… comes from something Seth Emerson wrote ($$) in today’s “Five Things to Watch“: “This year’s offense could threaten the records set by the Aaron Murray-Todd Gurley offenses earlier this decade.”
Well, could it?
It’s a fascinating comparison. Using 2012 as a touchstone, you had peak Bobo (Georgia led the nation in yards per play), peak Murray (second nationally in passer rating) and… well, I’m not sure there was such a thing as peak Gurley, so let’s just leave it at plain old Todd Gurley.
What Georgia’s offense has going for it this season is a boatload of talent, deeper at all levels — most significantly, perhaps, at offensive line — than I’ve ever seen in Athens. I’m not exaggerating when I type that, at least I don’t think I’m exaggerating. [NOTE: Insert reference to 1992 offense here.] It’s certainly more talented overall than the 2012 team’s level was.
So, what do you think? I won’t go there and say the 2018 version of Jim Chaney is a match for Mike Bobo’s best job in Athens, but I’m not sure he’ll need to be in order for Georgia’s offense to match the results.
One thing I do feel certain in saying is that if the 2018 offense is anywhere close to threatening 2012’s production, this team is going to be hell on wheels, because there’s no way Smart and Tucker’s defense is going to be at Grantham’s 2012 level.
Mark Richt has lost control of our pre-season happy talk.
LikeLike
On paper, best I have ever seen….and I been following the dawgs, “long time now”. Scary thing is, it appears we have the right coach & staff. I would not be surprised to see the dawgs beat the record for PPG in ’14 this year. But who knows, we are still in “talking season”.
LikeLike
When Bobo would stick with that Pistol formation in 2012, that team could hang 40 on anyone.
LikeLike
Imagine what he could have done with the OL Cheney has helped build. Of course, if he could have built that kind of OL, there probably never would have been a job opening to fill in Athens. The OL this year seems like it could be historically good, which means that our experienced QB, talented corps of RBs, WRs and TEs, should all have a little more room to do what they do best. What a change from 12 months ago, huh?
LikeLike
Anyone else watch the games last night? Sounds like all of us might want to pack it in now that Jimbo is at TAMU. They had an hour long pre-game show where they blew smoke up his ass the entire time. Also, Purdue got jobbed. That was a fumble.
LikeLike
Believe it or not, the best game of the night was at Turner Field.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That or Tulane.
LikeLike
Tulane took the early lead on ‘ugliest uniforms’ last night.
LikeLike
Those helmets were glorious though
LikeLike
Humbly beg to differ. The light blue has been part of their school colors since its founding in the late 1890s. A classic, timeless look.
LikeLike
A powder blue jumpsuit with “ROLL WAVE” on the ass?
LikeLike
But give them some props on the turnover beads.
LikeLike
How about that Purdue freshman setting the school record for total yards in his first ever game? Kid was dynamic, to say the least.
LikeLike
Agree Chili. And the last PF, while a correct call, left the game’s outcome in the official’s hands
LikeLike
Yup, hated that. Think you keep the laundry in your pocket there. Cheap ending to a good game.
LikeLike
I thought the call was absolutely correct. Blame the dumbass defender who threw the RB to the ground when he was wrapped up by 3 guys and the whistle had already blown.
LikeLike
I’ve never understood the whole “let stuff go at the end of the game, let them decide it on the field” as opposed to “if it’s a foul, throw the flag/make the call, regardless of the time on the clock.” If you let crap go, you penalize the team trying to follow the rules. If it’s a penalty, call it. Don’t call ticky tack, chicken crap minimal contact/zero advantage borderline junk, but call a freaking hold a hold. Tech fans are still whining about the hold called on their DB against Hines Ward in 97, but it was a clear, simple call.
LikeLike
Agree 81, That’s what they did late in the game against ‘Bama..let stuff go..and it was all stuff Alabama did. And that cowardly behavior by the half assed refs not only changed the outcome of one game, but who, today, is reigning National Champions (and all that goes with it) and who, today, is first runner up. If you see a foul you would call in the first quarter, call it..even if it’s on the last play of the game.
LikeLike
BUT … can Hot Rod “Wild Thing” Blankenship (and I realize it technically is not “offense”) do the Fosbury flop at the pylon as well as Bobby Etter could??
LikeLike
The Kool-Aid is Red and Delicious. Please share with all your friends.
LikeLike
It tastes sooooo good. Especially this week. Heat index has been 100+ Where I am…. just three miles south of the Mason-Dixon line.
LikeLike
This is why I’m not too worried about this season. Offensively, we have all the weapons we’ve ever had, plus we have a nice, deep OL. Defense will be fine. This is Kirby’s baby.
My only worry is injuries.
LikeLike
Bobo’s crayons worked some serious magic. I don’t know if Chaney can color that well, even w/ the monster box of crayons (152 ct).
