UGA Football: Mike Bobo Is Fanning the Flames of Mark Richt's Hot Seat

UGA’s Mark Richt and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo need to get creative, open up the playbook and let the Georgia Bulldogs’ offense loose against the South Carolina Gamecocks Saturday.

Mike Bobo’s play-calling has been criticized by UGA supporters for several years now. Unfortunately, Bobo did not do anything to silence those critics last Saturday against Boise State.

Bobo failed to call any plays that would take advantage of quarterback Aaron Murray’s athleticism. He never let Murray roll out of the pocket for a run/pass option that could have had success. Considering Bobo’s apparent love affair with the draw play, maybe call a delayed quarterback draw on occasion to keep opposing defenses on their toes.

More than anything, Georgia simply cannot afford to continue to call certain plays in certain situations that boggle the mind. Down by 21 late in the game against Boise State, it’s 3rd-and-long and Bobo dials up (surprise) a draw play that goes nowhere.

Yes, Georgia was in far too many 3rd-and-long situations all night (and whose fault is that?) but at least give yourself a chance.

Cut Murray loose and try to make something happen. What is the worst that could happen? Murray throws a pick and a game that was already pretty much out of reach for Georgia becomes completely out of reach. Georgia’s go-nowhere draw play essentially had the same effect.

However, if Georgia keeps that drive alive and scores, maybe it picks up the whole team and momentum begins to swing. Unfortunately, we will never know.

Being the offensive guru that he proved himself to be at FSU and his first years at UGA, Mark Richt has to recognize and address these issues with his offensive coordinator. Perhaps Richt needs to get more involved in the game-planning of the offense and possible play-calling duties.

This week is especially important to get the offense moving because South Carolina is going to score points.

Do not dream that the Georgia defense is going to be able to shut down Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffrey for four quarters. Granted it is not an ideal game plan, but UGA needs their defense to just hold strong and not let South Carolina run away with the game. Then it will be up to the offense to answer with a big day. Expect a shootout if UGA is going to be in this game in the fourth quarter.

Mark Richt’s proverbial seat started warming up after a lackluster 8-5 2009 season. After leading UGA to its first losing season since 1996, Richt’s seat really started to heat up. Now, after a disappointing loss to Boise State to start 2011, Richt is really feeling the pressure from the UGA fanbase.

At this point, Richt and Bobo have little to lose by opening up the offense and taking some chances. A close loss is not really going to look any better than a blowout. Georgia will still be 0-2 and on the outside-looking-in at the SEC East race.

In fact, if Richt is on the hot seat, Bobo is almost certainly right there with him. Many UGA supporters believe Richt’s loyalty to Bobo has led him to make a mistake by not replacing him last season with some of the other coaching changes (much like many believe Richt stayed with DC Willie Martinez far too long). Regardless, if a new head coach is brought in, do not expect him to keep Bobo on.

Offensively, playing it safe, again, is almost certainly going to let South Carolina wear Georgia down and eventually outlast them—if not flat blow them out. If Bobo can muster the courage to be more creative and take more risks, the Bulldogs might just have a shot at knocking off the Gamecocks.

One thing is for sure: If Georgia keeps trotting out the same lame offense that showed up against Boise State, the future looks bleak for this game, the season and the coaching staff at UGA.