For all the hype that Saturday received based on how last year’s matchups between Georgia and Ole Miss went, this one was a letdown. Nevertheless, there’s absolutely nothing to be upset about with a rout of a win, especially when its in prime time.
Here are ten thoughts from Georgia’s outright domination on Saturday against the Rebels.
1. Nope, I did not see this coming. Was there a feeling that Georgia could go into Oxford and win? Yes. Even looking ahead to this game, there was a feeling that Georgia could exploit
the ground game. But if you’d of told me that by game’s end that the Bulldogs would hold an Ole Miss offense averaging 37 points a game to just seven, I’d of laughed in your face. That’s what makes wins like this so satisfying – that you did not see it coming.
2. Georgia has started games strong multiple times this year, but the three opening drives in which the Bulldogs did not only score, but did so physically may have been the best tone-setting sequence of the season, without question. It sent the message that the intent was to punch Ole Miss in the mouth, and the Rebels were not able to respond. Drew Miller’s punt on the one-yard line added to the start as well.
3. Bemoan running between the tackles all you want, but when it works like it did on Saturday night, there’s no reason to avoid doing it. The same goes for the quick screen game, which, like it or not, may as well be part of a basic run game these days across the football landscape. Is running it between the tackles a cure for insomnia? That’s a solid argument. But when your offensive line imposes its will like Georgia’s did on Saturday you go with what works – even if its keeping it between the tackles.
4. There’s no other way to sum it up. Gunner Stockton outplayed Trinidad Chambliss. His second-half scramble-drill touchdown was one of those ‘leave them all stunned plays’ and was very similar to something that a previous Heisman finalist in Athens would have done – Stetson Bennett. If Stockton keeps that up, he deserves a Heisman invite.
5. For the second week in a row, an opposing offense had a nightmarish day against Georgia. Although one narrative is how poorly those teams have played, maybe it instead be that it’s a result of how well the Bulldogs’ attacked defensively? To not suggest so is an insult to everyone on the defensive side of the ball at Georgia.
6. Yes, a game being halted for items being thrown on the field is embarrassing. But this is not an Ole Miss problem. Georgia fans saw this first-hand at the Texas game, and the actions by Tennessee fans, even if sparked by Lane Kiffin were a whole other level of tarnish. But until schools get iron-fisted about these incidences of individuals having no ability to accept that fact that sometimes in life, results occur that you do not like, scenes like we saw on Saturday will continue. Clearly, whatever deterrents schools and athletic departments are using is not working.
7. Georgia’s gotten away with it due to margins of victories, but Peyton Woodring appears to have some bad kicker mojo hanging around him. It’s been a non-issue so far, but what if it’s a close game?
8. Let’s just accept the fact that there will be no night games at Sanford Stadium this year. With Mizzou at 3:30 and Georgia Tech being embarrassingly bad, I would be on that being the case. It stinks for fans who enjoy night games, but consider this – that’s five or six hours gained a week before South Carolina, and given how well the Gamecocks are surging and Georgia’s history at Williams-Brice, Kirby Smart will likely want any extra time he can get to game plan.
9. Speaking of the Mizzou game, the Tigers can still get into the CFP by winning out, so look for them to be desperate. A fighter backed into a corner is a threat to be watched, especially with the offensive weapons that the Tigers have.
10. Nate Frazier is healthy, and Chauncey Bowens is getting close to being able to contribute as well. This team is getting healthier at the right time, and if this team was able to make do for a the past few weeks with less than a full deck of cards, think of what it could be in the present, especially on offense.
Go Dawgs!
