If you’re itching for college football, today’s the last day to see some Dawgs in action. Apparently, Dan Jackson has been showing out.

Also, this…

The game airs today at 2:30 on NFL Network.

Go Dawgs, one last time.

I wonder how they prepared for a game when there was inclement weather?

Herty’s office is a far cry from the facilities enjoyed by Kirby nowadays. I wonder if the letters at his desk are for recruiting? And what would the swag bag for recruits look like in the late 19th century?

Somehow I doubt they worried themselves with sending letters back home about playing football in Athens with the line “respect my decision”.

From some of the conversations lately, it’s obvious that the receiving room could use some upgrades, to which Coley and crew have been busy in both traditional recruiting as well as the portal. So much so, it has Coley as the 2nd highest rated recruiter in the SEC (and 4th nationally).

By comparison, Searels is 10th in the SEC and 4th as a OLine coach…behind Alabama, LSU, and Tennessee. He’s 14th nationally.

Searels was 43rd nationally in 2023, and 14th again in 2024

I posted earlier this morning two games to watch as perspective between the difference in this year’s run game. One thing I was keying on is yards before contact, or when does the first defender make any level of contact with the ball carrier. I included total yards gained on the play, but also a column “YBC” that shows how many of the achieved yards were achieved before contact.

Here’s the 2022 Georgia versus Auburn game:

For this study, I removed Stetson’s 64 yards TD as well as sacks from the data set, even though the Bennett TD was clearly a designed QB keep. Ditto with Carson’s kneels at the end of the game to run out the clock.

Here, by comparison, is the 2024 Clemson tilt:

Same as with the 2022 data set, I removed Carson’s scampers from the YPC data set, and, in contrast to Bennett’s 64 yard TD, Beck’s runs were busted plays and QB slides, so no contact occurred in the process. For both data sets, the percentage of yards before contact for the game is highlighted at the bottom.

Notes:

• There was a pretty big decline in YPC from 2022 to 2024, and that decline would’ve been more significant were it not for some untouched runs by Bell and Smith.
• One thing to note in watching the game, Monken almost always used a 12 personnel set, and Washington was almost always in tight while Bowers was used in multiple positions the keep defenses guessing. No doubt the attention to the unicorn loosens up the defense…but by contrast, even though our TE group was supposed to be a strength this year, Bobo preferred a lot of 11 personnel sets, and Delp and Luckie were often found in the slot or wide out rather than in tight.
• If there’s ever been one thing I’ve been critical about with Bobo, it’s running from the goddammed shotgun. Outside of Frazier’s one big gain where his happy feet and cutting skills garnered a huge gain, we’re getting nothing out of it. I understand that this is part of RPO, but even in his previous tenure, if you never have the QB option to keep the ball, it’s fooling absolutely no one and leading to a predictable loss or short gain.
• Aside from the data above, one thing I noticed was that (a) there was significant seasoned talent on the 2022 team all around and (b) swing passes don’t seem to gain a lot in either the Monken or Bobo offenses in the two games. What may be the difference, though, is that Monken likely used the swing to set something up or keep the defense loose, with Bobo I don’t have a real good feel for why or when it’s used.
• Most notable in the two games is that the receivers were absolute studs when it came to blocking for the run. As you can see from the data above, there’s were way more yards before contact in 2022, and lots of that can be attributed to receivers doing their jobs and also having Delp, Bowers, and Washington on the field at the same time.
• There’s a pretty concerning talent shortage in the running back room right now. While I understand injuries and so forth, Milton, Edwards, McIntosh, and Robinson (pre-injury) were a sight to behold. Of the group, Robinson showed the most promise, but the others were solid downhill runners and could get the job done. Frazier definitely has an upside, but Robinson, even in his brief time this year, showed a hesitancy to hit the holes and go downfield compared to his 2022 self. More shifting and dancing and not enough power…and after that, we had Jones and Bowens (and eventually Etienne).
• That brings me to this – is the current appetite in Athens to move away from Manball Kirby so much we are looking for (throwback term here) scatbacks and shifty guys versus north-south running? If this is the case, color me concerned. Positive yards, downhill running, and solid run blocking isn’t something that should be lost in any offense in Athens (in my opinion).
• Did we also try to go and get receivers that are more talented at the routes/catch/speed than being solid run blockers? Young was fairly slack in this regard, and I can’t say Lovett or Thomas really wowed me in this regard…ditto Yurosek and Humphries.

