I reckon i'm an on the outskirts of this thing from my vantage... the CCG was a lot simpler than i'm thinking many are making it. UGA didn't have a solution for the seam and the searing speed of which Bama QB and receiver core can execute a play. and... Bama got in Stetson's head early and often... when you see a QB barking at his entourage, you ought to expect bad things to happen. they did. that TE was the shining light for them as he and Stetson seemed to remain in tune... else, Bama just didn't have a solution 'in game' for him... i figure that's changed.
I've liked UGA (in an analytical sense) all season. I didn't grasp the bama QB's talent until late in the season. I said early that bama's issue early on and all the way up to the 'barn game was focus- they seemed to have lacked it... that can be coached in a heartbeat and certainly between Nov and Jan with so much at stake.
UGA, imHo, bought into their own hype as teams who haven't 'been there' in a while are apt to do. the CCG was a reality check. they're damn good, yessir, and they're heads and shoulders better than every other team they've played... but they eye to eye with Bama. they're not going to be able to rely on simply powering and relief from a deep bench, as Bama has that too, and actually an advantage there- I really think they thought they could power through in the CCG. They oughta know better now. If i were coaching that team, which glory be to allah i ain't, i'd be looking at games under Smart's tenure where they were evenly matched against their opponent, and what they did wrong in losses and right in wins.
i can't help but think if the game gets out of control for them the other QB will enter- 'ala' Bama in the last title matchup they had when Tua took over for Hurts- and thinking bama hasn't prepared for the other fella... problem with that is, bama has, i'm beyond certain, if for nothing else saban has a good memory and is likely thinking that the entire time.
insofar as calling the game, i wouldn't touch it.... it could easily be a blow out and i'm thinking it will be, honestly... and when/if that happens everyone will smirk "well, Bama is Bama and UGA never had a chance"... truth is, again imHo, score doesn't really demonstrate the entire story about matchups- one team could have a single component the other has no answer for and that could account for 14-28 point differential at the horn. without it, the other team could be soundly defeated... that freakish receiver and heisman QB are hard to solve- reminiscent of randall cuttingham at philly- "if he doesn't have separation enough, and he only needs a two square foot window to be open, that little effer (the gingerbread man) takes off and those in coverage (in coverage hence no window) can't close on him until he's ripped off at least ten... As mighty as UGA's D is, I don't think they have a solution.
