Film Study: Gurley or not, UGA primed to make serious noise

In what was devastating news for the University of Georgia, its rabid fan base and college football in general, uber-star junior running back Todd Gurley received an indefinite suspension (for allegedly receiving improper benefits) virtually on the eve of the biggest game of the season against the Missouri Tigers.

It’s one thing to lose a player of Gurley’s magnitude to injury or graduation, it’s another thing for the best player on the planet to be removed behind his own transgressions.

The thought of navigating a treacherous Southeastern Conference schedule without Gurley was enough for many to proclaim Georgia dead to rights despite possessing one of the most stacked rosters in the country.

As it tends to happen with sports in general, the prisoner-of-the-moment thought process ransacked critics and pundits alike. Because the truth is Georgia recruits as well as anyone under head coach Mark Richt and it should never be considered a one-man-band school — even with regard to a generational-type player like Gurley.

Now after a 34-0 destruction of the Tigers, on the road no less, the entire conference was officially put on notice that UGA has a ferocious pass rush, knows how to create turnovers and, oh yeah, may still be in possession of the conference’s most exciting running back.

Now that’s scary…

Best Overall Team Effort Of The Year/Oiled Up Chubb

One thing most never took into consideration was the possibility that every single player on the roster believed they would finally get their just due in Gurley’s stead.

You have to think that no matter how superb of a performance you delivered, it would undoubtedly be overshadowed by the exploits of Gurley.

And rightfully so.

The 6’1″, 230-pound Gurley has delivered highlight-reel plays virtually ad nauseum (for defensive coordinators, of course) for the duration of his career. His league-leading 773 yards, on just 94 attempts (with eight touchdowns), looked easy like Sunday morning for the future NFL first-round selection.

His power may have only been superseded by his breakaway speed; his vision preceded some serious short-area agility — especially for a man his size.

But that same exact description is applicable for Georgia’s new super freshman recruit Nick Chubb. While it’s hard to say he’s as good as Gurley is now, he may be as talented as Gurley was at this stage of his career.

The 5’10”, 228-pound Chubb is just as physical as Gurley — which works well in conjunction with Georgia’s ever-evolving pro-style philosophy.

To really function in offensive coordinator Mike Bobo’s scheme, which is run out of “11,” “12” and “21 personnel” predominantly, a back must equally adept in the horizontal and downhill game.

While UGA is known for its man-blocking north-south run game, it may have the best perimeter attack in the conference.

The ability to usually get to the edges is what makes Gurley special. Here UGA does a masterful job at getting a hat on a hat; once the edge is breached, and the backside is sealed, Gurley shows off that thoroughbred stride.

Here we see how UGA was able to get Chubb to the perimeter against Mizzou. The blocking scheme was beautiful as it was area blocking complete with a wham block by the fullback on the play-side defensive end.

An aspect that differentiates Chubb from his predecessor is his zero-to-60 quickness; Chubb plays as if he’s shot out of a cannon.

Gurley, on the other hand, appears to be a more patient runner who may actually have a little bit better top end speed. As the game slows down for the youngster Chubb, expect him to be patient to the hole and explode through it like no other.

Here we see Chubb navigating a sweep equipped with two pulling interior blockers: center David Andrews and left guard Brandon Kublanow; Chubb has excellent vision and has an innate ability to work well off blockers.

And once he’s in the openfield, all bets are off as defenders will have a tough time tackling him due to his short-area agility.

Make no mistake about it; the Bulldogs have a physical offense that wears down defenses with an array of between-the-tackles runs; Chubb very much fits that part of the offensive philosophy as well.

But Chubb got by with a little help from his friends. Sophomore running back Brendan Douglas (5’11”, 213 lbs) has proven to have a lot of juice himself. He has wonderful between-the-tackles prowess and is able to hit the edges as well.

His 65 yards on 13 attempts was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Red and Black. And his highlight-reel TD showed Georgia’s effort in a microcosm.

Case in point: Douglas took this outside toss in for a Superman-like score. When you factor in the most dynamic player on the offense, freshman running back Sony Michel (5’11”, 208 lbs), didn’t even play in this tilt, you can plainly see the talent UGA has at the position.

Even much-maligned quarterback Hutson Mason got into the act going 22-of-28 for 156 yards with one TD and zero interceptions. While he’ll rarely be asked to be the driving force for a victory — especially with those type of weapons at his disposal — it helps to know that he has the ability to be a caretaker.

Once receivers Justin Scott-Wesley and Malcolm Mitchell get their respective sea legs underneath, after missing the first quarter of the season due to injury, Georgia will have a chance to develop its vertical passing game further taking advantage of its running prowess.

Ferocious Defense

When you shutout a very competent offensive scheme like Mizzou’s you deserve a great deal of credit. Defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is undoubtedly one of the most creative minds in the entire business, and every week his scheme comes together.

As a 3-4-based outfit mixing in a ton of even-front principles, not to mention running a plethora of coverage shells on the back end, you’d expect it to take a few weeks for the entire operation to gel.

UGA has one of the most talented front sevens in the country, and slowly but surely the back end is starting to make plays. But when you have a pass-rusher like Leonard Floyd on your side, you can bet your bottom dollar opportunities will be plentiful.

Here we see Floyd displaying his uncanny off-the-snap quickness. He beat the tackle with a pure speed rush and showed his dexterity by being able to bend the corner.

Furthermore, he had the wherewithal, and arm length, to complete the strip sack. The 6’4″ 230-pound Floyd is a force to be reckoned with as weak-side rush linebacker. His counterpart, Jordan Jenkins, has been equally impressive this season.

And when you combine the edge-rush capabilities with the stylings of the inside linebacker duo of Amarlo Herrera and Ramik Wilson, you know that sky’s the limit for the Dawgs.

With or without Gurley, expect the Georgia to be right in the thick of things at the end of the season.

This squad is for real.