Recap: Dawgs, Clemson Roll

In the end Georgia’s win was convincing. But deep into the third quarter the outcome had yet to be decided. The Dawgs took and early 10-0 lead but later fell behind 14-13.  Florida has no trouble gaining yards on offense, but their three turnovers were the difference in the game. Four of the Dawgs’ touchdowns game on third down, including all three of Fromm’s TD passes.

When Feliepe Franks fumbled on his own one yard line the Gator defense stiffened, not allowing Georgia to score on seven straight plays. Some say this would’ve been a perfect spot for Fields to make an appearance, but the Gators would’ve geared up to stop the run all the more. I blame the play-calling. Several complained Georgia ran left on every play, but the real reason couldn’t push it in was that the run plays were too slow-developing. With Holyfield and later Swift lined up eight yards deep in the backfield, by the time they took the handoff and approached the line the Gator linemen and backers had penetrated the line. The unblocked weakside defensive end had time to rush in and make the play.

Jake Fromm returned to form, tossing three touchdown passes with no interceptions. As Buck Belue predicted, freshman Justin Fields remained on the sideline. This morning Steak Shapiro continued to stir up strife, saying family members were calling on Fields to transfer. The discussion was right, in that there’s a good chance Fields may never beat out Fromm. If Fields went to Georgia expecting to beat out Fromm, so far he has been wrong. Right now Fields is great insurance in case Fromm gets hurt.

Kirby continues to praise Fields’ work ethic, and while the freshman may be a better runner than Fromm, there’s no way he’s a better QB. Jake had a wide open run for a first down against the Gators. Despite the Shapiro-fueled rumors, in all this time Fields has said nothing to indicate he's thinking about transferring. 

With five talented running backs crowding the Bulldog backfield, a Louisiana recruit backed out of his UGA commitment. Some say he didn’t like how Georgia doled out carries to so many backs, keeping everyone fresh for the fourth quarter. Some say this keeps the back from wearing down over four years, extending the back’s NFL career. Currently there are at least four former UGA backs in the NFL: Todd Gurley, Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, and Isaiah Crowell.    

Clemson handed FSU their worst home loss ever. The Tigers looked like their normal #2 selves, scoring a total of 52 points in the second and third quarters. Announcer Brock Huard accurately asked whether Clemson was that good or was FSU that bad.

Time and again the Noles committed ridiculous penalties and dropped passes and fumbled and jumped offsides and roughed the kicker. Huard asked why starting QB Francois was still in the game down 49 points late, and sure enough he was knocked out of the game. Late in the game the FSU first string was still being handled by Clemson’s second and third stringers. Huard called it FSU’s all-time low. 

Trevor Lawrence had another best so far game, passing for 340 yards in three quarters. Haurd wondered if the freshman might one day be the overall number one pick in the NFL Draft. Haurd also joined the increasingly growing list of experts slamming Kelly Bryant for quitting on his team. On the goal line Dabo inserted defensive linemen at fullback and halfback.

South Carolina came back to edge Tennessee. With Louisville and FSU having down years, the Gamecocks and Boston College pose the remaining challenges for Clemson. BC beat Miami Friday night.

Kentucky beat Missouri by the skin of their teeth, setting up another top ten battle to decide the SEC East. Also next Saturday: Bama at LSU to decide the SEC West.

Hard feelings at the end of the of Texas’ loss at the hands of unranked Oklahoma State, when the out of control long-haired linebacker crashed the Cowboys’ final run out the clock play. Gives football a bad name.

As the Rams/Packers game wound down, with LA up by two Todd Gurley had a clear shot at the end zone. A touchdown would’ve extended the lead to eight and possibly nine, but a botched point after could’ve been returned fortwo Packer points, plus there was time on the clock for Green Bay to score a go-ahead or game tying touchdown and conversion. Instead Gurley downed the ball on the five yard line, allowing the Rams to run out the clock and stay undefeated. This meant thousands of betters lost their bets, and Vegas had to pay out millions they wouldn’t have had to, as an extra touchdown would’ve allowed the Rams to cover the spread. Fantasy football players were shorted the 6-1/2 points Gurley would’ve added to his total. Gurley laughingly tweeted “What Spread?”  Hopefully a mobster won’t take a pipe to his knees.

 

Both the Rams and the Bears wore throwback uniforms. And Oklahoma State. Florida proved it’s not wise to change unis for a big rivalry game.

Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri broke Morten Andersen’s record as the NFL’s all-time leading scorer.