Georgia Football: Learn to Love the Bulldogs' New-Look Offense

Don’t tell anybody, but the Georgia Bulldogs offense is spectacularly potent. 

You probably didn’t notice over the condemnation of quarterback Hutson Mason, the general dismissal of everyone not named Todd Gurley and the “Fire Bobo!” chants.  But this offense isn’t half bad.  In fact, it’s not bad at all.

This offense is not only more competent than it's given credit for, but also more lovable than anyone seems to recognize.

Great Success, Even from Mason

If you measure Georgia’s efforts by something other than fan sentiment, it’s surprisingly easy to be impressed by the offensive unit.  The Bulldogs rank sixth in the country in points scored per game, and all five of their to-date opponents hail from the FBS level. 

In most scenarios, that level of production would be too good to be ignored.  At Georgia, however, many are too consumed by what they think is missing to notice what is happening.  The points scored are nice, but the more popular narrative is that Mason lacks chemistry with receivers, puts up shaky statistics and generally leaves everyone (himself included) disappointed.

And in fairness, Mason is a departure from former quarterback Aaron Murray and his SEC passing records.  Mason is not going to touch any of those records.  But while folks bemoan lack of arm strength, passing deficiencies and other perceived shortcomings of the fifth-year senior, he’s leading Georgia's offense to a 45.0 average scoring output. 

Even Murray couldn’t touch that record; his best offense yielded 37.8 points per game in 2012.

Year	Average Points Scored Per Game
2010	32.1
2011	32.0
2012	37.8
2013	36.7
2014	45.0

The irony of the anti-Mason campaigns is rich.  He’s not Murray, but he is completing a higher percentage of passes this season (68.3) than Murray ever did.  He doesn’t throw the deep ball like Murray, but isn’t the point of the deep ball to score points or to keep the defense honest and set up the run?  Isn’t Georgia scoring points and running the ball as well as it ever has?

Mason is receiving grief and the much-dreaded “game manager” title, but he’s quietly managing games very well.  Not only are the Bulldogs scoring tons of points, but they’re also winning. 

If Georgia garners a victory this weekend against Missouri, the team will be 5-1 through the season’s first half.  Murray’s big arm and prolific offenses only managed that good of a start once in his four years under center.  Georgia hasn't opened with a better six-game record since 2005.

Hutson Mason is a winner.  What’s not to love about that?

Embracing Todd Gurley

Ask any Georgia fan in the nation, and he or she will tell you the best football player in the country dons the red and black on Saturdays and wears jersey No. 3.  Todd Gurley is not only the best running back in the fans' eyes, but the best player in the country.

They may not be wrong.  They are often, however, misunderstanding.

Georgia relies heavily on Gurley—that much is undeniable.  The junior running back has had a hand (either in running, receiving or passing) in nearly 40 percent of Georgia’s gained yards.  The reason for this dependence is cause for debate, though.

While those accustomed to a prolific passing attack see a lack of one and assume the absence is a reflection of ineffectiveness, there’s danger to assuming that Gurley is Georgia’s only offensive hope.  Working on the presumption that Gurley is depended upon because Georgia cannot pass the football sells the Heisman Trophy candidate far too short.

More valid is the notion that Georgia relies on Gurley because he gives the Dawgs an optimal chance to pick up yardage, first downs, points and wins.  That’s much more a credit to his skills and determination than it is an indictment of Mason and Georgia’s passing game.  Gurley isn't Georgia's only option, but he is the team's best option.

Rainier Ehrhardt/Associated Press

Gurley is a once-in-a-generation talent.  That should be self-evident at this point.  Calling for a greater emphasis on the aerial assault takes away from what he’s capable of doing on his own.  And resigning him to the role of “Georgia’s only option on offense” negates the efforts he’s put in to earn his workload.

It’s easy to recognize Gurley for the beast that he is, but Georgia fans need to embrace his role within the offense as a fully good thing.

Firing Bobo

Of course, none of the lunacy or ironic inconsistencies quite hold their own in comparison to the Bobo firing campaign.  After all, all Bobo has done is coordinate the most successful offenses in program history.

Confused as to why Bobo needs to go?  You’re not alone.  But tune in to Twitter this Saturday for a sampling of disgruntled rumblings.  Keep your eye on your laptop or smartphone and watch the vitriol roll in while Georgia racks up points.

"

@CoachBoboUGA needs to relieved of play calling duties! It's Bryan McClendon time in my opinion! Will never win with incompetent people!

— Brandon (@lowaryb) September 14, 2014"

"

Very odd personnel package and play calling couldve put them away with big drive to end half, instead they do that.. #UGAvsVandy #firebobo

— RFJ (@AttyRFJ) October 4, 2014"

Truthfully, Bobo has given Georgia fans exactly what they want—a prolific offense.  And he’s done so in incredibly entertaining fashion. 

Though Mark Bradley of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution turned Todd Gurley’s long pass completion into a negative commentary on Mason this weekend, the fact remains that it was one of the more exciting plays in recent Georgia history, as it was a true deviation from conservative play-calling.

Also a divergent from typical Georgia football is the regularity with which Georgia has kept its offense on the field on fourth down.  Bobo's commitment to moving the chains and scoring points has vested itself in the best fourth down conversion rate in the country.

And along the way, Bobo has trotted out multiple quarterbacks (Brice Ramsey and Faton Bauta in addition to Mason), sent Mason out wide as a receiver, gotten the ball into the hands of an electrifying freshman receiver (Isaiah McKenzie) in the backfield, used young talents like Nick Chubb and Sony Michel and otherwise dazzled with still injury-limited personnel.

Georgia is 4-1 because of its offense, and if the Bulldogs want to get back to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game, they're going to have to ride Bobo, Mason, Gurley and the rest of the unit.  Despite a resounding lack of faith from what is (hopefully) a vocal minority, this group is up to the calling. 

Maybe when the Bulldogs are back in the conference title game, this offense will get some love.  They can take another step in that direction this weekend against Missouri.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all statistics courtesy of NCAA.com.