Krystal is our new sponsor of the Georgia 3-2-1 Report. I hope you all grabbed some victory squares on your way home from Charlotte.
Three Observations
3. Double crow. I was wrong about the Clemson game last week. I didn’t think UGA was ready to beat the Tigers. I tried to get across the point this team, by the end of the season, would stand a much better chance. Too many injuries, too little experience.
I said they needed to show me. Well, they did. Although the score left much to be desired, the Dawgs demoralized the Tigers in front of the second most viewed Kickoff Saturday game in the last 20 years.
This UGA defensive front is nuts. Seven sacks. One of those sacks came on a three-man rush in which Nolan Smith folded DJ Uiagalelei faster than a chair holding Kevin Mays. My understatement last week was that the “2021 interior defensive line is better now.” I thought the Clemson offensive line would be more than a speed bump. DJ could have found more protection from a gas station vending machine condom.
Still, the offense needs to get going. Three points are quite surprising, considering Ohio State scored at will on that defense. Wide receiver blocking was abysmal (except for Justin Robinson), but will improve. The Bulldogs will also get healthier on offense. They are now down four five-star players. Maybe five. Walk-on wide receivers played 38 snaps for the Dawgs last week. Again, when this team is fully healthy, watch out.
2. Second thoughts. I still think the defensive backfield is a concern. The Chris Smith pick-six was the game-winner against Clemson, but three pass interference calls were less than ideal. Nor were all the Clemson receivers running around wide open. I mentioned last week that the “play of the secondary will decide the game...Both teams will need to pressure the quarterback to help out the secondary.” I didn’t think that one play would literally determine the outcome. I meant, could the secondary avoid giving up big plays? For the most part, they did. But then it is a lot easier to shut down receivers when the Georgia front seven hurries the quarterback on 26 drop-backs. Add in those seven sacks and two passes that were knocked down. So, maybe like an Alabama mother-in-law, I am just looking for something to complain about.
Also, you have to be excited for guys like Chris Smith and Latavious Brini. They waited their turn and worked their tails off behind some guys who are now in the NFL. But on the big stage last week, they were rewarded for all that work. They could have hopped in the transfer portal a long time ago and found playing time elsewhere. Two of UGA’s defensive backs from last year are starting for other teams. But these guys stuck around and showed out in front of 8.9 million viewers.
1. Catbird seat. How many times in the past have you as Georgia fans been frustrated by trying to do conference math? At some point, the Dawgs lose a game, and the message from the coach and players is, “Well, we still have our goals in front of us despite blah, blah blah.” Then there is a second loss and now you need a slide rule and flow chart to figure out who needs to beat whom so UGA can make it to Atlanta. How many times have you googled “SEC tiebreakers?” Too often.
Had UGA lost Saturday, that would have been the line. Hell, we heard it before the game from Kirby Smart himself, saying this out of conference game wouldn’t affect their goals in the SEC and they zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
But UGA won. And now the Dawgs have a mulligan. The SEC Championship game is no longer a certain de facto play-in game for the playoffs. Georgia is holding a win over the ACC Champions and perennial playoff contenders. Dawg fans need not be on pins and needles for the entire season thinking that any slip-up is the end of all hope. Georgia still needs to win out and should. But do not underestimate how much more enjoyable this season is going to be. Let everyone else do the math.
Two Questions
2. How does the line shake out? If you thought I was pessimistic last week, just imagine how negative this column would have been had we known Georgia was going to lose Tate Ratledge in the first quarter. One of the few certainties of fall camp was that he was the right guard. Then the Dawgs had to replace him against the nation’s best defensive line with a one-handed guy who has worked at center for nine months,
But to his credit, Warren Ericson is a big, happy gladiator. He kicked ass. So, too, did the entire offensive line. I asked the questions last week, “So which team’s line can protect its quarterback the best? Which team’s offensive line can run the ball? I don’t know the answer, but if either team can do both, they win this game.” Georgia answered both in a resounding fashion. JT Daniels was protected like a baby bear cub, and didn’t even get his jersey dirty.
This week the question is how does the line shake out? You’ve seen Dash and Trent’s insider note from earlier, but I think that comes later in the game. I expect Georgia to start the way it finished the last game.
LT - Jamaree Salyer
LG - Justin Shaffer
C - Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
RG - Warren Ericson
RT - Warren McClendon
Early on they will bring on Broderick Jones to play left tackle and move Salyer to left guard. Jones will be able to lean on Salyer’s experience as they line up side by side. Shaffer will move to right guard. Ericson could alternate at center some with Van Pran-Granger.
