We all know “The Narrative.” Kirby can’t beat Alabama, the Tide owns UGA at home, Georgia always manages to play too conservatively against Bama, injuries to the Tide’s best players are the only reason Georgia wins. Layered on top of that last night were the following: Saban documentary release, followed by him saying the Tide will “dominate” Georgia, huge praise for their TEs, now “the best in college football,” their portal guys have made them so much tougher now, “Georgia ain’t played nobody this year, Paaaaawwwl!” Ho-Kay.
Here’s the new narrative. Down their top 2 RBs and 2 X-receivers, overcoming a massive penalty differential, the Dawgs mauled the Tide yet again, this time at their place. Georgia owns Bama now. Feels pretty, pretty good. I don’t care about that bang-bang missed PI call on KJ. If we want to tally up all the missed calls and Bama Privilege seen last night, I can start the list: Uncalled pick play OPI on crossing pattern to Coleman-Williams for the first down, yet Georgia called for it on their first drive when Reddell got hurt. Missed offsides call against Pierre. Birmingham calling in to change first downs, and where punts went out of bounds. Innumerable uncalled holding on the interior line. Not starting the game clock after 2 first downs spotted during the critical Bama TD drive at the end the first half. The phantom holding on Reddell during the first drive of the second half that negated a 45 yard Peanut run. Not calling roughing on the safety blitz against Gunner. Need I go on? Deboer, go lay down by your dish. 😤 On to the bullets.
- The beginning of first drive sure did feel like last year in Athens with multiple converted 3rd and 4th downs, until the narrative changed with JJA’s great pass rush and forced fumble. Then the game was on.
- Really tough game for Q. Gave poor effort on the early 4th down run from Russell, missed several key edge setting assignments, was poor in coverage on the TD, had multiple missed chances at sacks. But he did play with aggression and picked up a nice sack later on.
- Thought Nate would play, and it’s still not clear whether he sat out because of his ribs or something else. Made me wonder: Did Kirby hold them out to prove you can win a big game without your two best skill position players? Asking for a friend.
- With the top 2 backs out, all I wanted from Peanut was ball security and a few big runs. He gave us so much more. What a performance. 17 rushes for 120 yards, and maybe his biggest play was the 5 yard slip out from the goal line after initially being stuffed on the last scoring drive.
- Gunner had a steely look of determination all game long. He wanted this one badly.
- When the OL dominated the Bama front seven on that first drive, I knew the Dawgs would have a good chance of winning the game. Only penalties held them back.
- It was clear Kirby wanted to keep Bama’s receivers in front of them and make them complete passes, then tackle them immediately. That worked most of the time, but they got some YAC too.
- One of the keys to the game was pressure on Russell, and they did that really well in first half, which started to chip away at his confidence. But he would regain it on his next drive and played pretty well throughout. The kid is going to be a problem late this year and next year.
- Earnest Greene looked like he gained 30 lbs of bad weight since the last game. Might be why he struggled to get out on some screen blocking. But he played great inside the box.
- Not sure what was going on with Bobo’s snaps but they were extra powerful last night and one sailed over Gunner.
- Back-to-back spectacular passes from Gunner to the resurrected Reddell and then to Humphreys for the TD had to make NFL scouts consider Gunner a little more highly.
- I’ll give Bama a credit for a couple of things. First, they responded really well to Georgia scoring drives. Second, those TEs are really physical blockers. Other than Russell, that’s kinda all that separates them from other good teams.
- Still not sure what happened with the misread from Gunner that led to his second INT on the season, both on tipped passes.
- Khalil Barnes had his back though with the great TFL and PD on the next drive.
- Wonder if the wet ball caused Gunner to elongate his throwing motion again at times. The shorter motion throws definitely delivered better accuracy last night. He was so pinpoint throwing into coverage when he got his feet and motion down. Gorgeous throws to Dandridge and Taylor later on.
- Another shitty end of second half series of events. Started with a missed opportunity on the last Georgia drive with that tipped bootleg pass intended for Dandridge, then the crappy punt into the end zone and allowing Bama to drive down the field for a TD. Gotta get better there.
