Concerned about the TCU flyover defense and how long it takes Monken to figure it out, but I think he will figure out a plan to score points. Heck, Michigan did put up 45 despite not scoring 2x from inside the 2.
Think Bennett could get confused with their drop 8 zone, so hoping UGA has a plan for that, or we could see bad Bennett and a couple picks from him
UGA needs to stop the run and put Dugan in 3rd and long frequently
Dugan can run and pick up 1st downs on scrambles and need to keep him contained in the pocket
Think this one is either going to be UGA by 20+ or a really tight game that comes down to the end
Michigan did a lot of damage with McCarthy scrambles and deep shots, which I think they were a bit better equipped to get done than Georgia. We'll see though, if guys are open, Bennett can definitely hit them.
Easy to see this one being defined by either QB melting down while facing something new.
Ian, I just talked myself into Georgia winning big before reading this article, and now I’m back to my usual Munson-ing. All very good points, and all well taken. One question though: did Texas actually deploy three offensive tackles against TCU? And do you actually see that as comparable to deploying Darnell Washington? I agree that he blocks like a tackle, but then he does things like this: https://twitter.com/zachkleinwsb/status/1609334205720285186?s=46&t=fDQms2NJqWo0E24ABVFDTA
Your football theories have taught me a lot about how modern offenses and defenses are developing, but I wonder, is there a chance that Georgia is zigging while everyone else is zagging and creating a new type of offense on their own? Next year Georgia will return Bowers and Oscar Delp, and is the odds on favorite to land four out of the top ten (not a typo) Tight End recruits. Could this be a new type of Space Force in a versatile 6’6” frame?
No, won't be space force but that doesn't mean it won't be effective.
Texas played Kelvin Banks and Christian Jones at left and right tackle and then routinely used Andrej Karic at tight end. Karic wasn't a receiver, they lined him up ineligible a bunch, he was just extra beef and an athletic, extended edge for pass rushers to try and get around.
Darnell is better because he can catch the ball, but the notion he'll allow Georgia to run over TCU in a way Michigan and Texas couldn't I think is a bit dubious. I don't think missing physicality was the problem for those schools, it was handling the angles and confusion.
The problem for Georgia is that TCU will have zero hesitation about cluttering the middle of the field and playing press-man coverage outside. Normally an elite team with a great power run game could turn the release valve by hitting shots over the top, but TCU isn't super vulnerable to that because their cornerbacks are good and Georgia isn't built for it.
Ian, you’re one of the best college football writers out there and I always appreciate how you respond to all your readers. But as the other poster said, you’re still severely underestimating Monken. Dawgs are going to win and more than cover. Looking forward to your historical analysis of a potential threepeat. Go Dawgs!!
Pulling hard for the Hypno Toads but the Dawgs are a whole different beast than Michigan. Think TCU will cover but Georgia pulls it out in the end. The wildcard, as you say, could be Duggan’s legs. Some designed QB runs or bash concepts from their spread sets might cause the Dawgs some trouble. Probably won’t be enough though IMO.
Here are my thoughts as a UGA fan:
Concerned about the TCU flyover defense and how long it takes Monken to figure it out, but I think he will figure out a plan to score points. Heck, Michigan did put up 45 despite not scoring 2x from inside the 2.
Think Bennett could get confused with their drop 8 zone, so hoping UGA has a plan for that, or we could see bad Bennett and a couple picks from him
UGA needs to stop the run and put Dugan in 3rd and long frequently
Dugan can run and pick up 1st downs on scrambles and need to keep him contained in the pocket
Think this one is either going to be UGA by 20+ or a really tight game that comes down to the end
Michigan did a lot of damage with McCarthy scrambles and deep shots, which I think they were a bit better equipped to get done than Georgia. We'll see though, if guys are open, Bennett can definitely hit them.
Easy to see this one being defined by either QB melting down while facing something new.
Sooooooooo....guess none of that mattered...
Ian, I just talked myself into Georgia winning big before reading this article, and now I’m back to my usual Munson-ing. All very good points, and all well taken. One question though: did Texas actually deploy three offensive tackles against TCU? And do you actually see that as comparable to deploying Darnell Washington? I agree that he blocks like a tackle, but then he does things like this: https://twitter.com/zachkleinwsb/status/1609334205720285186?s=46&t=fDQms2NJqWo0E24ABVFDTA
Your football theories have taught me a lot about how modern offenses and defenses are developing, but I wonder, is there a chance that Georgia is zigging while everyone else is zagging and creating a new type of offense on their own? Next year Georgia will return Bowers and Oscar Delp, and is the odds on favorite to land four out of the top ten (not a typo) Tight End recruits. Could this be a new type of Space Force in a versatile 6’6” frame?
No, won't be space force but that doesn't mean it won't be effective.
Texas played Kelvin Banks and Christian Jones at left and right tackle and then routinely used Andrej Karic at tight end. Karic wasn't a receiver, they lined him up ineligible a bunch, he was just extra beef and an athletic, extended edge for pass rushers to try and get around.
Darnell is better because he can catch the ball, but the notion he'll allow Georgia to run over TCU in a way Michigan and Texas couldn't I think is a bit dubious. I don't think missing physicality was the problem for those schools, it was handling the angles and confusion.
The problem for Georgia is that TCU will have zero hesitation about cluttering the middle of the field and playing press-man coverage outside. Normally an elite team with a great power run game could turn the release valve by hitting shots over the top, but TCU isn't super vulnerable to that because their cornerbacks are good and Georgia isn't built for it.
Ian, you’re one of the best college football writers out there and I always appreciate how you respond to all your readers. But as the other poster said, you’re still severely underestimating Monken. Dawgs are going to win and more than cover. Looking forward to your historical analysis of a potential threepeat. Go Dawgs!!
They're working the misdirection game well early.
Severely overrating Michigan and underrating Todd Monken have been your misses in the playoffs.
Georgia will cover.
https://twitter.com/senor_crappy/status/1612642990211694592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1612642990211694592%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=
Scheme, talent, all that is great. But put it together… right now, ain’t nobody fv*^#ng with Kirby
Pulling hard for the Hypno Toads but the Dawgs are a whole different beast than Michigan. Think TCU will cover but Georgia pulls it out in the end. The wildcard, as you say, could be Duggan’s legs. Some designed QB runs or bash concepts from their spread sets might cause the Dawgs some trouble. Probably won’t be enough though IMO.
Great write up as usual. These Big12/B10/SEC match ups are so much fun to watch for the different schemes in play.