1. What about the wideouts? Will we see a shakeup among Georgia’s wide receivers? I don’t expect wholesale changes there. Jermaine Burton, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Adonai Mitchell, Ladd McConkey, and Justin Robinson will do the heavy lifting. Dominick Blaylock, despite dressing out last week, still isn’t ready. And according to Kirby Smart, neither is Kearis Jackson. Both could play a role as we saw last week, when Jackson was in on punt returns, but no need to force the issue. Besides, there’s always Brock Bowers (see below). As for Arian Smith, the speedster was instrumental in pinning the Tigers deep in their territory despite having turf toe. He will get more than just special teams work this week as they slowly bring him back and make use of his elite speed.
Also, defensive back Nyland Green is not working at wideout.
One Prediction
When we broke the news that JT Daniels had an oblique issue, we noted that he was going to practice Wednesday. He did. But he also split reps with Carson Beck. That same day, I was assured by some of the highest sources in the program that Daniels, with rest, would be fine for the game... “Unless something happens between now and Saturday.”
This is Georgia football. This is where three players are hit by cars in less than a calendar year. This is where two potential starters can each break the fifth metatarsal bone in their foot on the same day. This is where a quarterback decides two weeks before the season he’s going to opt out. This is where two players on the same team have had two ACL injuries apiece. This is where phantom fumbles, phantom celebrations, and phantom offsides determine the outcome of games.
So of course something happened. Or rather someone wised up.
This UAB team is good. It has maybe one of the best secondaries UGA will see in the early season. The Blazers have two veteran quarterbacks who know how to operate. They have a good kicking game and are physical upfront. Georgia will need to execute and not have any Clemson hangover.
But this is not a conference game. I think someone realized that, and I expect them to hold Daniels out of the game.
Carson Beck’s trainer has said his protégé will start this Saturday. I ignored that, as trainers are notoriously wrong. But when Beck’s high school coach recently told a source that Beck was starting, I paid attention.
Still, I'm suspicious. There's been a concerted effort to keep the quarterback news under wraps. Maybe those guys are right and Beck gets the start. But I don’t see it.
I predict Stetson Bennett the 26th will get the start. And before the usual detractors show up, let’s note that Bennett beat four SEC teams last year, two of which were ranked at the time. He was the only quarterback in the nation to have a lead on Alabama at halftime. He was looking great against Florida before he was injured, and he still tried to finish that game.
Is he short? Yes, for a football player. But he’s the same size as Alabama’s Bryce Young, the latter of which is signing million-dollar NIL deals. Bennett may not have all those deals. Bennett is using his NIL platform to raise money for charity. And when it comes to running the offense for Todd Monken’s system, Bennett is money.
P.S. Thanks to all who tuned into the Watch Along Show with Jim Donnan. Don't miss this week's show. Also, thanks to all who called into the postgame overreaction show. That was a lot of fun.
Three Observations
3. Double crow. I was wrong about the Clemson game last week. I didn’t think UGA was ready to beat the Tigers. I tried to get across the point this team, by the end of the season, would stand a much better chance. Too many injuries, too little experience.
I said they needed to show me. Well, they did. Although the score left much to be desired, the Dawgs demoralized the Tigers in front of the second most viewed Kickoff Saturday game in the last 20 years.
This UGA defensive front is nuts. Seven sacks. One of those sacks came on a three-man rush in which Nolan Smith folded DJ Uiagalelei faster than a chair holding Kevin Mays. My understatement last week was that the “2021 interior defensive line is better now.” I thought the Clemson offensive line would be more than a speed bump. DJ could have found more protection from a gas station vending machine condom.
Still, the offense needs to get going. Three points are quite surprising, considering Ohio State scored at will on that defense. Wide receiver blocking was abysmal (except for Justin Robinson), but will improve. The Bulldogs will also get healthier on offense. They are now down four five-star players. Maybe five. Walk-on wide receivers played 38 snaps for the Dawgs last week. Again, when this team is fully healthy, watch out.
2. Second thoughts. I still think the defensive backfield is a concern. The Chris Smith pick-six was the game-winner against Clemson, but three pass interference calls were less than ideal. Nor were all the Clemson receivers running around wide open. I mentioned last week that the “play of the secondary will decide the game...Both teams will need to pressure the quarterback to help out the secondary.” I didn’t think that one play would literally determine the outcome. I meant, could the secondary avoid giving up big plays? For the most part, they did. But then it is a lot easier to shut down receivers when the Georgia front seven hurries the quarterback on 26 drop-backs. Add in those seven sacks and two passes that were knocked down. So, maybe like an Alabama mother-in-law, I am just looking for something to complain about.
Also, you have to be excited for guys like Chris Smith and Latavious Brini. They waited their turn and worked their tails off behind some guys who are now in the NFL. But on the big stage last week, they were rewarded for all that work. They could have hopped in the transfer portal a long time ago and found playing time elsewhere. Two of UGA’s defensive backs from last year are starting for other teams. But these guys stuck around and showed out in front of 8.9 million viewers.
1. Catbird seat. How many times in the past have you as Georgia fans been frustrated by trying to do conference math? At some point, the Dawgs lose a game, and the message from the coach and players is, “Well, we still have our goals in front of us despite blah, blah blah.” Then there is a second loss and now you need a slide rule and flow chart to figure out who needs to beat whom so UGA can make it to Atlanta. How many times have you googled “SEC tiebreakers?” Too often.
