By utilizing Chubb, Georgia remains a league champion threat without Gurley
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Nick Chubb chewed up nails, then spit ‘em out at Mizzou on Saturday.
A true freshman who could be Todd Gurley’s permanent replacement had a workhorse-like 143 yards on 38 carries (eight more than Gurley’s career-high total) during Georgia’s first-ever shutout of a nationally-ranked team as the Bulldogs leaped to the front of the SEC East race.
“Todd has a big role on this team and when we first heard (the news), everybody was quiet,” Chubb said. “Nobody knew what to say. We practiced way harder and knew we had to pick up the slack.”
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Chubb touched the football on eight of Georgia’s first 10 plays, imposing his will against the most fierce front four Georgia’s faced this season. His 9-yard touchdown run in the fourth capped a 10-play drive that provided his team with a 34-0 lead.
The Bulldogs used this week’s news of Gurley’s suspension as motivational fuel to dominate away from Athens when most thought the Georgia offense couldn’t handle the Heisman candidate’s absence.
“Coming in behind Todd, I was a little nervous but I’ve been playing football my life,” Chubb said. “Everybody just said play hard.”
Not only was Chubb a star, but Georgia’s defense forced five turnovers and humiliated the Tigers into a meager 147 total yards on 43 offensive plays.
That will need to continue for the Bulldogs during Gurley’s indefinite suspension. And even if the bruising back doesn’t return despite practicing this week, Georgia remains a legitimate College Football Playoff threat.
Commence the overreaction.
As soon as the Gurley investigation hit the ticker last week, most eliminated the Bulldogs almost instantaneously from the SEC Championship race.
And that’s ridiculous.
Mike Bobo’s offense doesn’t change much with Chubb besides more read and less counter. The Cedartown, Ga. native may not have the game-breaking reputation of his predecessor, but it’s coming.
If Richt’s team can post another quality road win Saturday at Arkansas behind Chubb and the expected return of Keith Marshall, the toughest remaining game comes at home against Auburn. And the Tigers are susceptible to giving up big plays on the ground.
Auburn’s allowed 10 rushing touchdowns this season, tied for most in the SEC West.
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Moreover the most important player toward Georgia’s overall offensive strength is in fact Hutson Mason, not Gurley. Chubb’s a dependable replacement who will get his five to six yards per carry on the ground when provided opportunity, but it’s Mason’s poise in the pocket — like he showed in Columbia, Mo. — that’s the crucial element the rest of the way.
Don’t bail on the 10th-ranked Bulldogs because Gurley’s sidelined.
There’s stockpiled talent behind him and a senior quarterback intent of quieting his doubters.
