I know, I know.
“You have to throw the records out in a historic rivalry game.”
“Anything can happen when these two teams get together.”
Georgia won by what at first glance appeared to be a comfortable two touchdown margin, walking out of EverBank Stadium with a 34-20 victory over the Florida Gators. It was Georgia’s fourth consecutive win in the rivalry, the first time the Bulldogs have won four or more in a row in the series since 1983. That’s great news.
But all the news isn’t rosy. Anyone in the Bulldogs’ quarterback room who came away from this one without a sense that there is serious work to be done, and that they’re lucky to be doing that work after a victory, isn’t paying attention.
Carson Beck has moved from the asset side of the ledger over to the liability side. I’m not saying he can’t move back. But at this point, the Bulldogs simply cannot put the ball in his hands in a pressure situation without fear that he’s going to screw the whole thing up. His accuracy isn’t great. His decision-making is worse.
You expect a fifth year senior to make good decisions in pressure situations, and Carson Beck simply isn’t doing that right now. Beck has now thrown 8 interceptions in his last three games. He’s thrown 11 on the season, the most for a UGA quarterback since 2011. That’s a huge problem. Specifically, it is Mike Bobo’s problem.
Someone who is not a problem for Coach Bobo is freshman tailback Nate Frazier. Keen observers thought that the young man might step up in this game coming out of the bye week. But Frazier exceeded expectations, rolling up 82 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in relief of an injured Trevor Etienne. Etienne left the game with a rib injury, further depleting a UGA backfield that looked like a strength coming into the season. For much of the second half Frazier seemed to run with more confidence and less hesitation than we’ve yet seen, a great sign for the stretch run of this season.
He was able to do that in part thanks to an offensive line that opened up some nice holes and got stronger as the game went on. The Bulldogs would finish with 146 yards on 33 attempts on the ground, a shade over their 130.3 yard season average.
The Red and Black defense remains a step ahead of the offense in terms of reliability. The Gators scratched out 228 yards of total offense, and spent most of the game trying to convert third downs. But the unit did allow the Orange and Blue to wriggle out of some tight spots that kept them in this one way longer than they should have with a transfer from Yale coming off the bench to run the show.
Florida fans won’t be happy to have lost by two touchdowns. But under the circumstances they should probably be proud of their team. The Gators lost dynamic freshman quarterback DJ Lagway in the second quarter yet still went to the halftime locker room up by a touchdown with walk-on Aiden Warner forced into action. They had the game tied midway through the fourth quarter. While that may not save Billy Napier’s job, especially if they have to start Warner next week against Texas, there’s no doubt the Sunshine State Saurians played over their heads.
Georgia on the other hand has to get a handle on whatever demons are ruining what was supposed to be a Heisman season for Carson Beck. If the Bulldogs do manage to limp into the College Football Playoff they won’t go far with Beck single-handedly turning it over three times a game. You just can’t do that against good teams. Georgia only barely got away with it against a mediocre Gator squad this afternoon.
But I’d always rather watch the Bulldogs play poorly and win than play poorly and lose. Four wins in a row against the hated Gators is something to celebrate. And celebrate we will. But next week Georgia faces an Ole Miss team which they cannot beat by giving away free possessions.
But for now, it’s still great to be a Gator Hater.
Go ‘Dawgs!!!