Alas, the end of another Georgia Bulldogs football season is here, and this year the regular season ended on quite the sour note.
No one ever wants to lose to Georgia Tech. But that’s not what this is about.
Looking over the entire 2014 regular season, there were moments to be proud of and moments to forget. All in all we have a bright future ahead of us – a great arsenal of running backs, an improved defense and a new QB next year. Let’s also not forget the recruiting class that will be coming in.
So what were the highs and lows of the Georgia Bulldogs’ football season? Take a look.
Highs:
Beating Clemson.
After getting embarrassed in the 2013 season opener, we had a bone to pick with the Tigers that bounce like rabbits (according to my oldest daughter). The game saw Todd Gurley have a 100+ yard kick-off return finishing the game 2 yards shy of 200 yards. We got them back for last year, 45-21.
The way the team quieted the naysayers.
When Todd Gurley was suspended, no one gave our team a chance in hell. With back-to-back road games to Missouri and Arkansas plus Florida, we were written off. I’m glad the team didn’t listen. Our beloved Georgia Bulldogs pulled together two phemonemal wins against Missouri and Arkansas, including shutting out Missouri in their own house. It also gave way to our future – Nick Chubb.
Nick Chubb’s emergence as the top running back.
Yes, I did just say top. In my honest opinion he’s better than Todd Gurley and will put up better numbers as well. As long as he doesn’t sign anything. He’s rushed for well over 1,000 yards this season and didn’t even start every game. 2015 will see a lot of Chubby time.
An improved turnover ratio.
Last year we couldn’t force or get a turnover if our lives depended on it. This year we were MUCH improved (aside from the Tech game). That is something to be proud of.
Revenge on Auburn.
This year, the Auburn game didn’t come down to a reflected pass. We totally dominated them, not letting them score after their first possession. To walk away winners at 34-7 felt good.
Lows:
The losses.
I could list each of these separately, but I won’t. South Carolina saw a weather delay, a phantom holding call on a Todd Gurley touchdown, and ZERO points after having 1st and goal to win the game. Florida, well, let’s just say both teams took us back the 1990’s when it was Jim Donnan versus Steve Spurrier. I had to check my phone repeatedly to make sure I hadn’t been teleported to be UGA undergraduate years.
Todd Gurley.
For all the good he displayed, no one knew he had been profiting off his autograph the past 2 years behind our backs. Losing him was a total disappointment to everyone, Gurley himself included. For the first time in forever, we had a legitimate Heisman candidate, not to mention he was the top running back in the nation, only to have it all washed away by some idiot in Rome. Sadly, his story would not have a happy ending. Todd tore his ACL in his first game back and was lost for the remainder of the season.
The inconsistency of our play.
We were lights out one week and a dud the next. We rarely had two complete games back to back. One game it’s special teams, the next the defense, then the next the offense. Something has to give. To compete for titles and to win we have to play consistent each and every week. If we had played like we did at Missouri or against Auburn, no one could beat us, Alabama included.
The Georgia Tech game.
Enough said.
What do you think? What were some of Georgia’s highs and lows this season? Talk to us in the comments below.