Alabama Football: Not good enough a Georgia pattern under Kirby

Alabama Football and Georgia Football are different in so many ways that Bulldogs’ fans want to ignore. The Bulldogs have had Frank Sinkwich, Charlie Trippi, Fran Tarkington and Herschel Walker, four of a total of 16 players in the College Football Hall of Fame.

The Alabama Crimson Tide has 25 members of the College Football Hall of Fame, including 17 players. The Crimson Tide most famous players list outshines the Bulldogs with Johnny Mack Brown, Harry Gilmer, Don Hutson, Dixie Howell and John Hannah. The Crimson Tide contingent in the Pro Football Hall of Fame has eight members, doubling four from the Bulldogs.

Then there is the ultimate measurement. After back-to-back National Championship seasons for Alabama Football in 1978 and 1979, Georgia won one in 1980. The Crimson Tide has won seven National Championships since Georgia’s last. It is 40 seasons, and counting, since that1980, Georgia National Championship, the Bulldogs have won zero. No wonder the Dawgs aspire to become equal to Alabama Football.

Kirby Smart was supposed to not only change Georgia’s history; he was expected to also take down the King of College Football, Nick Saban. Five seasons into his head coaching career, Kirby keeps coming up short. Under Smart, Georgia won the 2017 SEC Championship. Winning the SEC is always an honor. But with Kirby stockpiling talent, recruiting class after recruiting class, he has fallen way short of expectations.

Alabama Football has what Georgia doesn’t

What is Georgia’s problem? No Bulldog likes the answer, but it is obvious – Kirby Smart is no Nick Saban. Saban’s coaching disciples have an advantage when moving up to head coach. They have been taught how to follow an incredibly detailed and proven process. Unfortunately, what some schools have shown is that knowing what the process is, does not mean a head coach is capable of executing it.

Heading toward the 2021 season, Georgia fans are convinced Kirby has found the missing component in J.T. Daniels and Todd Monken.

Daniels showed some sizzle as the Bulldogs QB in the last four games of the 2020 season. A Georgia offense that had been inconsistent through the air, exploded with 400-plus yards of passing in two of its last four games. The passing game was not much needed in the win over South Carolina. Against Missouri, the Georgia offense flexed a balanced attack that generated 615 yards.

Daniels could well be what Georgia has not had in Smart’s tenure. Todd Monken will give him plenty of options. Monken is good at adapting his offenses to the skill sets of his players. He favors the passing game, with spread formations and eye candy to mislead defenses. But running the football is another Monken ingredient.

Monken has a quiet but acknowledged reputation of being a good quarterback coach. He and Daniels may be a great fit. For that to work, Kirby will need to stay out of Monken’s way. Smart has no track record of helping QBs and some Georgia fans believe Kirby has harmed some.

The Georgia defense got a big boost when former Alabama football, defensive back, Brandon Turnage announced he will join the Bulldogs.