Here’s why I’m NOT worried about Saturday night when we address the (red) elephant in the room:
- Sacks, or lack thereof. Yet. In the first two games of the season, the Georgia defense only faced 44 passing plays. Between running and quick passes designed to thwart our pressure, the Bulldogs have only registered 4 sacks. And Tennessee is a run-heavy team, rushing the ball on 48 % of the snaps. But this week will tell. Sure, the Tide will try to run the ball but they know the best chance to score is to get those wideouts and playmakers in space with a chance to make a splash. We will have the opportunity to execute a pass rush, and I’m excited to see the results.
- A trap game. I can’t believe any of the Georgia players are overlooking Alabama because Kentucky is up next. But I can believe Alabama might not be in the present as much as the coaches would like. After all, the biggest game of their year is next week and that game has been circled for the last 50 odd weeks. Yammers and Jammers and Yellowhammers alike are on pins and needles, antsy and jittery for the chance to exact revenge on the nemesis of all things houndstooth. That’s right, week after next the Crimson Tide have the chance to slay the dragon, as they host… Vanderbilt. Anchor down!
- Our rush yards per game is up significantly over 2024. Currently at 209 yards a contest, Georgia has run for over 190 yards in all 3 games so far. Last season, that didn’t happen until late November (UMass). This is a positive development. If that holds up, Georgia can control tempo better, relieve pressure on the passing game, and lean on the run when needed – and rare was it last season when we could do any of those things.
The difference is Gunner Stockton. So I might start worrying about our running back production more, but for now the ground game is doing what is supposed to do: move sticks, burn clock. And we can utilize a true zone-read from the playbook. Because no matter how sneaky athletic Carson Beck was, you can’t effectively run a zone read if your quarterback can’t actually run the ball.
Now forgive me, as I was weaned at the nipple of Larry Munson’s scratch so here’s what does worry me about facing the team that just seems to have Georgia’s number:
1. The ball doesn’t hit the ground. In his first real start, opening a season in less than ideal conditions and against a hyped up and hungry Seminole defense, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson completed 23 passes for 254 yards and 2 scores. Now he did throw some incompletions and didn’t have his full receiving corps for the entire game. So what does he do next? Just a little 17 for 17 and 3 scores in early action against an overmatched Louisiana-Monroe squad. He follows that up with 24 for 29, 389 yards and 4 touchdowns against a B1G Wisconsin team. In his last two games, Simpson has more touchdown passes than incompletions. Even fighting from behind in Tallahassee, the RS Junior was 10 for 18 on 3rd down passes including 4 of 6 on 3rd and 10 yards plus. And that was when FSU knew it was coming.
So far, the Bulldogs are only allowing a 40% completion percentage on 3rd down, but Jalen Milroe wasn’t the most accurate passer and yet we watched him throw for season highs in completions, completion percentage, and yards passing. So this quarterback play frightens me, especially when the Georgia secondary is coming off a torching, and the kindest description is it serves as coachable moments.
2. The Alabama defense seems to be hitting its stride. They busted out for 4 sacks last week against Wisconsin, and now return possibly their best D-lineman in Tim Keenan. The cloud coverage and “swarm” defense creates multiple looks by moving their backers around pretty much everywhere. The different looks, sometimes even post-snap, are meant to confuse a quarterback and put defenders where the passer is looking. And to attack gaps, not just have responsibility for them. They’re getting off the field too – Alabama is 2nd in the nation in fewest defensive plays and 3rd nationally in passing yards allowed.
And this is what is going to face a fairly inexperienced Gunner Stockton. And a Bulldog offensive line that has allowed more penetration than I’m comfortable with. But they also know Stockton is mobile. If our wideouts can’t get separation, they can spy him and basically suffocate us. It certainly took a seasoned Carson Beck quite a few series to get a few busts and start moving the ball.
3. Ryan Williams. After turning him into a superstar in 2024, a big performance against a Kirby Smart secondary this year could make him a Heisman favorite. After leaving the FSU game with a concussion and sitting out game 2, Williams made his presence known when Wisconsin visited Tuscaloosa last week. 5 catches, 165 yards, 2 scores. The flea-flicker screen to Williams with a convoy out front was peak college football. Better was the very next possession where he caught it outside the right hash, threw on brakes to make the defender skate by, then cruised for a 41 yard touchdown
But don’t forget about the other guy, Germie Bernard. #5 started college at Michigan State, transferred for 1 year to Washington, then came with DeBoer to Alabama. He caught 50 balls last year, and is a perfect complement to Williams. 8 catches for 146 yards in Tuscaloosa and is still averaging 18 yards per reception. These guys make Ty Simpson’s job easy and might help keep Kalen DeBoer’s job.
Those deep balls to Chris Brazzell at Tennessee were very concerning. One player might make one mistake – but when it is multiple players and Ryan Williams is frankly a magician with his body and feet control, then we have a problem.
Call me crazy, just don’t call me late for dinner. Let us know in the comments what you’re feeling about facing a healthy Alabama Crimson Tide. And as always…
GO ‘DAWGS!!!