Had UGA lost Saturday, that would have been the line. Hell, we heard it before the game from Kirby Smart himself, saying this out of conference game wouldn’t affect their goals in the SEC and they zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
But UGA won. And now the Dawgs have a mulligan. The SEC Championship game is no longer a certain de facto play-in game for the playoffs. Georgia is holding a win over the ACC Champions and perennial playoff contenders. Dawg fans need not be on pins and needles for the entire season thinking that any slip-up is the end of all hope. Georgia still needs to win out and should. But do not underestimate how much more enjoyable this season is going to be. Let everyone else do the math.
Two Questions
2. How does the line shake out? If you thought I was pessimistic last week, just imagine how negative this column would have been had we known Georgia was going to lose Tate Ratledge in the first quarter. One of the few certainties of fall camp was that he was the right guard. Then the Dawgs had to replace him against the nation’s best defensive line with a one-handed guy who has worked at center for nine months,
But to his credit, Warren Ericson is a big, happy gladiator. He kicked ass. So, too, did the entire offensive line. I asked the questions last week, “So which team’s line can protect its quarterback the best? Which team’s offensive line can run the ball? I don’t know the answer, but if either team can do both, they win this game.” Georgia answered both in a resounding fashion. JT Daniels was protected like a baby bear cub, and didn’t even get his jersey dirty.
This week the question is how does the line shake out? You’ve seen Dash and Trent’s insider note from earlier, but I think that comes later in the game. I expect Georgia to start the way it finished the last game.
LT - Jamaree Salyer
LG - Justin Shaffer
C - Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
RG - Warren Ericson
RT - Warren McClendon
Early on they will bring on Broderick Jones to play left tackle and move Salyer to left guard. Jones will be able to lean on Salyer’s experience as they line up side by side. Shaffer will move to right guard. Ericson could alternate at center some with Van Pran-Granger.
1. What about the wideouts? Will we see a shakeup among Georgia’s wide receivers? I don’t expect wholesale changes there. Jermaine Burton, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Adonai Mitchell, Ladd McConkey, and Justin Robinson will do the heavy lifting. Dominick Blaylock, despite dressing out last week, still isn’t ready. And according to Kirby Smart, neither is Kearis Jackson. Both could play a role as we saw last week, when Jackson was in on punt returns, but no need to force the issue. Besides, there’s always Brock Bowers (see below). As for Arian Smith, the speedster was instrumental in pinning the Tigers deep in their territory despite having turf toe. He will get more than just special teams work this week as they slowly bring him back and make use of his elite speed.
Also, defensive back Nyland Green is not working at wideout.
One Prediction
When we broke the news that JT Daniels had an oblique issue, we noted that he was going to practice Wednesday. He did. But he also split reps with Carson Beck. That same day, I was assured by some of the highest sources in the program that Daniels, with rest, would be fine for the game... “Unless something happens between now and Saturday.”
This is Georgia football. This is where three players are hit by cars in less than a calendar year. This is where two potential starters can each break the fifth metatarsal bone in their foot on the same day. This is where a quarterback decides two weeks before the season he’s going to opt out. This is where two players on the same team have had two ACL injuries apiece. This is where phantom fumbles, phantom celebrations, and phantom offsides determine the outcome of games.
So of course something happened. Or rather someone wised up.
This UAB team is good. It has maybe one of the best secondaries UGA will see in the early season. The Blazers have two veteran quarterbacks who know how to operate. They have a good kicking game and are physical upfront. Georgia will need to execute and not have any Clemson hangover.
But this is not a conference game. I think someone realized that, and I expect them to hold Daniels out of the game.
Carson Beck’s trainer has said his protégé will start this Saturday. I ignored that, as trainers are notoriously wrong. But when Beck’s high school coach recently told a source that Beck was starting, I paid attention.
Still, I'm suspicious. There's been a concerted effort to keep the quarterback news under wraps. Maybe those guys are right and Beck gets the start. But I don’t see it.
I predict Stetson Bennett the 26th will get the start. And before the usual detractors show up, let’s note that Bennett beat four SEC teams last year, two of which were ranked at the time. He was the only quarterback in the nation to have a lead on Alabama at halftime. He was looking great against Florida before he was injured, and he still tried to finish that game.
Is he short? Yes, for a football player. But he’s the same size as Alabama’s Bryce Young, the latter of which is signing million-dollar NIL deals. Bennett may not have all those deals. Bennett is using his NIL platform to raise money for charity. And when it comes to running the offense for Todd Monken’s system, Bennett is money.
P.S. Thanks to all who tuned into the Watch Along Show with Jim Donnan. Don't miss this week's show. Also, thanks to all who called into the postgame overreaction show. That was a lot of fun.
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