It's obvious, of course, but people actually place too much emphasis on it being all about one team in Tuscaloosa. It's been Bama because that team had a defense to counter Kirby's plus a QB who could jam the works of the UGA defense machine, which is careful, complex assignment football. It worked on Saban, too. A running QB, if he can throw enough to be credible, gives this defense fits. Pssst: it basically gives EVERY defense fits. We really need a guy with foot talent going forward.
Texas had none, and it paid the price. The good news is, the closest thing to a legit DTQB left on the schedule is... Haynes King, GT. Lagway of UF, Dart of Ole Miss (who ran for 20 against UGA last season), and Tennessee's IamOvathrowya all average around 3.0 YPC, though a few sacks are figured in.. These guys can run, but they're not in the league with what Bama has had. Yet the weakest team, Georgia Tech, gave Kirby's D fits because Haynes King, even without much of an arm, couldn't be contained.
To me, this can't be overstated. The front seven gave a performance for the ages in Austin, and with Ewers not being a runner, Texas lost its air of dominance completely. None of this is to say UGA can cruise from here on out. It has to bring that same intensity and preparation every week. The BYE is great in its timing. UF is improving, and it's helpful they looked good enough against UK that they can't slip up on us or catch UGA still celebrating.
One other point. People have ragged on our offense to be more exciting. Don't be predictable. Don't run up the middle. Throw the damn ball. Well, be careful what you wishfor. Beginning with Bama, Bobo took your advice to heart. This has been a pass-heavy defense ever since--to a fault against Texas, actually--and this seems to upset Beck's stomach. You would think it would allow him to get into rhythm, but neither he nor the receivers have responded well. His body language isn't good when he misses, and he finds it hard to regain his confidence. Or so it appears.
Against Mississippi State, the pass-first approach did just what Kirby has always hated: it failed to protect the defense, which was gassed at the end. We're not able to pound the ball in the fourth quarter. It wasn't a problem in Austin, because the D picked itself up instead of waiting for the O to do it. It gave us the ball with a short field over and over and got us a lead early to take Sark's creativity out of the equation. This set up our pass rushers to hunt.
I like an aggressive, pass-attack O too. Who doesn't? There's no reason we have to throw eight picks off it, no reason for all the drops. But you can see that Kirby's obsession with ball-control football isn't stubbornness. It's based on what works for the kind of team he builds. What's happening is, he's adjusting to how the game has changed.
The drops? Don't overthink these. It ain't coaching. These guys all know how to catch a football. Follow this sport long enough and you'll see drops spread through a receiver corps like a bad cold. One guy drops one, other guys find themselves thinking, "Don't drop it!" and doing it, too. I expect this problem will change with the weather.
The best football is ahead for this team. If the players can stay away from their sportscars and women and keep their focus, they'll be favored all the way to the final championship game.
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