15 Thoughts is a Conspiracy Theorist
The man. And Kirby Smart. Are there some hijinks afoot in Playoffland? Just looking at this post below from “X” is exhausting: pic.twitter.com/dBemXRCFJs— Thumser (@JeffreyThumser) November 30, 2024 1. Winning a game that we had no business of winning is never a bad thing, especially when it involves the one team you really never want to lose to. I’m from the generation of folks that understand what Ray Goff knew to be true. You can’t lose to Georgia Tech. Ever. Tech had this game won on so many different occasions if it weren’t for a play here ‘n there. I accepted the defeat at least a dozen times over the course of the 4 and a half hour marathon, so was at peace with whatever happened. I was almost too tired to cheer when Nate Frazier crossed the goal line to win it. Almost. I cheered. 1a. I didn’t get off the couch yesterday. Who else was mentally drained (or lazy) like that? 2. Why can’t this team start fast? Why must Arian Smith drop every single initial pass that has affected our inaugural drives on so many occasions that I have lost count. Smith has made some huge plays for us in his Georgia career. The ball that got deflected by Dillon Bell on one of our 2-point conversions that would’ve won the game earlier was not Smith’s fault - although it was catchable. But the first pass from Carson Beck to Smith - a slant that had big play written all over it - was yet another big play drop to start an offensive possession and these have been tone-setters all season long. 3. You know who doesn’t drop balls? Our tight ends. These guys have been a steady element of Mike Bobo’s offense all season long and when we have that sense of urgency are clutch. Ah, yes. Sense of urgency. We seem to have it when we have to have it. We seem to execute when feet are pressed to the fire. 4. I re-watched the 4th quarter and overtime yesterday. Cash Jones was huge for us when it mattered - as he’s been all season. ABC’s Jesse Palmer correctly stated that Cash might have the best hands of any running back in all of college football. Did you realize Cash led all receivers with 4 receptions for 50? Dom Lovett had a horrible fumble, but he also was super-clutch when it mattered most, hauling in a 17 yard touchdown to make it 27-20, and then catching a 3-yard pass at the goal line to tie it up after the forced fumble by Dan Jackson. DAN JACKSON IS A LEGEND. #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/tiHMKA1VYF— Aaron Leicht (@aaronleicht) November 30, 2024 This 8-overtime victory was brought to you by Dan Jackson. 5. Carson Beck continues to ascend when it matters the most, going 28/43 and 5 touchdowns (including 2 in overtime) and making very good decisions. For the first time all year I saw in his eyes on some of the early drops how upset he was, particularly when we could not keep any offensive rhythm going. Possessions against a team like Tech are vital under Brent Key - just like they were against Paul Johnson’s triple chop block option. I don’t know if this offense is capable of putting together two-halves of competent football, but Saturday would be a good time to start. 6. It was good to see Rod Robinson back and contributing. We couldn’t run block at all for him, but he made a couple of nice catches when it mattered late. Nate Frazier continues to ascend, but he’s got to wrap up the football especially at the goal line. We were lucky down there, weren’t we? 7. We had no answer on defense all night long - except in overtime. We couldn’t stop Haynes King - except in overtime. His shoulder was still affecting him, but time and time again a wobbly pass found a Tech receiver running free over the middle. Maddening. Tech’s first play from scrimmage was more than just an omen when we stopped Jamal Haynes for a minimal gain, didn’t wrap up and let him spring in front of the Tech bench for 44 yards. 8. Tech could’ve put us away in the first half, right? I’m tired pic.twitter.com/bIrN2lHRMa— Chad Barker (@cbarkeratl) November 30, 2024 This was everyone’s heart sinus rhythm on Friday night... 9. You know, Texas has a backup QB who can run. Expect to see a lot of this on Saturday. We saw a tiny bit of that when we beat the Longhorns back in October, but our defense was playing outside of their collective minds that night. Can we recapture this again? 10. Tech was the more physical team. Everyone who watched this saw it on display. They had an extra couple of days to get ready for us and Buster Faulkner dialed up an excellent plan because he knows our tendencies. But college football always comes down to a handful of plays that make all the difference if you still have a puncher’s chance like we did. Dan Jackson’s big hit, 4th quarter tempo and urgency on our part and a never quit attitude. 11. Special teams were not very special, were they? Peyton Woodring’s missed field goal at the end of the first half (which could’ve been huge) was
Are there some hijinks afoot in Playoffland?
