Georgia Football: Belk Bowl Gives Bobo a Chance for Payback vs. Grantham

The Belk Bowl may not be the dream destination for Georgia fans frustrated by squandered playoff chances, but the presence of former Bulldog defensive coordinator Todd Grantham on the opposing sideline offers one of bowl season's more compelling subplots.

The intrigue transcends mere casual familiarity, however, as Georgia's matchup with Louisville gives Mike Bobo, the Dawgs' long-time offensive coordinator, an opportunity to match wits with his old counterpart.

Grantham's time at Georgia was tumultuous, to be sure, but has now been revised unjustly as a categorical four-year failure.  In fairness, his 2011 defense finished among the strongest units in the nation and his 2012 team hit its stride late in the year.  But throughout Grantham's tenure there seemed to be a misalignment between talent and on-field results.  And it could be argued that disappointing defensive play adversely impacted Bobo more than anyone.

Dave Tulis/Associated Press

While Grantham's inaugural season at Georgia (2010) was a year of adjustment for both sides of the ball, Bobo's offense began to find its stride in 2011 and was hitting record-setting levels by 2012 and 2013.  But despite a string of talented running backs and Aaron Murray, the most accomplished quarterback in SEC history, Georgia never quite put it all together.

The most common denominator of recurring setbacks was disappointing defensive performances.

In 2011, Georgia bookended a 10-game winning streak by opening with two losses on either end of the season.  In each of those four defeats Georgia allowed 33 or more points.

A strong 2012 season saw two losses for Georgia, both featuring more than 30 points allowed to opposition.  And while most fans remember that year's SEC championship for a Bulldog drive that came up just a few yards short, it was the defense that put Georgia in a position to lose.  

Alabama racked up 512 total yards that day with 350 coming on the ground.  The Dawgs defense had no answer for running backs Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon, and Grantham's secondary got burned for a 45-yard game-winning touchdown pass with just over three minutes remaining.

And though injuries on offense and youth on defense defined Georgia in 2013, four of the Bulldogs' five losses came after giving up more than 30 points.

Year	Opponent	Points Allowed
2011	Boise State	35
2011	South Carolina	45
2011	LSU	42
2011	Michigan State	33
2012	South Carolina	35
2012	Alabama	32
2013	Clemson	38
2103	Missouri	41
2013	Vanderbilt	31
2013	Auburn	43
2013	Nebraska	24
2011-2013	Average	36.3

Of course, all of those points can't be blamed solely on Grantham.  Special teams play was horrendous, particularly in 2013, and yielded more points than anyone cares to admit.  Additionally, a few of those losses—such as the LSU game in 2011 and South Carolina in 2012—came as the defense got no help from Bobo's offense. 

But that coin is also two-sided.  In 2012, Georgia had to score 51 points to claim a victory against Tennessee as the Volunteers put up 44 points on Grantham's porous defense.  The LSU game in 2013 required 44 points from Bobo's offense as the defense yielded 41.

And while these instances may not have ever crystallized as a pattern, it's worth noting the varying fates of Georgia's two coordinators.

Last December, Georgia head coach Mark Richt had to address speculation surrounding Grantham's future.  "Everybody should be back," he told Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution before adding, "continuity is a good thing for Georgia."

Timothy D. Easley/Associated Press

Ultimately, Grantham was not back.  He left of his own volition for a job at Louisville last January.  But it merits noting that just a month earlier many felt his future was unsecured and Georgia made no noticeable effort to keep him when the Cardinals came calling.  Further, one would be hard-pressed to find a section of Bulldog fans who would trade current coordinator Jeremy Pruitt for Grantham.

On the other side of the ball, Mark Richt isn't fielding many questions about Bobo's future as the Bulldogs are on pace to break his own school record for scoring offense.  Bobo's unit has scored 40 or more points 20 times over the past three seasons.  That type of offensive assault was previously unheard of at Georgia.

Undoubtedly, the Belk Bowl will be a call to arms for both coordinators.  Don't be surprised to see Bobo pull out a fuller playbook than normal to exact some revenge.  One victory won't negate a hand full of prior losses, but it might make a statement.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all stats courtesy of sports-reference.com.