Kirby Smart explains why Georgia struggled on 3rd down vs. Alabama
Kirby Smart knows in a game like Saturday night’s, where the margin between winning and losing is so razor thin, every play matters.
And specifically, moving the chains matters. That makes converting on 3rd downs so crucial, and Georgia simply didn’t convert on 3rd down nearly enough to keep up with Alabama in a game the Bulldogs still almost won.
Georgia was an unsightly 3 for 15 on 3rd down in a 41-34 loss. The Bulldogs were down 30-7 at halftime and nearly pulled off a stunning comeback in front of the college football world. But they didn’t, and converting a few more of those 3rd downs might’ve made things a little bit easier for Georgia in Tuscaloosa.
During Monday’s weekly press conference, Smart addressed the Bulldogs’ massive 3rd-down struggles, and he kept the explanation nice and simple.
“A little bit (of) lack of execution,” he said. “The reason we were No. 1 in the country in third down is we had short distances. … When you start backing it up on third down, it doesn’t take a PhD to realize you’re not going to be as good.”
Kirby Smart on Georgia's third-down struggles: "A little bit lack of execution. The reason we were No. 1 in the country in third down is we had short distances … When you start backing it up on third down, it doesn't take a PhD to realize you're not going to be as good"
— Jordan D. Hill (@JordanDavisHill) September 30, 2024
Alabama wasn’t much better on 3rd down on Saturday night, converting only 3 of 11 times. But the Crimson Tide weren’t playing from behind for most of the night like the Bulldogs were.
Smart’s team will try to bounce back from the emotional loss this Saturday at home against Auburn.
Anyone heard from the fake Doug or Negan?
Negan’s taking a turn as Voltrainconductor this year.
I always knew he had multiple personalities. This one must stick with the 140-character limit with his response, which is appreciated.
That’s his way of trying to throw you off the scent.
I beat them into submission with 1 simple question, “Who will be looking up at VOLS in 14 days?”. Your turn. We are going to beat into submission any little boys or teenage punks you put on the field. We will teach them why Saban begged the SEC to free him from Tennessee. We will teach them why Saban quit. Teenage high school punks about to learn what it means to play in Neyland Stadium. He will get separated.
As a Volunqueer fan we love little boys and teenage punks, Sandusky taught our Coach all the secrets. We know that nobody is scared to play at our toilet bowl of a stadium, especially Saban, he made it his home away from home and we quickly became his personal bi tches.
They may have been bad on 3rd down, but they were d@mn spectacular on 4th down.
..against a choking Pac 12 Alabama. The SEC is not happy.
I’m kidding, we get calls everyday from the SEC telling us how embarrassing it is to be TN. I mean 1998 is the standard in Knoxville. Even the great Peyton Manning couldn’t win here. We will not win another championship in this Century. Our recruiting is horrible.
I am enjoying the Heckle and Jekyll Voltrainchoochooboy. Very refreshing and entertaining. Please continue. Thank you.