On December 6, 2015, Kirby Smart was announced as the new Georgia Football head coach. A job that was previously held by the second most winning head coach in Georgia's history as a football program. Athletic Director Greg McGarity had a tough situation to make after losing to Florida, and averaging just 9 wins a season under Mark Richt. McGarity had to think about whether or not to fire Mark Richt as South Carolina's interest in UGA alumni and then Alabama Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart was heating up.
That Sunday, Mr. McGarity informed Mark Richt that they would be parting ways at the end of the season but Georgia would like to keep Richt on staff until after the bowl game. Then the big question became, "whom will Georgia pick to replace Richt?" It wasn't long until Georgia answered that question as they hired Kirby Smart a former Georgia safety who was named team captain his senior year. Smart went into coaching after college and held jobs at Valdosta State, Georgia, LSU, Miami Dolphins, and Alabama. Smart became the right-hand man to the one and only coaching legend Nick Saban. As Smart was Saban's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Smart learned the ways of the Saban defense along with how to recruit. The hiring of Kirby Smart was a "smart" one as Georgia made it known that under their new head coach they were going to get back to being a contender year in, and year out. Georgia wanted to take back the SEC East and start winning the SEC Championship every year. Georgia wanted to get back to recruiting the best players in the nation and developing them into NFL caliber players. Lastly but not least, Georgia wanted to slay the beast of College Football known as Alabama. Smart was hired to build Georgia into the next dynasty and to do that they had to beat the current dynasty which is Alabama. So after going 8-5 in Smart's first season at UGA, Georgia brought in the number 6 recruiting class in the country to bring the hope of being able to compete for the SEC Championship at the end of the season. Well after 8-5, Georgia turned around and went 13-2 after losing in the National Championship to Alabama, in an overtime heart breaker. Then after all the hype and the motivation that Georgia was back and ready to once again make it back to the National Championship and this time win it. Well, we all know how last season went, and it started off well until LSU provided Georgia with a nightmare. Then after beating Florida and Kentucky, Georgia went on to make it back to the SEC Championship game and this time they were matched up with Alabama. The rematch, at last, wasn't a disappointment as it lived up to the hype. But after being up on Alabama 21-7 at one time, Georgia wasn't able to finish as Jalen Hurts replaced the injured Tua Tagovailoa and won the Tide the SEC Championship. Then came another nightmare in New Orleans of all places. Where Georgia lost in the Sugar Bowl to an up and coming Texas team. So after a successful G-Day, a lot of Dawg fans are expecting a National Championship. Which would mean Georgia would at some point have to beat Alabama to win the National Championship and end the 39-year drought. So has Georgia closed the gap enough to beat Alabama and win the National title? I believe Georgia has closed the gap a lot in the past three seasons but I don't believe it is closed enough to beat Alabama right now. I think there are still a lot of questions with this Georgia team as we have to see if the receivers are going to be able to help carry the load offensively as we lost our biggest playmakers through the air to the NFL Draft this offseason. On the defensive side, we need to see if Georgia can create a steady pass rush and be able to sustain for the season. We saw the front seven step up in the SEC Championship game against Alabama but it wasn't enough to win it. Then there is a question about whether this offense can sustain a lead against Alabama as the past two times we've played Alabama we have choked away the game. Georgia needs to find a solution in late game situations where the run games aren't always available. Fromm played out of his mind in the SEC Championship game but it wasn't enough to win. Georgia has the offensive line to win a National Championship and they have the quarterback and the running back and we believe we have a good group of receivers who if they step up we could win some big games including the National Championship. But can Georgia put it all together and win the game this time? We will know what kind of team we have this season when Georgia ends up playing Florida where it is expected to be the hiccup game this year like LSU and Auburn have been the past two seasons. Then you might have to worry about Texas A&M potentially challenging Georgia in a Thanksgiving weekend game. Georgia needs to win both those games to make the SEC Championship and to even have a chance at the Playoffs. Georgia plays Notre Dame in week 4 which is expected to be one of the most exciting games of the year. Most of our questions will be answered in that game as it will be the first test Georgia will face in the 2019 season. If Georgia can put it all together with a great gameplan and good playing then Georgia will beat Alabama and eventually go on to win the National Championship.
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Harrison Reno
Is the founder and author of Top Dawg Blogging. Harrison has been blogging for the past 4 years Archives
April 2020
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