The Georgia Bulldogs lost a heartbreaking rivalry game to in-state enemy Georgia Tech at home last Saturday, 28-27. The loss — the second to Tech in as many years — wasn’t just heart wrenching because it was a hard end to a difficult season for the young team as they rebuild, but it’s led many fans to already question the decision-making skills of new coach Kirby Smart.
Stinging Defeat
The last part is worth examining, but first let’s look at the game. Georgia dominated after a blip in the first quarter when they failed to score on an impressive first drive (which ended up being a very big red flag). The official ESPN stats show a pretty even match-up, with Georgia slightly in the lead. But the intensity and excitement was all Georgia. By the 4th Quarter, they led Tech by 13 points at home, and the stands were swinging. The game was theirs to lose.
And that’s exactly what they did.
After scoring 20 consecutive points, the Dawgs were up 27-14, with an offensive line that looked like it had finally, after a season of floundering, found its rhythm. Defense, however, after allowing Tech to make some huge yardage gains throughout the game, allowed the Yellowjackets a 94 yard scoring drive. Add to that, QB Jacob Eason, in the next possession, threw a pass that tipped off the hands of Terry Godwin and landed in the arms of Lance Austin at the Bulldogs 46 with 3:39 remaining. With roughly six and half minutes left in the game, the Bulldogs saw Tech capitalize on their good fortune — something the Dawgs have struggled with all year. The Red Zone, for the 2016 Bulldogs, may as well have been a stop sign.
Smart Takes the Heat
To his credit, Coach Smart took the blame.
“I felt that game was indicative of our season — a little good here, a little bad there,” Smart said.
“We as coaches have to do a better job, and that starts with me. I’m the leader of the organization.”
And that, as they say, was that for the rookie year of a coach it was widely assumed was the reason current Miami head coach Mark Richt was so unceremoniously dismissed. UGA never even bothered with a nation-wide search for a new coach at the end of 2015. They wanted Smart (presumably before South Carolina could hire him). So they made room for him. Now, with a lesser tier bowl game likely — guesses tend to favor Music City Bowl in Nashville — the DawgNation has expressed their frustration.
Recruiting Haul
Until, that is, this week, when something happened that has praises for the new head coach filling the air again. Because Kirby Smart wasn’t just hired for his ties to Georgia, or because he served under the great Nick Saban at Alabama. Smart is known to be a wily recruiter. And on that point, he has succeeded beyond anyone’s expectation. Behold the Georgia Football Class of 2017:
Ummmmm…Are We Sure This Is The "SicEm17" Class And Not The "Savages17" Class…🔴⚫ 🐾🐾🐾 🏈🏈🏈#BestClassEver#SicEm17
Pic: @dawgsontop2016 pic.twitter.com/pssHQPb7Fp
— Hall Sports Communications (@Loyal_To_The_G) December 2, 2016
Your current @ArmyAllAmerican Dawg Commits! UGA has 7 army all americans looking to add a few more! #SicEm17 3rd ranked class nationally pic.twitter.com/iOXVDb1Gm1
— UGA (@ugaFBnation) December 2, 2016
BREAKING: #UGA lands #Rivals100 DE and WR on same day. Two big pieces added to the Bulldogs commit list. pic.twitter.com/cQzyjP1Vpv
— Trent Smallwood (@SmallwoodTrent) December 1, 2016
Believe in Kirby Smart
So the fans are pleased to let the naysayers have their say again. They’re going to believe in Kirby Smart for another year. Which is ultimately a good thing because there’s nothing worse than what ESPN calls The Sunshine Patriot Bandwagon Fan:
Sunshine Patriots
Fans who shove their way to the cockpit when a local team is flying high, only to pull the EJECT handle at the first sign of turbulence. Think Atlanta Hawks fans filling Philips Arena’s otherwise half-empty lower bowl during this year’s NBA playoffs, or Florida Marlins supporters any time the team reaches the World Series. By being true to their hometown clubs, Sunshine Patriots have their hearts in the right place. But you wouldn’t count on them to shovel your driveway after a quarter-inch of snow, let alone a blizzard.
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