Just looking at this post below from “X” is exhausting:
pic.twitter.com/dBemXRCFJs— Thumser (@JeffreyThumser) November 30, 2024
1. Winning a game that we had no business of winning is never a bad thing, especially when it involves the one team you really never want to lose to. I’m from the generation of folks that understand what Ray Goff knew to be true. You can’t lose to Georgia Tech. Ever.
Tech had this game won on so many different occasions if it weren’t for a play here ‘n there. I accepted the defeat at least a dozen times over the course of the 4 and a half hour marathon, so was at peace with whatever happened. I was almost too tired to cheer when Nate Frazier crossed the goal line to win it. Almost. I cheered.
1a. I didn’t get off the couch yesterday. Who else was mentally drained (or lazy) like that?
2. Why can’t this team start fast? Why must Arian Smith drop every single initial pass that has affected our inaugural drives on so many occasions that I have lost count. Smith has made some huge plays for us in his Georgia career. The ball that got deflected by Dillon Bell on one of our 2-point conversions that would’ve won the game earlier was not Smith’s fault - although it was catchable. But the first pass from Carson Beck to Smith - a slant that had big play written all over it - was yet another big play drop to start an offensive possession and these have been tone-setters all season long.
3. You know who doesn’t drop balls? Our tight ends. These guys have been a steady element of Mike Bobo’s offense all season long and when we have that sense of urgency are clutch. Ah, yes. Sense of urgency. We seem to have it when we have to have it. We seem to execute when feet are pressed to the fire.
4. I re-watched the 4th quarter and overtime yesterday. Cash Jones was huge for us when it mattered - as he’s been all season. ABC’s Jesse Palmer correctly stated that Cash might have the best hands of any running back in all of college football. Did you realize Cash led all receivers with 4 receptions for 50? Dom Lovett had a horrible fumble, but he also was super-clutch when it mattered most, hauling in a 17 yard touchdown to make it 27-20, and then catching a 3-yard pass at the goal line to tie it up after the forced fumble by Dan Jackson.
DAN JACKSON IS A LEGEND. #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/tiHMKA1VYF— Aaron Leicht (@aaronleicht) November 30, 2024
This 8-overtime victory was brought to you by Dan Jackson.
5. Carson Beck continues to ascend when it matters the most, going 28/43 and 5 touchdowns (including 2 in overtime) and making very good decisions. For the first time all year I saw in his eyes on some of the early drops how upset he was, particularly when we could not keep any offensive rhythm going. Possessions against a team like Tech are vital under Brent Key - just like they were against Paul Johnson’s triple chop block option. I don’t know if this offense is capable of putting together two-halves of competent football, but Saturday would be a good time to start.
6. It was good to see Rod Robinson back and contributing. We couldn’t run block at all for him, but he made a couple of nice catches when it mattered late. Nate Frazier continues to ascend, but he’s got to wrap up the football especially at the goal line. We were lucky down there, weren’t we?
7. We had no answer on defense all night long - except in overtime. We couldn’t stop Haynes King - except in overtime. His shoulder was still affecting him, but time and time again a wobbly pass found a Tech receiver running free over the middle. Maddening. Tech’s first play from scrimmage was more than just an omen when we stopped Jamal Haynes for a minimal gain, didn’t wrap up and let him spring in front of the Tech bench for 44 yards.
8. Tech could’ve put us away in the first half, right?
I’m tired pic.twitter.com/bIrN2lHRMa— Chad Barker (@cbarkeratl) November 30, 2024
This was everyone’s heart sinus rhythm on Friday night...
9. You know, Texas has a backup QB who can run. Expect to see a lot of this on Saturday. We saw a tiny bit of that when we beat the Longhorns back in October, but our defense was playing outside of their collective minds that night. Can we recapture this again?
10. Tech was the more physical team. Everyone who watched this saw it on display. They had an extra couple of days to get ready for us and Buster Faulkner dialed up an excellent plan because he knows our tendencies. But college football always comes down to a handful of plays that make all the difference if you still have a puncher’s chance like we did. Dan Jackson’s big hit, 4th quarter tempo and urgency on our part and a never quit attitude.
