Though clearly some teams have risen to their respective opportunities and occasions (our boys included, and notably UK in holding on against PSU), it hasn't exactly been a clean sweep on a clear highway.
So far it isn't simply that some SEC teams have underperformed, it's that they appear to have been poorly coached in the process. The worst, most egregious examples have been Ed Ogeron in LSU's win over UCF, and Kirby not-all-that-Smart's failure to somehow either not recognize his team's lack of motivation OR WORSE, see it but not properly respond to it.
In the latter case, it is only midway thru the 2nd quarter of the Sugar Bowl, a not-much-SMARTER Tom Herman's many failures to fully capitalize having given UGA every chance here to get back in it--so jury is still OUT on THIS one.
But Ogeron's team was an embarrassment in every way except in the final score--too close considering how badly UCF was truly outclassed in terms of talent , and unfortunately leaving the door open for more claims of "We matched up ok against the SEC again!" BS from the losers. FACT: YOU DIDN'T "match up"--you just were PERMITTED to hang around by a dumbass Head Coach who brought a selfish, ill-prepared and undisciplined (if talented) team to the Fiesta Bowl. Had they been properly composed and armed with a proper gameplan utilizing their size and skill advantages, they would likely have had these hollow-armored "Knights" routed by the half, or shortly thereafter. But Ogeron knows about as much about strategy and out-THINKING his opponent as a turtle knows about playing chess.
Meanwhile, this Sugar Bowl goes to the half 20-7 Texas. A good start--but considering all the chances they were handed AND HOW WELL HIS PLAYERS PLAYED THEIR HEARTS OUT, Tom Herman did everything but squander those opportunities...Only his QB's Tebow-esque clutch run for TD, finally, on their third chance UGA handed them, they wouldn't even have that 2-score lead. I am so UNimpressed overall with Herman as a Head Coach that I still expect Smart's charges to pull this one out in the 2nd half--but I also see the signs of Kirby's demise as well:
Here's an early forcast: Win or lose here, and despite the widespread rush to anoint him somehow the next "Dynasty-leader" out of the SEC East, I believe we have already SEEN "the high water mark" of UGA's rise under Kirby Smart. It will be Dan Mullen's GATORS who will grab that crown--and much sooner than "the experts" have loudly proclaimed...It may well be coming in 2019--depending on who/what emerges/ensues at the QB position this spring/summer and into Fall.
So far it isn't simply that some SEC teams have underperformed, it's that they appear to have been poorly coached in the process. The worst, most egregious examples have been Ed Ogeron in LSU's win over UCF, and Kirby not-all-that-Smart's failure to somehow either not recognize his team's lack of motivation OR WORSE, see it but not properly respond to it.
In the latter case, it is only midway thru the 2nd quarter of the Sugar Bowl, a not-much-SMARTER Tom Herman's many failures to fully capitalize having given UGA every chance here to get back in it--so jury is still OUT on THIS one.
But Ogeron's team was an embarrassment in every way except in the final score--too close considering how badly UCF was truly outclassed in terms of talent , and unfortunately leaving the door open for more claims of "We matched up ok against the SEC again!" BS from the losers. FACT: YOU DIDN'T "match up"--you just were PERMITTED to hang around by a dumbass Head Coach who brought a selfish, ill-prepared and undisciplined (if talented) team to the Fiesta Bowl. Had they been properly composed and armed with a proper gameplan utilizing their size and skill advantages, they would likely have had these hollow-armored "Knights" routed by the half, or shortly thereafter. But Ogeron knows about as much about strategy and out-THINKING his opponent as a turtle knows about playing chess.
Meanwhile, this Sugar Bowl goes to the half 20-7 Texas. A good start--but considering all the chances they were handed AND HOW WELL HIS PLAYERS PLAYED THEIR HEARTS OUT, Tom Herman did everything but squander those opportunities...Only his QB's Tebow-esque clutch run for TD, finally, on their third chance UGA handed them, they wouldn't even have that 2-score lead. I am so UNimpressed overall with Herman as a Head Coach that I still expect Smart's charges to pull this one out in the 2nd half--but I also see the signs of Kirby's demise as well:
Here's an early forcast: Win or lose here, and despite the widespread rush to anoint him somehow the next "Dynasty-leader" out of the SEC East, I believe we have already SEEN "the high water mark" of UGA's rise under Kirby Smart. It will be Dan Mullen's GATORS who will grab that crown--and much sooner than "the experts" have loudly proclaimed...It may well be coming in 2019--depending on who/what emerges/ensues at the QB position this spring/summer and into Fall.