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Comments
This was a defensive coaching loss, plain and simple. Very poor defensive game plan, inexplicably poor defensive schemes, too conservative overall, and no adjustments until the game was out of hand. Defensive players also failed to execute and missed assignments, but I think that was because they panicked after realizing the coaching staff was not putting them in schemes that gave them a chance to win.
On offense, the O-line often failed to protect Bennett (he was running for his life much of the game) and receivers failed to gain separation. Bowers had a good game overall, but inexplicably stopped his route on a key play, thereby causing the first interception. He also failed to bring in a TD catch that he normally makes.
Stetson failing to pick up the poaching safety, leading to a pick 6, was the final nail in the coffin, but the game was mostly over at that point. Playing JT Daniels would not have changed the outcome.
Kirby made it easy for Nick by keeping the "Bumpkin" Award candidate in the game to throw 2 interceptions to willing Alabama defenders. Nick must have laughed all night. This humiliation is all on Kirby. Bet on anyone who plays Georgia in a bowl game. I won't be watching.
Bla bla bla Kirby. You guys picked a good time and perfect stage not to play your best game. Had all the support with dawg fans and you sent everyone home disappointed again. We knew Bama was a good team, we knew they had explosive receivers, and knew new the quarterback was dynamic, but what are you going to do to get us over the hump. I hope this wasn't a play in game for the college playoffs. If so, it is y'all fault if you don't get in. Remember Georgia doesn't carry the status Bama, Clemson, and Ohio State when it comes to looked at with favor because you haven't proved anything. I do hope Georgia get in so you as a coach have another opportunity.
Thought Kirby was a defensive coach. Guess we only look good against average teams. That excuse for a defense was terrible. A week ago Auburn owned Alabama's offensive line. Last night the D looked lost and lacked focus. Zero adjustments at halftime. Maybe Kirby just can't win the big one.
I agree with DawgTattoo on his observations, except that Stetson couldn't get the ball to some open receivers. They stacked the box on us and he couldn't exploit it.
It was beginning to look like this year an elite defense could overcome today's modern explosive offenses. That wasn't the case. And Georgia isn't built for a shootout or a come-from-behind game with Stetson Bennett. I don't know if Daniels could have escaped the rush enough, maybe with his height and quick release he could have gotten the ball out in time. I would like to have found that out late in the third quarter when it was clear there was little chance of a comeback.
Really tired of Kirby and his affinity for short QBs with a feel good story. Time to put our best on the field. Nothing will change until he makes the change.
My fear from day one is that Kirby is a professional assistant coach/defensive coordinator. I thought he had made the transition to head coach this year. I may be wrong.
Saban realized that in today's game offense wins championships, not defenses. Kirby is bucking that realization and we are paying for his lack of insight.
All around fault for this loss starting with Kirby down to players; mainly coaches for not having the team ready for this game. Way too many Bama receivers running wide open. One can defend the QB play but that is a huge deficit. Too many of the completions were great catches and many yards were YAC. Not sure who the elite QB is for 2022 & beyond, but for the remainder of this season, SB isn’t that and the coaches owe it to the other players to find out who that is over the next few weeks. Yes the D was torched, but with no points on the board and too many unproductive offensive series, there was too much riding on stopping a very effective offensive game plan by Bama. Tip the cap to the master Saban; he remains an incredible head coach and game strategist.
So what exactly has everyone so optimistic about JT? Was it his 135 yards passing and no TDs…..that’s ZERO scores against a mediocre Clemson team? Or maybe it was his 2 TDs (1 passing) and his 1 for 11 on third down conversions against a good, but not great Cincinnati team. Those are the only winning teams JT has faced….and he was unimpressive in those games. Stetson may not be the greatest of all time, but please don’t blame him for our loss last night. We were outplayed in every aspect….not just at QB. Team loss for sure, but the season is not over. Go Dawgs!!!
After reading this and the QB controversy article prior, I have come to the conclusion that Hemingway (the poster, not the author) is right: this was NOT on Stetson... at least not totally or even primarily.
The seven primary reasons, in rank order, IMHO:
1) A total defensive implosion: it happened early, and it was in every facet of the defense. The line, the LBs, the secondary overall... all were simply overwhelmed. No sacks, no INTs, no fumble recoveries... no redeeming qualities whatsoever, and you have to have lots of at least two of the three to beat 'Bama.
2) Kirby: his inflexibility was evident in the return from halftime. No apparent change in approach (maybe some fine tuning?), and while we drove SBIV to throw a lot more as the score started to run up, that appeared forced by 'Bama, not strategic. CKS's punting on 4th and 15 was what truly mystified me... it seemed like a giving up, when 9 minutes remained and we were going for it on 4th and 10. To me, the game was over right then, given UGA play to that point.
3) The O line collapse: Stetson was running for his life half the game. Honestly, I was surprised he pulled off some of the passes he actually did. This is where I differ with some of the SBIV/JT critics. I'm a huge JT fan. However, with a pocket that regularly collapsed and strong 'Bama secondary play, would JT have avoided the intense pressure? I'm skeptical.
4) UGA WR separation: there was none. Look back at the game if you recorded it, and compare the separation of 'Bama receivers to that of UGA's... it's night and day. SBIV had to throw into tighter windows than Bryce the entire game. I'm actually surprised he threw as well as he did, Bowers helping him handily... but still even Brock didn't get much separation, just a real animal at fending off defenders. Could JT have thrown into those windows better? If he had time, possibly... but unlikely given the O line performance.
