gonna be with the bigger/faster/stronger.
And Georgia had some luck against Ohio State.
Georgia didn’t play their best and still won. TCU has played with fire all year and gotten burned once already.
@Dawgs2021: GA is going to have to play better than they did against OSU to beat TCU. They better play their best game.
Matt’s got serious Debbie Downer vibes on the Dawgs. Ya know, the inverse could be true as well: the team has been waiting for this moment all year, struggling defensively at times to get there, but it’s now the last game and they could be laser-focused on their goal.
Georgia has already beaten the two best offensive teams in CFB – mainly because they could not out-score Monken’s crew. TCU will be the worst of the the defenses UGA has seen among those 3 teams. If Darnell can’t go, that’s a negative – but Oscar Delp is just waiting for his chance. Monk will essentially have two Brock Bowers on the field, along with two burners, and no coordinator has schemed for that.
The D may be running low on experienced bodies, but the offense is still lethal as hell.
He’s a Gator homer that thinks Carson Beck will end up at Florida
Matt really likes to speak in absolutes. But when his takes are shattered, he’s nowhere to be found and never acknowledges it. I’ll sit back and watch things play out.
Saban still whining about the playoff picks… Lol. So ridiculous. Bama is a really good team, but just get over it already. I’m sure they’ll be back next season.
Who would he have put Bama in over? And if you are going to put them in you still have to answer why you put them in over a team that beat them and the other team that beat Bama. It wasn’t your year Nick. Move on.
The way TCU and Ohio State played pretty much eliminated any argument about the committee’s picks if you ask me.
“If you think the Georgia offense was discombobulated for 3 quarters against Ohio State….”
Georgia had 24 points at halftime and 533 offensive yards. I’m not sure what game you were watching.
Gosh, I sure hope we can keep it close on Monday!
The 533 offensive yards were for the entire game, obviously.
Bennett had 398 passing yards. The national media acts like he had 50 yards going into the 4th quarter and threw for 348 in the last 15 minutes.
He didn’t.
Yeah. Down by 4 at the half but totally lost all game lol
“The worst thing that could’ve happened for Georgia was beginning the season with a 49-3 whitewash of top-10 Oregon.”
Um, I’m not so sure.
Seems like losing by 30 at South Carolina would have been worse.
Yeah…it was all that lone win that put those expectations on Georgia. At that point of the season we had already crowned “Nick Saban’s best team ever” as the champions as I recall.
Anyone who thinks Smart considered, even for a moment, substituting Carson Beck in for Stetson Bennett has no idea what they are talking about.
I can’t believe you even typed that.
I don’t know. The knock on Georgia historically has been that if you get in a high scoring affair they can’t keep up. Well they just beat one of the best QBs out there that hat the game of his life and SBIV put up even better numbers. And here we are talking about how out of sorts they were.
1. the dogs were a far better team than ohio state but did not play like they were and the 2 reasons were ringo needs glasses and the refs refused to call holding against the ohio lineman who held carter at least 6 times
2. stetson seems blessed with 4 leaf clovers but why did smart try to land the oklahoma transfer QB who went to Southern Cal if he really considered stetson to be what the dogs needed
3. at least we will find out for sure next year with beck or another 6 foot 3 QB if stetson was really good or not and we really needed a tall QB
4. i hope ringo will stay and get coached up with new glasses since he will not be ready for the NFL
5. please tell smart to use milton and is there some reason he does not like milton personally or needs to have some aide chart the runs
“2 sacks.” “passing game consistently affected.”
Meanwhile OSU had only allowed 8 sacks coming in and gave up 4 to UGA and Bennett’s statline basically mirrored Stroud’s. Let’s paint the full picture please.
Georgia fans being defensive because of a Matt Hayes article. Priceless. This article is just more of his drivel. I can’t believe y’all are taking him seriously.
Dude, you know the rules: if someone doesn’t say Georgia is absolutely perfect and pucker-up to Kirby’s backside they all lose their gourds.
In a sport full of dumb fanbases … it’s a really dumb fanbase.
Shouldn’t you be enjoying your big Sugar Bowl Win? I mean you beat the team that beat TCU and they are all that and a bag of child lol
Chips
Totally wrong. There are a number of valid problems with UGA and it’s completely fine to write about them. Matt Hayes just wrote a painfully and thoroughly stupid article. There’s a big difference.
I love that Matt lists 2019 Clemson as folding under the pressure of repeating as if playing the 2019 LSU Tigers, a team that is in the discussion as the greatest team ever assembled had nothing to do with it.
