Third downs as a window to the soul of Georgia’s offense

When you think about it, there are two valid ways to deal with third down conversions:  either be very good at them, or avoid third down situations as much as possible.  It appears Georgia is taking the second approach to heart this season.

The Dawgs are fifth in the conference in third down conversion percentage, but what’s more noticeable about that stat is that they’re twelfth in third down attempts.  So, while the one obvious weak spot in Georgia’s offensive situational stats is third-and-10 or longer passing situations, that’s been relatively meaningless because the offense has only faced those eight times this season.

Factor into the equation that, per Bill Connelly’s S&P+, Georgia’s offense is getting over 80% of its first downs on first and second down plays, and you’ve got one efficient bunch.

Sometimes, stats don’t lie.

https://twitter.com/theHell_YouSay/status/1047129641083985921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1047129641083985921&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anchorofgold.com%2F2018%2F10%2F4%2F17927902%2Fdo-you-like-video-games-opponent-offense-preview-uga

Given the five-star talent on the roster, it would be easy for this team to try to flash its way to wins, but, instead, it’s been built to succeed by being efficient on both sides of the ball (& of course, Rodrigo).  It’s working, too.

37 Comments

Filed under Georgia Football, Stats Geek!, Strategery And Mechanics

37 responses to “Third downs as a window to the soul of Georgia’s offense

  1. The Donald

    UGA NEEDS TO GET BETTER AT CONVERTING 3RD DOWNS. SAD!

    Like

  2. Greg

    Offense has improved over a year ago…PPG, QBR and etc….despite our personnel losses. But yet, some want to replace Fromm…..go figure

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    • Greg

      with the offense at this rate, wouldn’t be surprised to see us break some of the ’14 records

      Like

    • dawgtired

      I don’t want to replace Fromm but I would like to see his backup gain the experience needed to improve the quality of depth at the position. Fromm’s not bullet proof. I would feel more comfortable with the 2nd guy gaining experience a little along under controlled conditions rather than thrust into the fray should Fromm go down.
      Also, Fields brings his own special abilities to the game. If, and I say IF, Fields can play without it harming Fromm’s efficiency, then let him have quality PT. I don’t think our offense misses a step with either.

      Liked by 2 people

      • Greg

        Can’t disagree with that.

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        • Macallanlover

          Nope, but it is rarely stated without attempting to point out Fromm is flawed as a QB, as was every QB to ever play the game. This approach of saying we need a backup prepared to take over on any given play is the correct way to view it. And that also plays into developing Fields skills, especially in reading all the different looking defenses and better decision making. Few doubt Fields’ physical skill set but only Kirby and the staff see all those practice reps, or know what he did, right or wrong, in game situations.

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          • Greg

            If Fields eventually proves he is the better of the two, more power to him…..start him. We will be better off for it. Good thing we have Kirby making decisions rather than some of the fans….we would be in deep shat! 😏

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            • Greg

              Got a feeling we will see a good dose of Fields this Saturday no matter how the game is playing out. LSU the following week…

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            • Dylan Dreyer's Booty

              Kirby needs to run an in-game twitter poll to decide which QB plays in a given series!

              JK

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              • dawgtired

                LOL! I can see it now. The players walk up to the line and look toward the sideline at Kirby for the call. Kirby looks into the stands as if questioning the plan. The masses in the stadium collective all go to their phones to vote. Kirby checks his phone then either sends in the play to the QB or sends the other QB in. Love it. We wouldn’t have anyone to blame but ourselves for the outcome.

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        • Truckin

          I disagree with this. Fromm was ready to step up when needed last year because he’s a smart kid and put in the work. I don’t know Field’s work ethic but I want a knowledgeable guy out there. Fields will likely be an excellent qb and an NFL guy which will be his learning from a guy like Fromm.

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    • DawgByte

      I don’t want to replace Fromm. Those people who are calling for such a replacement don’t know football and fall under the category of “change for change sake”.
      Fields provided a needed spark last Saturday, but he also made mistakes. It goes with the job. I think Kirby is distributing the ball between QB’s correctly thus far.

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  3. stoopnagle

    Play within these stats on Saturday and we’ll win going away (again).

    Will this approach work in Red Stick?

    Like

  4. Granthams replacement

    Maybe it’s due to a leftover crayon playbook labeled “3rd down plays that Willie can’t stop”

    Kirby is not going to be aggressive on offense as long as the team is winning by 2 touchdowns in ever game. Same on defense, no big plays, let the abundance of talent beat most teams. When it’s time he ll dial up the playcslling o both sides.

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  5. Derek

    A wise man once said:

    “Best way block punch, no be there.”

    If you want to avoid 3rd and distance on offense and 3rd and short on D, win first down… a lot.

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  6. Efficiency is about staying in front of the chains or forcing the opponent to play behind the chains. If you can’t win 1st down on both sides of the ball, you don’t win very many games.

    3rd down may be the money down, but 1st down drives everything about a particular set of downs.

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  7. ASEF

    As Alabama learned last year, it’s not an issue until you run into a defense with enough blue chips and coaching to lower your first and second down success rates. And then it gets awkward fast. “It” being how you perceive the QB position.

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  8. JT

    and Chaney is a terrible play caller, some of you need to get into the arena.

    Like

  9. DawgPhan

    Last year the team was great on 3rd down, but had a lot of them and leaned a little to the explosive side.

    This year’s team is staying out of 3rd down, which seems like a better strategy.

    They will keep getting better.

    Like

  10. Dylan Dreyer's Booty

    The main thing is to score when you have the ball and limit the number of times you punt. The rest of it is just talk, imo.

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  11. PTC DAWG

    It’ll shake out after Jax…..y’all be patient.. Kirby is on it.

    Like

  12. Not to get a week ahead, but i have drawn up the perfect play to open the LSU game, so if you can get this to chaney:

    Fromm in shotgun with Fields next to him
    Mecole in motion
    Fromm fakes it to Fields on the read option and keeps it going the opposite way of Mecole and Fields.. he should be able to run from baton rogue all the way to new orleans untouched

    Liked by 1 person

    • Truckin

      I’ve wondered why we haven’t put both on the field at the same time. That would be a nightmare to a DC I would think.

      Like

  13. 69Dawg

    We older guys remember when the “Ole Ball Sack” rotated QB’s each play. He said the QB wasn’t any different than any other position. He didn’t do it very long but he would pull a QB quicker than any coach I’ve ever seen. Hell in 1997 he played 3 QB’s, he was so upset by us beating them.

    Like

  14. DawgPhan

    Flipping through the advanced stats it seems like the special teams ranking is lower. The field position specifically. A big punt and a stop on defense seemed to setup the offense for big plays last year.

    Like

  15. D as in Dawg

    I love how we’re being abandoned by Disney. Now Finebaum is losing faith. I like it. The whole sports media complex will be rooting for LSU in 2 weeks.

    Like