- Dawgs had a bad snap, a bad pick, a busted coverage, 2 bad missed tackles, a penalty to call a TD back, and a last second TD on a bad edge setting. Still only down 4 at half.
- But a great response with the first drive of the second half, so the middle 8 was a push.
- KJ’s night was a mixed bag, but mostly excellent with some vicious hits delivered in the box but a couple miscommunications in the back and a costly failed edge setting on the TD run.
- Loved the keeper decision by Gunner after seeing Pierre bite on the fake and after multiple short gains by Walker. He really took over the game on that first drive of the second half.
- Crowd noise had an effect, resulting in the most offensive penalties of the year. And yet, they overcame with overpowering blocking on the right side of the OL. Two super-long drives led by the OL blocking were the keys to the game, IMO.
- Although the perimeter blocking was inconsistent all game, Elyiss Williams was elite. Luckie was on fire too.
- Walk-on safety Blake Stewart for MVP on that muffed punt recovery. Holy hell, I threw up in my mouth on that one.
- Deboer was so obsessed and in his feelings with the uncalled PI on Bolden, he seemed to distract from the actual game.
- Watching the team get tight at the end was nerve-wracking, as we were concerned Kirby was gonna stay super conservative. And then Bobo made a ballsy call and Gunner threw a perfect pass to Elyiss on 3rd down with their backs to the goal line. Wowza.
- The game was for all intents and purposes over at that point, but then Dijon Lee – who was already in hot mustard 😉 many times in coverage after being targeted all night – lost his cool and put the final nail in Bama’s coffin. Best supporting actor nom to Craig Dandridge.
The broadcast was so infuriating last night. Chris and Kirk could not control their outpouring of love for Saban and all things Alabama. It was highly overproduced and disgusting. 5.8 ypc, over 450 yards of offense, outgained Bama by over 100 yards, Gunner with 183 passer rating, down 4 of their best skill players, but the brilliant Chris Fowler said Georgia was lucky to win. Go back to Wimbledon, asshole.
The curse is gone, and Bama is just another good team now. That feels right. The Barn is up next. The Dawgs are an extremely banged up team. Bolden, Peanut, Frazier, Bowens, Canion, Blackshear, Reddell, and probably others could be out or significantly hampered next week. It’s at home though, so let’s make sure we give the rested War Tigers their due. The team is really gonna need some fan support next week to avoid the letdown. Go Dawgs!
Great recap. My key takeaway was how well our O/L played against a very physical Bama front. Rushing for over 200 yds with 3rd and 4th string backs carrying the mail says it all. I felt all along that Bama would lose their composure at some point and they took a while but they delivered. This was a program victory in so many ways……Go Dawgs!
I understand that the 5 ol played the entire game without subbing
If that’s correct: Wow
Look out fuckers, here come the Dawgs.
Running game is elite. I now hate Fowler more than any other broadcaster and that’s saying something. Go Dawgs!!
Best game Bobo has called in a long time. I believe UGA converted on a 3rd and short with a designed QB run in what looked to be an empty set. I’d need to rewatch. Gunner ran a few other times for big plays.
TEs were used more as receivers.
I have complained about drops in the UGA passing game. They were catching passes in a wet game.
I also like the Defense’s game plan. Take away big throws, force yards after catch. DL was doing their job and LBs moving to fill in. Bama had their big plays but kept the young QB over thinking. The current game isn’t the 9-6 world of the LSU Bama game. The Bama QB showed class after the game tlaking to Gunner and will grow into his position. He had his moments and the scramble drill where he thrrew as he going down was a great play. UGA was able to get stops and sacks.
Yes UGA had fumbles, tackles where they didn’t get their man to the ground. It is Bama and UGA fought for the W.
Skycast was better than the primary broadcast but I’d like a bit more zoomed out more regularly. Camera work was off at times. Herbie is such a Bama homer.
Pretty sure the Gunner run was a fake toss and he ran a counter, but still check. Awesome play designs by Bobo.