In short, I’m no film expert and don’t attest to be, but I like data and I like it to start a conversation, not end one. Like many of you, I trust Kirby, but this is concerning. While offensive line play wasn’t great, maybe the offensive line wasn’t helped by predictability (see: shotgun run plays) or by poor perimeter play from receivers. Same with scheme…when you have a stable of great TEs, use them as much as you can if the weakness on that side of the ball is receivers.

Injuries and all, and I get that being a contributor to all this, there’s some head-scratching observations that can be made by examining the games and looking at the data. While a small sample set, it’s noted that the two games are played against teams with similar Defensive Yard Per Play outcomes and were both the best rushing production on the seasons (especially 2024) against P4 teams.

So what do you see, notice, or feel validated about when you see this?

I’m going to put these up for now, but I’m working on a data set regarding YBC – yards before contact – that occurred in a sample set of games in 2022 and 2024. To do so, I tried to find two games, one in each season, where we had close to the same yards per carry in the games box score and teams who had similar Defensive Yards Per Play from the two seasons.

The results for the games?

2022 – Georgia versus Auburn

2024 – Georgia versus Clemson

I’ll post the stats later today. For each run play outside of sacks, I’ll attempt to chart how many yards were gained on the ground prior to first contact alongside the total yards achieved on the play in total.

As you watch, if you have the time, note the play of the offensive line, the personnel sets (11, 12, 13 sets), as well as the TEs and WRs on the plays between the two games. I think that, without even revealing the data yet, it’s painfully obvious to see the difference in all of the above.

The good news – both games are lovely wins against people in orange.

The bad news – the issues go well beyond the offensive line play.

Enjoy or cry, depending on your mindset.

I tripped across an interesting perspective from across the pond that I thought worth sharing, because it aligns with my own.  In short, you have a supporter of both democracy and capitalism frustrated by being surrounded on both sides by those who can’t seem to grasp why things are the way they are economically and why they are likely to get worse.  Below are some videos of various lengths illustrating the issue with some brief captioning:

This first regards the fact that for the very rich wealth is exploding, as is government debt.  

The second regards scapegoating economic hardships which does nothing to advance the interests of those impacted by poor conditions.

The third notes that the only real power we have to create a fair, equitable economy is through taxation.  

The fourth makes the point that the post-war era of middle class prosperity is an historic anomaly, not the norm. The norm is feudalism. 

The fifth underscores that growth does nothing for regular people if all of that growth goes into the hands of the few.

The final one is a bit of a longer one that ties a lot of these themes together. 

Whether you agree or disagree with the redistributionist solutions, what is unavoidable is the fact that the rich ARE getting richer, governments ARE going deeper into debt and the middle and lower classes ARE feeling the squeeze. 

I personally do not think that an anti-capitalism perspective is an effective path out of this.  Nor do I think giving billionaires more and more economic and political power is a solution.  

For me, the solution is asking those who benefit the most from our society to invest into the next generation in order that paths other than the “sperm lottery” exist to make it in life.  The “if you work hard and play by the rules” you’re children will have a shot at the Dream is the American Dream line of thinking.  The way we make those investments in a capitalist democracy is via progressive taxation which in a very real sense does not exist in this country any longer. 

(Please keep in mind that collecting money is an entirely separate concept from spending it.  That is another conversation.)

Discuss. 

Quite a culture they developed in Columbus, huh? Turns out “the greatest national championship team of all time” is losing some key coaching talent in the wake of their national championship. Not uncommon, mind you, given Lanning’s departure to Oregon after the 2021 season and Monken heading back to the pros after 2022.

