Things didn’t go so well facing the other major football team from Alabama, but at least we’re at home this time. For Homecoming. On national TV. With a severe case of interception-itis. And yet another opposing coach searching for a signature win. What, me worry?
Here’s what I’m NOT worried about when we meet the other guys from the Yellowhammer State:
1. Streaking. A 44 regular season win streak, a 16 game SEC road win streak, not allowing a touchdown in 4 straight games streak, not allowing a punt return since 2022 streak, no turnovers on the season streak… let’s face it, Alabama will snap some streaks. All that is behind us, and everything is now in front of us.
Except winning 8 games in a row against Auburn instead of the current 7. Now that is a streak I’m all in on.
2. It wasn’t me. Mike Bobo is calling more than serviceable games. His players just can’t execute. The slow start Saturday wasn’t Bobo’s fault. A 15 yard strike from Beck to Lovett on the 1st offensive play, and a perfect dime against man coverage that Arian Smith dropped on the 2nd. When we throw it deep, good things were happening. Except the drop, except the offensive pass interference. But at least Mike Bobo was calling it up, and Carson Beck was throwing it down the field, mostly to open receivers, and we haven’t seen Beck throw that vertical in forever.
I expect more of the same from the booth this Saturday. We should still see a good mix of run and pass – UGA is currently 42% run and 58% pass (which was skewed by the Alabama game).
3. 4th down for what? The good news is that UGA is now 6-7 on the season when moving the chains on 4th down. The bad news is that our 3rd down conversion percentage dropped from 39% to 33%. That’s the lowest success by a Georgia team in over a decade, and a far cry from last season’s 55.15% (including 53.7% against ranked teams). Going 3 for 15 in Tuscaloosa will do that to you.
But between the thunder brought by Brett Thorson, the green notebook’s 4th down tab, and Beck’s normally good command, at least we have some options when 3rd down doesn’t turn out as hoped.
Now forgive me, as I was weaned at the nipple of Larry Munson’s scratch. So here’s what does worry me about Saturday afternoon’s contest against the Cam Newton and Nick Fairley School of Ethics, Virtue, and Consequentialism:
1. Turnovers. We put it on the ground several times in Lexington, any one of which could have changed the outcome of that game, but instead escaped unscathed. Until we went to Tuscaloosa. Not only were there 3 picks and Beck’s fumble, but Etienne lost one early that was pounced on by Dylan Fairchild, and Anthony Evans bobbled a punt return and was lucky to gather it back up. And that doesn’t count the multiple near-picks thrown by Beck. That night could have been even uglier than it was, by a longshot.
The bright spot is that Auburn has been even worse in the ball control department. Auburn has lost more fumbles than all but 7 teams in FBS. Add in the 9 completions to the other team, and War Eagle is giving the ball away more than every team in FBS outside of East Carolina. The only thing they do more is to ask if you’d like to upsize your value meal. But even Kirby Smart said that “outside of turnovers, they’re a really good football team. They’ve got great players…”
2. “Anybody can take the reservation, but you have to hold the reservation.” That’s an old Seinfeld skit come to mind after watching the first hour of Georgia football last Saturday night. The boys were swarming – that’s the mantra and metric of players efforting to the ball. There was even some white jerseys in the Tide backfield. But just because you get to the ball carrier or in their proximity is no guarantee of a successful stop. The arm-tackling and unsuccessful tackles by Georgia was frustrating as hell. Not to mention getting put on skates and juked out of your socks. We have to get better at shedding blocks and getting to the sideline on running plays. In each game this season, the Bulldog defense has allowed more rushing yards than the preceding game, and it’s time to nip that in the bud.
Auburn can run the damn ball. Senior Tiger Jarquez Hunter was almost a thousand yard rusher last season, and he’s damn near halfway there again this season, even with only 13 carries a game. QB Peyton Thorne had 3 games last season where he scampered over 80 yards, notably the 92 the Bulldogs surrendered to him. He’s not Jalen Milroe, but he’s a better runner than Brock Vandagriff and we’ve had trouble with all of them. And Hugh Freeze is an RPO guy through and through. If we don’t start putting some shoulder pads on the blue and orange, it could be a very frustrating afternoon on Dooley Field.
3. The Plainsmen offense is starting to find its footing, and its tempo. They ran a season-high total of 75 plays against Oklahoma last week. And if they can hold onto the ball, they can control the clock but still keep a defense gassed thanks to a quick tempo.
Beginning the season only facing 50 plays a game against Clemson and Tennessee Tech, the Bulldog defense stayed on the field for 73 plays against Kentucky and 65 at Alabama. Which could have been a lot worse if not for Ryan Williams. Depth is of ever-increasing importance, spelling the big men up front and able to keep pressure from the trenches. But that also requires sound assignments and communication – something I think has been lacking. It only takes one player to misunderstand their coverage or gap for the Tiger offense to strike a scoring blow.
Call me crazy, just don’t call me late for dinner. Sound off in the comments below what worries you about the Bulldogs of Georgia versus the Whatevers of Auburn. And as always…
GO ‘DAWGS!!!