Georgia’s offensive calling card during Coach Smart’s tenure has been attrition. Georgia wanted to line up, punch you in the mouth, and let its stable of backs steadily grind out yards on the ground, wearing down opposing defenses.
Once the defense took enough body blows, the holes got wider and the yards gained got longer.
The problem is, against more elite opponents like Alabama, with the depth and talent to absorb Georgia’s physicality, the offense tended to stall.
Clemson’s defensive line may be the best in the country. They line up grown men across the board, and Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, and Tyler Davis have the talent to take over the game and control the line of scrimmage.
Georgia cannot let that happen by running directly in to the teeth of the Clemson D. One of the strengths of Georgia’s offense is its depth at running back. And whether it’s Zamir White, Kendall Milton, Kenny McIntosh, or James Cook, each back is adept at catching the ball out of the backfield.
Georgia must utilize them as weapons in the short passing game in early downs to loosen up Clemson’s defense and keep their front 7 guessing. As the game progresses, and it becomes evident that Clemson’s defenders are honoring the threat of the pass, Georgia can gash them with the run as things stay loose underneath.
At G-Day, Coach Monken called the game that way, essentially using the short passing game in lieu of the running game, to keep Georgia’s offense ahead of the sticks and in manageable down and distances.
Which leads in to the second thing Georgia’s awesome must do against Clemson on Saturday.