Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are now at the forefront of heated discussions. Some say that they had a decent season and had won the SEC. While others follow it by saying that ‘it was the worst offensive class in Smart’s tenure’. No matter where you lean in, one thing must be clear: Smart did have problems with his offense in the 2024 season.
Now, one could argue all day that Mike Bobo should share the blame and Kerby Smart was the victim of his hiring. Well, that may be true to an extent, but there were some glaring issues visible in their offense. Furthermore, Carson Beck’s injury late into the season certainly didn’t help the Dawgs in their cause. That essentially left the responsibility of a game as big as a playoff Quarterfinal on a player like Gunnar Stockton. A player who hadn’t seen many snaps in his college career, as he was started to get blamed for the loss. Paul Finebaum actually dismissed all the criticism and had a harsh take on Kirby Smart and their OC, Mike Bobo.
“I’m not blaming the Sugar Bowl loss on Gunner Stockon but he didn’t exactly knock me over. I frankly believe Geogia’s problem is at the offensive coordinator’s position and I think Kirby Smart for as great as I believe he is, is being way too loyal to Mike Bobo and I would get rid of Bobo today I think that’s really that was that was the frustrating part of last season and Georgia was good they just weren’t great“. But that’s not where his criticism ended. He gave a statement so harsh on Bobo that even neutrals will feel sorry for Mike Bobo after hearing it.
Finebaum, in quite a dismissive tone, rejected Bobo’s abilities and classified him as a coach who stands a level even lower than Sunday league coaches. “I think you could walk down Peachtree Street and get a better offensive coordinator than Bobo“. To which his host questioned his statement and interjected. “You said you can go down the street and a guy’s waiting for a bus you go into a food court at a mall and you can find somebody better than Mike Bobo?”. To which he replied, “Yes!!“. But, the question now comes is it fair to be harsh on Mike Bobo?
Well, Mike Bobo certainly had his share of mistakes in the 2024 season. The Dawgs’ offense was so appalling that they averaged 4.4 points in their first quarters and started every game in this fashion. Furthermore, they also had difficulties in advancing on third downs as they had a 39.2% third down conversion rate. That was a massive downgrade from their previous season when they had 55.2% third down conversions. This problem forced the team to go for it on fourth downs, including in their loss in the Sugar Bowl. The problems just go on and on for Georgia’s offense. For instance, hear this.
Is Kirby Smart’s loyalty to Mike Bobo costing Georgia?
Georgia led the country in drops, with their players Arian Smith, Dominic Lovett, and Dillon Bell dropping 36 passes in the season. The yardage for the drops accounted for almost 665 yards. Apart from this, their run game was also very dreadful. They finished with 124.4 rushing yards per game, the worst in Smart’s tenure. But the question now comes: where does the problem start?
Sports Talk J highlighted the big mistake that Kerby Smart made in his decision. “Kirby Smart let Todd Monken walk and go to the NFL. I would have thrown so much money at that guy and Kirby’s making like 13 million bucks a year and I think Minken was maybe making two or three Million. It was like man pay that guy four Million but don’t let the NFL take him. I mean they’re coming off two natties but I would say what happened there if I had to guess. Kirby thought you know it’s my defense that’s winning national titles if he doesn’t want to stay let him go I’ll bring in Mike Bobo and everything will be fine“. We all know how the hiring of Mike Bobo now turned out to be and the decision to let Todd Monken go actually backfired. But, why is Kirby so persistent with Bobo remaining in the staff?
Well, Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo go a long way back. Since both the coaches also attended the same college. But also were reportedly roommates in their college days. This added camaraderie surely plays a part in Mike Bobo being an integral part of Kirby’s staff. But how long can it go without result? That should be the prime question. Because we do not want to see Gunner Stockton suffering the same fate as Carson Beck did when he was at UGA.
The post Kirby Smart’s Blunder Exposed in Mike Bobo Stance as Gunner Stockton Doomed to Relive Carson Beck Mistakes appeared first on EssentiallySports.
