Clint Lamb
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Georgia’s putrid offense has been exposed too many times this season, but this past Saturday against Florida, the limitations and frustrations came to a head. The Bulldogs had zero answers against a vulnerable defense.
The result? A second blowout loss to a SEC foe in 2020.
The 44-28 loss in Week 9 could ultimately keep Georgia out of the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 19, all because Kirby Smart and company cannot find an offense to complement their elite defense.
Alabama and Florida also exposed problems with the Dawgs’ defense, but the offense remains the issue in Athens. The unit struggled in 2019 as well, but the losses from that group continue to linger, especially along the offensive line with Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wilson and Solomon Kindley.
The main problem, however, has been ineffective quarterback play.
Stetson Bennett is not the answer, and neither is D’Wan Mathis. But there are a couple other options on the depth chart, and one in particular who has some appeal. His name is JT Daniels, and fans have been waiting to see him for quite some time.
Despite being cleared medically, the USC transfer has struggled to return to form after an ACL injury ended his 2019 season with the Trojans prematurely.
Those same fans who have witnessed beatdowns from Alabama and Florida are long past waiting, however. The time for Daniels is now. In fact, it has been now for a while, but it looks like the coaching staff finally agrees.
Daniels isn’t necessarily the lock to be the starter moving forward. But with Bennett out with an AC joint issue, Daniels has split first-team reps with D’Wan Mathis and true freshman Carson Beck, another option on the depth chart.
According to Mike Griffith with Dawg Nation, Daniels is considered the favorite to start this weekend against Missouri. At the very least, he should see his first action of 2020.
JT Daniels is the favorite to start, but Kirby has thrown a curve ball or two at quarterback before … https://t.co/iXYwV7WGef
— MikeGriffith32 (@MikeGriffith32) November 11, 2020
If that holds up, everyone who has been pushing for Daniels to get game action will finally get what they want, and Daniels will either sink or swim. This development at least brings some intrigue to a demoralized fan base.
It might be too late to save Georgia’s season, but seeing the offense take a step in the right direction could be an encouraging sign for 2021. And who knows? Florida could falter down the stretch.
Crazier things have happened in 2020, right?
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
You can say the time has been now for Daniels for a while, but the coaching staff knows best. Do we really think for a second that they wouldn’t have started Daniels against Florida if they felt he was ready? Come on. At the least they’d have put him in instead of re-treading the pathetic D’Wan Mathis who looks like he needs about 3 redshirt seasons before he should be allowed to touch a football in a a live game behind center again.
Kirby has taken more criticism over his handling of the QB position than any other aspect of his program oversight. He was in a tough spot with handling Justin Fields in light of all that Jake Fromm had accomplished. Hindsight is 20/20 and it is tough for Georgia fans to see Fields having grown into an outstanding QB while we struggle. Fromm leaving early also put us in a tough position but Kirby recruited Mathis, Newman and JT Daniels. Again, Newman’s departure further extended Georgia’s rollercoaster ride with QBs. Given the poor performance by Stetson and Dwan, the fan base is hoping that JTD is our savior. Here’s hoping JTD plays lights out against Mizzou! Go Dawgs!