3, God bless him, did not have the best game. Once Kirbs sees the film, I would suspect we will see some changes at DE/OLB.
Fowler can suck the big one. He was definitely on the Saban/Bama train all night.
6-0 sounds/feels really good. DAWGS are now legit in my mind. Sky’s the limit!
***Reported elsewhere that Bowens gone for the year — broken foot.
Really? Ugh, that sucks.
It sure changes those NC possibilities. I do t think it happens without him.
Will be tough for sure, but I was surprised by Peanut’s toughness, and maybe Walker grows into the #3 role.
3 was awful. The jogging as 12 takes off was unacceptable. He needs to become familiar with the look of Sanford Stadium steps pre dawn for that one.
I couldn’t believe they forced Herstriet and Fowler onto us for the skycast. No problem. I muted the TV and listened to Radi Nabulsi and Jim Donnan.
I watched that this morning, much better.
I
This team has the makings of another NC IF they can stay healthy.
Sorry about the double post. I messed up the first one…Last night I was dealing with a busted water heater and the surrounding chaos, while listening mostly to the radio call. I was able to pop in and out of the ABC coverage but I was left angry every time I did. A couple of quick things…
Special teams seemed kind of mediocre (if not worse) last night. Weather was certainly a factor but I hate it, HATE IT, when we miss a fg. Any thoughts from you guys who were there or were able to watch the whole game?
Also, I fully recognize I’m partial/biased towards UGA but all the talk about an asterisk surrounding the victory has really pissed me off today.
Woodring didn’t plant well and his ankle slipped which rotated his kicking foot, resulting in a slight draw.
“Not starting the game clock after 2 first downs spotted during the critical Bama TD drive at the end the first half.“
As a muted Skycast watcher I did not hear an explanation, but I thought Kirby was taking his TOs there (and I am not second guessing him, okay, maybe a little), but the clock doesn’t run during a TO. Am I wrong about that? It did look like they ran 3 plays with 5 seconds on the clock when they started, which seems kind of impossible.
One of these was before the TOs began, and they got 3 extra seconds. Another was after the ball was spotted and before the TO occurred. The clock should have been running.
Enjoyed the recap almost as much as the game last night. What a ridiculous ride, with Fowler & Herbie fella ting everything crimson all night. Finally. FINALLY! It goes our way. We had so many mistakes & got away with so many miscues. Fumbles, missed tackles, broken plays. But this time Bama goes home crying. I love it. What an effort, what a coaching job, what a performance on the big stage. Hopefully we have enough uninjured players to field a team next week.
Beautiful, hideous win. Gunner continues to impress. Sacovie (to quote the Goffster) has gotta get betta. He nearly killed us late.
Another excellent recap.
The announcers hit a new level of biased coverage. How dare Georgia beat bama during Saban week.
The. oline especially the second half was dominant. Peanut and company going off for over 200 yards rushing. Gunner had the time needed to pick apart their D. Was that Gunner’s most accurate passing game ever. Gunner was the best QB on the field last night.
Winning on third down offensively and defensively in that environment was very impressive. Getting a few breaks like not losing the botched punt fumble or a second pick certainly helped. We’re still a long way from even on the lucky breaks against bama.
I’ll say it again peak Kirby is back on the mutha. That’s real bad news for everyone else.
My apologies to the entire WR room for not mentioning what a great game they played.
Taylor, Dandridge and Humphreys were really good. Catching wet balls ain’t easy.
Our 3rd and 4th string backs averaged 7 yards a carry. Just imagine what Metchie and Williams would have done.
Exactly.
Y’all remember exactly when the series flipped in Jacksonville? Yeah, me neither…but I think it was somewhere right around this moment in the rivalry.
Worst case 2017, but arguably 2012.
It was Jarvis Jones who did it snatching that ball out at the end. Not been the same series since.
That’s my opinion as well, 2012.
I thought Dandridge had a near death experience trying to coax the flag. It worked.
print it, frame it, awesome pic
Hang it in The Louvre!