ATHENS – Kirby Smart says it’s a matter of going to work again this week, but of course Georgia’s head coach knows his program is out of the top 10 for the first time since 2016.
The smart, coach who famously says, “Find a way to make it better if it doesn’t break,” must also know that when it breaks, it needs more than fixing.
It needs to change.
That’s the case for the quarterback with an afternoon game at Missouri on the deck for the 12th-ranked Bulldogs.
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Adaptability
The 2020 season has been the opposite of the previous one, with the training and practice schedule down.
Smart said it was the best when he said the program would win the favorable best.
Georgia, with all its talent and level of buying in the smarts, started the season, aiming for the championship halfway through its October 17 showdown in Alabama.
The Bulldogs, their select defense is healthy and intact, George Pickens is still in a huge line on offense, leading the tide, from 24-30 to 30 minutes.
Think about it: Less than a month ago UGA was leading the No. 1 team in the nation on the road at halftime.
But then Alabama’s defense adjusted and shut down Georgia’s offense in the final 30 minutes.
Other defenses have claimed, bringing more defenders closer to the line, challenging the UGA to a deeper defeat with QB Statson Bennett.
Bennett has six interceptions and three interceptions in the last three games, with only 32-of-69 passing (46 percent).
Smart wanted an offense that was efficient and could not turn the ball, and in the same way Bennett would look against Arkansas and Ubburn and most parts of the Tennessee games.
But things changed in Alabama with three contradictory and seven batted or tipped balls.
Kentucky was followed by two more interruptions and a second turmoil, followed by the defeat of Florida, where the Gators’ 35-yard line was followed by another hurdle with the game in balance.
The Good, the Bad, Ugly
Meanwhile, the defense is dealing with injuries, which were dealt with by the front-load schedule, which has been a problem since the time he was released.
More: The team’s senior captain Richard Laconte suffered injuries in a Halloween night motorcycle accident that caused him to be sidelined. And now that there are questions about the future of the Pickens, the star receiver is frustrated by the inability to get football in limited offense.
The good news is that offensive coordinator Guru Todd Monkey got his paycheck in Florida, stealing 14 points in the opening two series to breathe life into it.
The 3-tight end, 2-back formation and the opening game of the shift were pulled from the bag of his tricks, and Monken followed with a well-scripted 6-play, 61-drive that made it 14-0.
But then Bennett took a blow to his throwing shoulder and his arm weakened and that too less accurately.
Smart failed to take his own advice: Georgia did not accept.
Instead, Smart said, Bennett wanted to keep playing and would sign Smart until the team trailed by 20 points in the third quarter.
It was a decision that showed that Smart has shown the level of potential in Bennett that has provided opportunities for change.
Employee and personal decisions
This is where one wonders: would Smart not say it would be a good thing because of how he could give more time around players due to recruitment restrictions when Smart said he was close to this team?
What Kirby Smart or Georgia fans knew the first four seasons was perfect, calculating and sometimes even a cold decision maker.
Smart wasn’t all about the hot fuzzy – it was about fire and high standards on the side, and saved for the victory after the celebration and hug.
Can Georgia get Kirby back who wants to “eat!” One who said, “How do the ‘explosive’ dogs’ about them peek into the national camera post-post press conference?”
This is not to indicate that the smart has softened. It is not in his DNA.
But it’s fair to suggest that Smart’s close relationships with players influence employees ’decisions.
Stetson Bennett is an undersized South Georgia kid who was not heard or given a chance by many before he came to Athens.
Does Smart, subconsciously, see some of himself in Bennett?
Smart hired Monke to open Georgia’s crime scene with air raid principles. Monken has done the same, even if the results do not come with programs running similar schemes.
This issue is a crime, like any other, requiring a quarterback who can wound a cold.
D’Van Math may be deeply wounded, but he is still working on the accuracy of his accuracy and the touch touch required at the intermedia level.
Trophy quarterback
Is the U.S.C. Transfer J.T. Can Daniels be ready to be the answer?
Smart and Monkey to U.S.C. The film had a full season, with the former 5-star quarterback being offered a scholarship and competition before he could be seen in action.
This decision will play a role in leaving Wake Forest graduate transfer Jamie Newman. If things are going well with Newman, why bring Daniels?
Because they weren’t, Newman didn’t fit into the plan, and it became clear enough to him after he was disciplined.
The first time Smart called Daniels to the competition he was wearing heavy knee strain and that fall wasn’t at full speed in the neighborhood.
Smart said Daniels got a “ton of raps” in Prison, along with Mathis, on Saturday night.
But once Daniels was cleared to play before the season-opening game, Smart said he moved Daniels to the scout team. Smart said at the time that it was difficult to compete once the season started.
Since Bennett has been a smart guy in the quarterback, Mathis has worked with two pairs and Daniels was on the scout team except for the f week.
Smart said Daniels and Mathis worked with the other team during the bye week – but not the first team – as Bennett continued to get all those delegates.
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So what happens this week?
Is the smart stick with Bennett only on the first team, or does Daniels get a chance to get back into the mix?
What does the future of Georgia football crime look like this week?
To find a better place than the “show me” state.
Volumes will speak about the direction of the program, with Smart’s quarterback decision, fans and recruits deliberately watching.
