The No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs (7-2) are in danger of missing the College Football Playoff after a 28-10 road loss to the No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels (8-2) on Saturday night, and UGA supporters were not pleased with head coach Kirby Smart’s response.
The Bulldogs entered the game atop the SEC rankings, looking for a conference title and an automatic playoff berth. However, with a poor showing in Oxford, the Bulldogs are unlikely to go to the SEC Championship Game. Georgia’s offense was nearly shut down by the Rebels’ pass rush, which totaled five sacks on star quarterback Carson Beck. UGA had allowed a total of ten sacks heading into the SEC game.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss offense accumulated 397 total yards against a tough Georgia defense. Dart led the club in rushing with 50 yards on eight carries, and he threw for 199 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Ole Miss victory is likely the most significant for fifth-year head coach Lane Kiffin, who entered the game with a 3-7 record in the previous ten rated games. The Rebels are now in a strong position to make the playoffs for the first time in program history.
On the other hand, Smart’s Bulldogs have suffered their first loss to a team other than Alabama since 2020 (Florida). UGA’s possible playoff berth will be decided in the coming weeks against No. 7 Tennessee, Massachusetts, and rival Georgia Tech. Smart was asked how he planned to address his players after the game, and some Georgia supporters were not pleased with his response. “We’re moving on to the next. “I mean, welcome to the SEC, baby,” Smart replied.
“I mean, I said when the season started that it was going to be the toughest schedule we’ve ever had in the SEC with the addition of the Texas game on top of all the others we had to play,” says Smart. “It’s incredibly tough. “It is difficult.” UGA fans flocked to Facebook to respond to the ninth-year head coach. “Losing faith in Smart,” one Georgia supporter commented. “Am I the only one who’s sick of hearing that…?,” another added.
“What’s wrong with him?” one person wrote. “He acts as if no one wins easily in the SEC. He’s off, or whatever. One fan solely criticized Smart for the loss, claiming he left Beck in the game. On Saturday night, the fifth-year senior threw his 12th interception of the season (by a tipped pass). He finished with 186 throwing yards and 0 touchdowns. “Kirby, you are solely responsible for this loss,” the admirer stated. “You keep Beck in the game! His thoughts are on females and fast automobiles. “Bad coaching, man.”
It’s worth noting that Beck’s receivers lead the FBS in dropped passes, according to the ESPN broadcast of the game. In addition, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo is under fire after the team’s lowest scoring performance of the season. UGA averaged 33.1 points per game. “Kirby and the Bulldogs will never win another championship as long as Bobo is making the calls,” according to a supporter. “Screen passes don’t win ball games. “Defense, running, and downfield passes win games.”
Smart began his news conference by citing Georgia’s injuries as a reason in the nation’s toughest schedule. After right guard Tate Ratledge and his replacement, Micah Morris, were injured, the Bulldogs were forced to shift their offensive line. Trevor Etienne, the team’s star running back, was hindered by a rib ailment, while tailbacks Roderick Robinson and Branson Robinson did not play. Similarly, wide receiver/kick returner Anthony Evans missed his second consecutive game with a hamstring ailment.
“And as you go through the season you get injuries,” Mr. Smart explained. “I mean, they’ve also sustained injuries. Everyone has sustained injuries. It only adds to the difficulty. It’s difficult, but our future is in front of us. We have a big game next week. We need to go out and find a way to perform at a better level. Georgia has little time to prepare for a key rivalry game against No. 7 Tennessee (8-1) in Athens next week. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