So who is heading to the pros or becoming a head coach at another college program for the Suckeyes? No one is…it’s way better than that:

Penn State is offering over 3 million for a defensive coordinator. Quite frankly, I didn’t see Penn State’s woes as one from the defensive side of the ball, but the Shittany Liars lost their DC to Clemson (?). No doubt Knowles shores up the Ohio State defense, but can he do it with less NIL and possibly less talent?

Can you imagine winning a NC and get pantsed by James Franklin in the same week? How’d the world’s classiest program take the news. Let’s say not well:

Because of this, the Buckeyes made a simple requestto Knowles, according to Brett McMurphy of Action Network. His tweet states “He was asked by the school not to attend Buckeyes’ national title celebration while he deliberated his options, the source said.

“Knowles’ representation tried to reach a deal with OSU the week before the title game & immediately after, but the eventual offer was ‘well below’ the competition, the source said.”

Although seen as a “all in” investment made by the university akin to OSU’s investments in the off-season to “acquire” a national title, Penn State might need to realize that the problem likely ain’t the coordinators, it’s the head coach.

I will say this: if Penn State and James Franklin win a national championship in 2025, it’s just proof that you can buy titles and that actual coaching and development are no longer skill sets required by a head coach. With enough money, you could just hire a middle aged man with a PlayStation to run the program and the rest would take care of itself.

Word of caution here, that’s not five stars from a traditional recruiting agency…that’s a five star rating from Kohls Kicking. Not Kohls the department store…this is a pro camp agency of sorts that focuses on special teams. If you take a look at the staff I wondered if this was a football group or a hunting outfitter in South Georgia, but I digress.

Ferguson is listed at 5’10” and 145 pounds, or roughly one half of a Thorson. I don’t foresee him making tackles on kickoffs, so let’s hope that leg is mightier than Ferguson’s frame and that the touchbacks are plentiful.

Especially after what happened at the Sugar Bowl.

Based on yesterday’s post alongside EE’s this morning, I watched and started thinking in my head who was on the 2021 team that launched the program into 29 straight wins and two national titles, especially after the Eagles trounced the Commanders last night. Looking back, we were on rarified air:

Offense:

• QB – JT Daniels (preseason QB1), Carson Beck, Stetson Bennett (LA Rams), Brock Vandegriff
• RB – James Cook (Buffalo Bills), Zamir White (Raiders), De’Andre Swift (Bears), Kenny McIntosh (Seahawks)
• WR – Kearis Jackson (Texans), Ladd McConkey (Chargers), Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (Eagles), A.D. Mitchell (Colts), Jermaine Burton (Bengals, meh)
• TE – John Fitzpatrick (Falcons, Packers), Darnell Washington (Steelers), Brock Bowers (Raiders)
• LT – Jamaree Salyer (Chargers), Xavier Truss, Broderick Jones (Steelers)
• LG – Justin Shaffer (Falcons, Brahmas), Devin Willock
• C – Sedrick VanPran-Granger (Bills), Warren Ericson
• RG – Tate Ratledge, Owen Condon, Chad Lindberg
• RT – Warren McClendon (Rams), Amarius Mims (Bengals)

That’s a butt-ton of NFL talent on one side of the ball. Methinks this would be a coordinators dream, and grateful we had an NFL caliber coordinator to do magical things with a magical group. On to the defense:

• DE – Travon Walker (#1 Pick overall, Jaguars), Tramel Walthour (Ravens)
• NT – Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter (both on Eagles), Zion Logue (Falcons)
• DT – Devonte Wyatt (Packers), Nazir Stackhouse, Warren Brinson
• LB – Nolan Smith (Eagles), Robert Beal (49ers), Chazz Chambliss
• SLB – Adam Anderson, Xavien Sorey, MJ Sherman
• MLB – Nakobe Dean (Eagles), Rian Davis, Trezmen Marshall
• $LB – Quay Walker (Packers), Channing Tindall (Dolphins), Smael Mondon
• Star – Latavious Brini (Jaguars), Tykee Smith (Bucs), Javon Bullard (Packers)
• LCB – Derion Kendrick (Rams), Nyland Green, Jalen Kimber
• RCB – Ameer Speed (Bears), Kelee Ringo (Eagles), Kamari Lassiter (Texans)
• Strong Safety – Lewis Cine (Eagles), Dan Jackson
• Free Safety – Chris Smith (Raiders), Brini

