6 and O....Rare Air

Hard to believe we’re 6-0 w/ 7-0 staring us right in our face.  It’s a very bizarre feeling to be universally respected nationally.  Defense sells.  When people see a suffocating Defense, it’s more difficult to figure out ways you’re going to lose.  Saturday will be interesting to see how our secondary response to a test.

I believe Kirby Smart is a really, really good football coach, and he’s going to get tested this 2^nd season.  Our QB situation is so crazy in a million ways.  There’s no doubt at this point, Fromm is the guy to carry the torch for now, but Kirby also HAS to think about the future, and that means Auburn, and that means 2018.  I think the tricky part is this:  how short is Fromm’s leash?  What if we go 3 & out, pick, 3 & out in Jax?  

The other part of the equation is what does he think in necessary going forward.  My MIND tells me we’re going to need to be able to throw the ball to win big, but Alabama didn’t really have to do it last year for Bama.  Hurts averaged 185 yds/game last year through the air.  Jake is averaging 139/gm.  That’s not THAT far off.  Hurts used his legs more, but we also have way more elite backs than Bama had last year.  Bama went 14-0 with that formula before losing to Clemson.

Right now, Hurts is averaging 145/game, right in line w/ Jake.  There’s some smart Bama fan asking the same thing we are:  “Can we beat Georgia without putting the ball in the air?”  Though Eason is a much more elite passer than Jake or Hurts, Jake is still light years ahead of Hurts as a passer.  He’s also light years ahead of the kid from Clemson.  I THINK we’re going to need a different formula moving forward, but maybe not.

But Kirby knows more than I do.  I’m interested to see a few things:

·       How short is Jake’s leash?  (and will we even know?  It’s entirely possible we don’t even see him struggle – ever – because we don’t put him in position to).  

·       As Jacob gets healthier, will we mix him in with the 1s?  I’d love to see him w/ nick, sony and the receivers.  If we can get up 17-0 or 21-0 Saturday early, I really wish we’d put him in, if nothing else to give him a little confidence.

·       If Fromm is the guy for the season, is there any way Kirby can convince Jacob to stay and compete?  I do believe that Kirby would give him an honest change in the spring.  I just think that’s the way he rolls.

Go Dawgs!