Georgia Bulldogs: What Went Wrong and What Went Right

Sep 10, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart shown on the field prior to the game against the Nicholls State Colonels at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Nicholls State 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart shown on the field prior to the game against the Nicholls State Colonels at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Nicholls State 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Georgia Bulldogs have struggled the last two games, this past weeks heart breaking loss to the Vols capped the Dawgs SEC title hopes. What went right and besides the obvious what went wrong against the Vols?

The Georgia Bulldogs had a rough weekend against the Tennessee Volunteers. The  loss was about as heart breaking as they come only seconds after Jacob Eason and the Dawgs had put together one of the most clutch drives in recent Dawgs history their hopes of an upset were smashed by a well timed jump catch in the end zone.

While it might be hard to see this loss as anything close to encouraging the Dawgs did show signs of improvement and Kirby Smart had his team ready to play. A week after being embarrassed at Ole Miss the team played well and came so close to the upset.

The Bulldogs final seconds of play were a mess, and showed how badly our defense and special teams have played at times this season. Seconds after Jacob Eason threw a perfect laser into the end zone for a touchdown the Bulldogs pooched the ball and gave the Volunteers great field position.

While it is easy to point out the loss at the defense the game wasn’t entirely lost by the defensive unit. The failure on special teams to not understand the importance of kicking the ball deep and instead pooching the ball and giving the Vols great field position was the difference in the game.

What came next was a failure as well but never could have been a reality if the Dawgs had of made the correct play on special teams. The failure whether it was a player, or coaching mistake was the biggest play of the game and what won the game for the Vols.

Regardless the loss did have some very high points for the Georgia Bulldogs. The biggest bright spot was the offensive unit doing what they do best, running the ball. The team ran the ball successfully at times it seemed whenever they wanted and did a great job of a balanced attack.

Having less pressure on him and more focus on the running backs was great for Jacob Eason and gave him a chance to put together his best game as of yet. He made some key mistakes but still kept the Dawgs in the game and made clutch throws at the end of the game that few quarterbacks who are not in the league would be capable of making.

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Jacob Eason is learning on the job and that could be a great thing for the Dawgs who again look like they will already be playing for next season. Not to say that they will not give the remainder of this year their best, rather that their hopes of an SEC title and a possible playoff appearance will have to wait for at least another season.