11. Special teams were not very special, were they? Peyton Woodring’s missed field goal at the end of the first half (which could’ve been huge) was about the worst “miss” in his career as the ball never had a chance. Anthony Evans muffed punt could’ve been a disaster after we forced Tech to punt (their only punt). Outside of Brett Thorson’s 54 yard punt average, special teams weren’t very good.
12. Always kick the extra point unless you must chase points. I’ll never understand the weird analytic that dictated a 2-point conversion after we finally scored in the 3rd quarter. I don’t think we’ll ever see that again while Kirby’s roaming the sideline. We could’ve won this game in regulation 28-27. We should’ve kicked a field goal early, but I understand the aggressive call on 4th and 2 in the first quarter.
13. There is so much to take away from this game. I don’t think this was a case of not being “up” and looking ahead. This is how we roll. We aren’t a focused first-half team and only seem to respond when we face real adversity. That whole game was a pressure-cooker of angst with a pinch of anger, a touch of madness, a clove or two of WTF and just enough sugar to make it palatable. I believe Brent Key is exactly what Tech needs to get their program back to more than relevancy. This rivalry is back, folks.
13a. Here’s the best summary of overtime I’ve found. No need to break it down. We got lucky, they got lucky, we had a bogus pass interference call and they still couldn’t score, we probably got screwed out of one when London Humprhey’s defender appeared to arrive a split second early. It seems almost ironic that we won the thing on a running play.
Every overtime play from the greatest game you’ve ever watched. Lifetime bookmark. #GoDawgspic.twitter.com/PqCr2L2eFq— Aaron Leicht (@aaronleicht) December 1, 2024
14. I will admit that I did not stay up to watch the finish of Texas @ Texas A&M. Both defenses looked very good from what I saw as Texas did what they had to do to hang on for a 17-7 win in a rivalry that should’ve never gone away. Honestly, I’d rather play Texas again. Yeah, it’s tough to beat a team twice in the same season but why not? Their coaching staff is going to love breaking down our defensive film since our last meeting, aren’t they? Maybe we’ve been playing the long-con. I wish I was kidding.
15. Conspiracy time: Somehow, the CFB Playoff Committee will keep Ohio State (brand) in the mix. They certainly won’t drop them as precipitously after losing to an unranked team as they did to us after losing to Ole Miss. They’re not even in their own Conference championship game. Alabama (brand) will probably squeak in ahead of South Carolina. No one wants to play the Gamecocks right now.
I think Miami (FL) is cooked.
Texas’ cream-puff schedule has served them well. That’s on Greg Sankey and the money men from Austin and environs. Change my mind. If we beat ‘em, they won’t drop much and will probably host someone.
Kirby Smart wants to win this game on Saturday, folks. His team is tired, beat up and doubted. But a victory on Saturday gives us a month to recover and guarantees that the playoff committee can’t screw us. If we lose there is no guarantee we’re in despite what Jesse Palmer and Joe Tessitore professed all night long during ABC’s broadcast. Better to remove all doubt by beating Texas again.
The 2024 Georgia Bulldogs could lose their next 2 games. They could also win the whole damn thing. Why not the latter? Let’s go!
BONUS THOUGHTS:
- I think trying to plan your team’s flag on your opponents logo after a win in their stadium should be an automatic forfeit. We had 3 brawls last night: Michigan at Ohio State, Florida at FSU and NC State at North Carolina.
Steve Sarkisian prevented Texas from planting their flag in Kyle Field. Good on you, Sark.
The 12 Man pic.twitter.com/TvW8aDvSsq— Wes Blankenship (@Wes_nship) December 1, 2024
- Any repercussions from this?
I love rivalry weekend pic.twitter.com/0amVJi9TTP— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) November 30, 2024
- The only way Ohio State keeps Ryan Day another years is if they win the National Championship, right? How much more talented has OSU been over the last 5 years (Day is 1-4 in that span) than Michigan has been? That team has been a who’s who of NFL receivers with a few incredible QB’s sprinkled in.
- Georgia’s seniors are undefeated against Tech, Tennessee, Florida and Auburn.
Also, Ohio State and Michigan.
- One more “X” post. This is absolutely spot-on:
If @GeorgiaFootball safety Dan Jackson weren't a former a former walk-on the narrative around him as an NFL prospect would be way different.— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) November 30, 2024
That’s all I’ve got for now. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
As Always,
GO DAWGS!
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