Not only were the starters NFL talent, the two-deep in many cases from top to bottom were filled with NFL talent. Holy cow.

And what about the specialists?

• PK – Jack Podlesny (Packers)
• P – Jake Camarda (Bucs)
• LS – Payne Walker and William Mote
• KO Return – Kenny McIntosh and Zamir White
• Punt Return – Kearis Jackson or Ladd McConkey

Many of the people listed above who don’t have an NFL designation likely will in this coming draft. When viewed from this perspective, it’s less of a comparison to 2024’s roster and outcome and more of a question of “was there ever a doubt”? 40 years of wandering through the desert of futility will leave the average Georgia fan wondering “how are we going to screw this up this year”, but the 2021 and 2022 teams were LOADED.

Question is this – will this ever be duplicated again? Not by Georgia only, but is it even possible in the modern era of college football with the portal and NIL reigning supreme over roster management. Equally impressive is that many of the guys listed above remained for future years, where it’s more fashionable to transfer. Notably, over time, most of Georgia’s transfers occur at the WR and CB positions, which law of averages says will be the most likely to move anyway considering the raw number of roster positions filled by these players.

Given the most recent national championships from Ohio State and Michigan, much of their success has been attributed to the “super seniors” core that remained from COVID on through, which – based on perception – afforded teams more on-field leadership than others. Looking at the list above, it’s easy to see leaders all over the place…when reflecting on 2024, who were the leaders on the field? Beck? Ratledge? Mondon?

One thing that was also noted is that we’re seeing less and less blue chip hoarding among teams. At one time (2018), Georgia recruited seven five-stars in their #1 ranked recruiting class – Justin Fields, Salyer, Tyson Campbell, Zamir White, Tindall, Adam Anderson, and Quay Walker. Fields and Campbell both transferred out and had successful careers in college and the pros. We unfortunately know what happened to Adam Anderson. This year, Georgia had the highest number a five stars at 5, but even other programs famous for grabbing all the blue chip talent, like Ohio State, is seeing a decline in the number of five stars recruited. When you win a national championship relying on the portal, it behooves one to shift away from high school talent to talent on the market, and, apparently, it’s working.

I have no doubt we’ll lure in top talent for years at Georgia. What I wonder is how we’ll be able to ever achieve 2021 again, if ever. Being able to spell an athlete for a series or plays when you know the number two is a future draft pick makes one’s life as a coach easier…now that it looks like that roster management has gone the way of the Dodo, will philosophy and scheme shift knowing that the “next man up” isn’t as likely to be playing on Sundays once they leave Athens?

Ever wondered what stat might be more disappointing than the number of drops by wide receivers? Try this one on for size:

That’s more of an indictment on the offensive line, I fear. Thinking back to earlier in the season, I lamented that it seemed like defenders were in the backfield more frequently and quicker than in years past. Considering the backfield talent was better than in 2023, Etienne and Frazier both seemed like they couldn’t get to the line of scrimmage without disruption. It was painfully obvious in plays featuring either Robinson, as it was clear we were not going to be a three yards and a cloud of dust kind of year.

When Kirby was first hired, a coaching friend who had been a lineman at Northern Illinois, heard the news that Smart was bringing Pittman to Athens, at which point he stated “y’all’s biggest problem just became your biggest strength”. Man, I miss Pittman.

If I know one thing, it’s that Kirby doesn’t sit back and accept mediocre. I’m sure he’s on the mother…but if he’s not, 2025 is going to be rough sledding.