Speaking of Georgia, I think I have detected a pattern to the Kirby Smart-era Dawgs. When they get down, as they occasionally do, they do not quit. You may think that your team has a pretty comfortable lead, but Kirby Smart is scheming and motivating, and the next thing you know, Georgia is back in the game.
Just this season, I have seen Tennessee and Ole Miss surrender what seemed to be good leads and end up losing.
At the half of last Saturday’s Georgia-Ole Miss game, I posted this:
Ole Miss 21 Georgia 20 going into halftime.
While ABC was previewing this game before kickoff, the announcers called Georgia's past few games of "slow starts" a "concern." I don't think it's as big of deal due to how well Bulldogs have adjusted to and dominated the 2nd Half this season (maybe not so much Vs Alabama). Georgia did so Vs Tennesse, Kentucky, and last week Vs Auburn. Whichever side of the ball was slow to start came out ready in the second half, like Georgia's defense last week shutting down Auburn's offense in the 2nd Half. I expect Kirby Smart to square away his defense Vs Ole Miss the rest of this game.
Back when the Bulldogs were in the midst of two national championship runs (’21-’22), Kirby Smart’s defenses were lead by Jalen Carter, four other eventual first round picks, and a Linebacking core who were all drafted in the first three rounds.
Though Georgia still recruits lights out, his defenses no longer field that elite caliber of projected NFL talent. Bulldogs’ defenses have steadily given up higher point averages and total yards since their recent championship teams.
On offense, two other downward trends are noticeable. The offensive line is increasingly undisciplined, drawing more penalties, and there is an inability to develop the skill positions. In recent years past, Georgia’s best receivers and running back tandems were already good when they stepped on campus and proved themselves immediately in the NFL. Weapons like James Cook, Brock Bowers, and Ladd McConkey, who didn’t require intensive development. The four-star WRs/RBS Georgia are signing only marginally improve after their freshman season.
Fast forward to now and Georgia’s ground attack is among the least productive in the SEC going on three seasons now, and though the receiving production remains steady, this is more of a credit to Gunnar Stockton, IMO. Which leads me to…
Gunnar Stockton’s heady, tough-as-nails QB play AND Kirby Smart’s in-game coaching/adjustments are what’s keeping Georgia in line for the CFP. Kirby Smart’s night-and-day game adjustments are the best in the nation.
