Rounding into form just when it matters:
While there were some mistakes, the fact is that this performance was a big improvement over a lot of what we saw before the Florida game. In the past two weeks, Georgia has put together imperfect performances. They have also dominated the two best teams in their division and to be honest, neither game has been close.
That’s a sign of just how talented this team is. They’ve got the potential to stand up to Alabama in a way that nobody else in the SEC can but to do so, they need to play better. We’ve seen a steady improvement the past few weeks as the team seems to get more focused. Looking back, that LSU loss certainly helped to bond this team as a whole. We’ve seen a completely different attitude from them the past two weeks and even after securing the division, the players didn’t seem satisfied.
Fans are not the only people who know how talented this group is. The players inside that locker room see it every day and it’s worth remembering that there are some seniors in this group that know their time in Athens is coming to an end. The likes of Ledbetter, Deandre Baker, Lamont Gaillard and Terry Godwin are big presences in that dressing room. All of them know that if they want to finish their careers with a Natty on their resume, their team has to get better.
That’s a powerful motivator. Not only are those guys going to give their all, but we’re seeing improvement from young players. It wasn’t just the seniors who played well last year and carried that team to the CFP. Younger guys stepped up as well because they wanted those leaders to achieve those goals and finish their time in Athens on a high. We’re at the point of the season where a loss will leave a blemish on the career of the seniors who have given so much to this program. It’s great to see the rest of the team respond accordingly.