Kirby’s defense giving up 71 points and 900 yards passing in The last two games isn’t Stetsons fault. Maybe don’t throw your QB under the bus when he is the reason you won the last two games.
But they won both. Those are the types of games Georgia is supposed to lose. I’ll take 14-0.
I think Coach Smart exactly how to motivate his QB.
UGA seem flat and slow. Kudos for overcoming that. Their offensive weak spot, in my opinion, is a lack of separation speed at the receiver position. TCU is fast, but most importantly they are quick. They will present a problem for UGA, for a while. I think the best thing UGA could do is just pound the he11 out of them for a half, with their larger/stronger players, to slow them down, then start hitting over the top. I think it will be an interesting game. I hope for a Dawg win.
I agree.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it were competitive early before UGA grinds them down with big bodies in the running game … and then goes over the top for a back-breaker.
Their secondary is going to need to hold up though. And Duggan is a much better runner than Stroud.
But if they take him out like they did Harrison, Jr. it’s game over.
if you think ad mitchell and arian smith dont have seperation speed idk what to tell you other than – START ACTUALLY WATCHING THESE GAMES !!
Saban whining that Bama doesn’t get special treatment because of their brand. Why would the CFP selection committee consider a two-loss, non-division winner? Just makes him and the program look petulant.
Hayes articles are usually based on completely invalid perceptions and/or incorrect assumptions.
Matt Hayes you are a hack. This has some of the stupidest takes and interpretations about UGA’s victory that I’ve read. Seriously.
Frankly, as a Dawg fan I’d like to see a few more articles like this one the rest of the week, pointing out the Dawgs numerous “flaws.” Last week it was all about Dawg love, no expert gave OSU a chance. I knew that would motivate them. UGA plays best when there is some doubt surrounding them — Oregon in the first game, the Tennessee game, even South Carolina as their first SEC road test. When everyone talks about how they can’t be stopped and they have no weaknesses, somehow they seem to come out flat (see Missouri game). I’m hoping there’ll be a few more writers talking about how tough Duggan is, how good their DBs are and how weak our secondary is and how are OLB depth chart is a shambles. UGA needs SOMETHING to motivate them so, bring on these “negative” articles. And Go Dawgs!
Great wins for UGA and TCU.
I like how these 2 teams match up.
Should be a good game.
Go Dawgs.
Hahahha!
“TCU beat up Michigan and UGA just got lucky”
TCU was gifted at MINIMUM 20 points. 2 pick sixes weren’t even the worst! Worst was Michigan getting 3 TOTAL POINTS for 3 trips inside the TCU 5 yard line, all 1st and goal. Michigan out-gained TCU by 70yds of offense and had the ball at the end of the game and couldn’t make it happen. TCU was very lucky,
“TCU bullied Mich”
UGA missed 2 FGs, threw a pick to give OSU a short field, OSU magically didn’t have any holding penalties when putting on an Oline tackle clinic, and out-gained OSU on offense. OSU didn’t get called for breaking the huddle and lining up with 12 men on the field on the fake punt that Smart sniffed out. Marvin Harrison admitted getting hit clean. ODU was fortunate to be able to try the longest FG of their kickers year and he missed it.
“UGA just got lucky”.
Lol. Ok.
Well stated!!
I’m of the opinion that the hardest thing about repeating is actually getting back to the championship game. Once you’re there, your experience is an advantage. TCU is legit but we’re not Michigan. We probably won’t help them as much as Michigan did with questionable offensive plays inside the 5 yard line.
typical hayes column – uga finally gave him ammo to write up a “uga did nothing well” on offense in a game with 42 points and 533 yards of offense – TCU gets 14 points off 2 pick 6s and “oh boy duggan and that offense cant be stopped by uga” – lol hard to tell this is an sec site sometimes – maybe its just a sec except uga site lmao – dude could watch a game a hundred times and still not have a clue what he is looking at
If the repeat pressure is all the Dawgs have to worry about, they might as well give the trophy to TCU without playing the game. TCU is a worthy foe and has the ability to beat Georgia on even grounds. The Frogs shouldn’t be taken lightly. I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if they hand Georgia their first loss of the season.
Prediction:
TCU 31
Georgia 24
Media makes money by pumping up the underdog/. This article is a joke.
Just a short while ago, KSU beat TCU for the second time this season. What happened to KSU yesterday against Bama which was beat twice by teams that Georgia beat? Surely you folks are not that stupid. Georgia will easily beat TCU. The margin of victory will be determined by KirbySmart’s mood at the time. Bet accordingly…