5) In-season discipline off the field: losing two talented defensive players to (alleged) atrocious off the field actions is on the coaching staff, full stop. The defense needed all the help it could get Saturday. Nuff said on that one.
6) Stetson: He had a good passing day, and maybe even a very good day given his constantly having to scramble and the (#1 in the country to this point) defense doing him and the offense few favors. The INTs later in the game were symptoms of my first five points, and less worrisome to me; the early inaccurate throws (few as they were, but several on third down) WERE on Stetson, and left points on the field early.
7) An over-celebrated defense: "rat poison" for short, the Dawgs on both sides of the line came in happy and (over?)confident. It showed, and I really thought the "vibe" of the team appeared jubilant before even starting the game... there was just not a feeling of intensity from many early in the game with (in my eyes) the notable exception of SBIV, James Cook, Bowers, Nakobe, and a handful of others. The WHOLE TEAM needed to demonstrate that intensity all four quarters... they didn't.
I love this team and appreciate the great year they have given all of us. They are fine people and tremendously talented. I will never root against them, even after a frustrating loss like this. I've thought long and hard about which of the seven issues can be fixed in the near-term at UGA... or even longer-term. Clearly #5 can't be in the near-term. Does using JT to "fix" #6 work? Maybe. Can you beat 'Bama without at least 4-5 of the 7 being addressed, and aggressively so? No way.
Wishing all in Dawgnation a wonderful rest of the weekend (cheer up! 😁). Go Dawgs!
Yeah: Stetson Bennett played a Stetson Bennett game. With a healthy JD Daniels, Bennett should be on the bench, and not even the next-man-up. Seriously: We know the story of him whining to the coach, asking when's he going to play, and Kirby was guilted into putting him in? Any of the top 5 QBs could have had UGA 11-0 after Daniels got them by Clemson (CONSERVATIVE game plan then!). Vince Dooley PLAYED Ray Goff AND Matt Robinson; Goff was MVP and Robinson had a pro career. Kirby would not have let both play. The backs all rotate EXCEPT the QB??? Grrrr. Kirby knows defense: Jordan Davis plays half the time. Does anyone ANYONE doubt that Saban would have been playing Daniels? Saban would have won the game by playing Daniels ... if not the whole game, at least the second half. Kirby's a great recruiter; UGA had the talent in this game. The coaching cost us. If Bennett starts the next game, I'll have it on TV but will multi-task so I do not have to actively think about the best QB holding a clipboard with his helmet off. Daniels is clearly an A+ teammate .... too bad he has not guilted Kirby into playing him. Bench Bennett; he's had his run. Any of the other 4 QBs on the roster could be fine ... Daniels can take us back to 1980. Bottom line: Does ANYONE doubt who won the head coaching game yesterday??? PLAY JT DANIELS, KIRBY!!!
Yeah: Stetson Bennett played a Stetson Bennett game. With a healthy JD Daniels, Bennett should be on the bench, and not even the next-man-up. Seriously: We know the story of him whining to the coach, asking when's he going to play, and Kirby was guilted into putting him in? Any of the top 5 QBs could have had UGA 11-0 after Daniels got them by Clemson (CONSERVATIVE game plan then!). Vince Dooley PLAYED Ray Goff AND Matt Robinson; Goff was MVP and Robinson had a pro career. Kirby would not have let both play. The backs all rotate EXCEPT the QB??? Grrrr. Kirby knows defense: Jordan Davis plays half the time. Does anyone ANYONE doubt that Saban would have been playing Daniels? Saban would have won the game by playing Daniels ... if not the whole game, at least the second half. Kirby's a great recruiter; UGA had the talent in this game. The coaching cost us. If Bennett starts the next game, I'll have it on TV but will multi-task so I do not have to actively think about the best QB holding a clipboard with his helmet off. Daniels is clearly an A+ teammate .... too bad he has not guilted Kirby into playing him. Bench Bennett; he's had his run. Any of the other 4 QBs on the roster could be fine ... Daniels can take us back to 1980. Bottom line: Does ANYONE doubt who won the head coaching game yesterday??? PLAY JT DANIELS, KIRBY!!!
I agree it’s not all on Bennett ur right but all year long Bennett hasn’t thrown a single guy open .. he waits till there open and by then the defender gets on them so fast the receiver has to make a hell of a play .. Saban is the best in the game he new to pressure him and not worry bout throwing deep .. there could’ve easily been 2 more picks as well .. most of this blame is on smart which if you looked back over the years I’m a broken record .. his inability to change disguise or down right play to win has always cost us .. we were a much better team this year and face it our schedule wasn’t the hardest so we got by till Saban came along .. auburn Florida and A&M blitzed on almost every play .. 1 team won and the other 2 easily could’ve .. smart didn’t do it till the 2nd half and the defense only aloud 10pts .. no’s between Bennett inability and smart long time inability we were screwed .. and before you start voting down go look at some of our games and you will see what I’m talking about .. we get another shot this year so maybe things be different.. go dawgs merry Xmas dawgnation
Wake up call huh .. it’s bama we shouldn’t need a wake up call .. instead of worrying bout a wake up call .. stay awake and actually make some calls would you smart .. we can’t beat bama .. we had the best team possible and can’t even play the right guys .. best defensive front and can’t figure out a blitz .. you no those things auburn A&M and Florida were doin to win and almost win .. did you ever look at game film from those games.. I bet not .. smart is an excellent recruiter but head coach no way .. Saban will destroy smart every single time .. and the gsmes prove it