LikeLike
I certainly did not like the play calling the second half of the last game. Got conservative, also should have used Michel more. May have cost us the MNC. Watched him do something similar when he was at Arkansas when they were playing MIZZOU.
From what I remember, it was that they went away from running the ball to throwing it. They were having their way at the time running it, but couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn throwing it. Cost them the game…and from what I recall, it cost the Dawgs the east. Hate to win that way, but WTF.
Who knows if Chaney is making that decision or not, but it is not a good look.
LikeLike
“Did cost us the MNC game.” FIFY
While Chaney doesn’t have the imagination Bobo possessed, I do think this offense has something going for it that makes me think we might break that record: the 2nd team OL, QB, receivers, and RBs have littkle fall off from the 1st team. In other words, it will be hard to take your foot off the gas when we build a comfortable lead. Be interesting to see how they handle that tomorrow. Hapless opponent, need to give the young guys a chance to show what they can do in live action, etc. Hard to tell 4 & 5 star guys to lay down when they get a chance to shine and earn the coaches’ confidence.
LikeLike
Hope you are right….. I guess we will find out more when we run into a team that is equally as talented. But….there certainly ain’t too many of them.
LikeLike
Sony was hurt
LikeLike
Depends on how well that sharpener on the back is working.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nah, this offense will steamroll people, but that eats clock, which is exactly what Kirby wants. Thing is, if down on the scoreboard, this offense will be able to put points up quickly as well. No records, just wins.
LikeLike
Exactly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We know Fromm can operate at elite levels when the defense is focused on a running game that’s… well, elite doesn’t really do last year’s rushing attack justice. “Ultra elite?” I’m surprised the world of sports hyperbole isn’t already working on solutions for that one. “Elite” has become stale.
Can he run a passing attack that’s elite in its own right? I think the early returns suggest. “Yes.” And if that’s the case, what are defenses going to do? They have to play everything straight up, and there’s going to be a large mismatch in Georgia’s favor somewhere in every equation. Maybe the tight ends against this team. Swift for 200 against that team. WRs go off on this and that team.
Stars have aligned for this offense.
LikeLike
This year’s team might be the most efficient offense we’ve had (which would be great) but I don’t think it’s in Kirby’s nature to push the ball downfield like Bobo/Richt liked to do. I still think we’ll want to pound the rock, wear teams down, and begin to finish them off in the middle of the third quarter.
LikeLike
You can do both. The 2012–13 teams were deadly with it (before the ‘13 injuries). If teams stack the box with a safety coming down, you pummel them with the intermediate and deep passing game. When teams give you a box you believe is favorable, you run power right through them.
We’re going to be a run first offense (that’s what Kirby wants), but I think he’s going to give Fromm more freedom this year to push the ball down the field when we have favorable matchups.
LikeLike
You ALWAYS run power through a favorable box!
LikeLike
In the 126 year history of the program, I don’t think UGA has ever had this level of talent across the board. It’s now time for them to go do great things.
LikeLike
All hangs on the OL in my book. If they can be what we think they can be — what they should be, quite frankly, given the talent level and perceived quality of coaching — then I don’t see who stops us.
LikeLike
I’m ready to see it. All this talk of our team “on paper” is getting to me. I want to see if our program can follow through.
LikeLike
I agree with your O-line sentiments. Best line I’ve seen since ‘76 with Cowboy and Moonpie.
LikeLike
Anybody know what the record is for fewest number of punts in a year by a D1 team?
Yes I’m optimistic.
LikeLike
Larry Munson’s ghost says some of y’all need to take it down a few notches before you jinx us.
LikeLike
’92 was Peak Goff as well. I don’t think we’ve seen Peak Kirby yet! (I hope!)
LikeLike
Damn, and just think if we had Brice Ramsey or Faton Bauta running the offense. We’d be unstoppable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was a good one…
LikeLike
^ the irony of that statement is never lost on me.
LikeLike
Or Joe three sticks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol. Great play on the name.
LikeLike
In reading the comments, the Kool Aid is really tasty. Plus, with the schedule they should set all kinds of records.
LikeLike
The Dawgs Are At Least-two Deep At Every Position On Offense
They Have 2 QBs, 5 RBs, 4 Or 5 WRs, & 2 TEs that could start
For Most SEC Teams. Two Full Offensive Units are Available.
Remember Wally Butts, Charlie Britt, And Fran Tarkenton.
Two Separate Units Sharing The Playing Time. How About A
Fromm Team And A Fields Team.For The Best Dawg Offense Ever.
LikeLike
What I like about our offense is that when the pressure is on they seem to play their best football.
LikeLike
Answer: Godwin, Gaillard, Baker
Question: who won’t be back in 2019?
Add in a couple elite frosh WRs.. talk about hell on wheels.
LikeLike