Monday Musings -- Sept 25

Roquan Smith is one piece of a Georgia defense that could have the Bulldogs challenging for SEC supremacy (The Clarion Ledger)

 The SEC has long been ruled by Alabama, and after the Tide spanked what was supposed to be an up-and-coming Vanderbilt team 59-0, allowing just 89 yards to the Commodores, it looks like yet another year of non-stop Crimson Tide talk, of anointing Nick Saban's bunch as the cream of the crop.

 As a noted philosopher once said, "Not so fast my friend."

 There is a team in the SEC East that is emerging -- whether or not it is good enough to knock off the Tide remains to be seen, but this team appears to have a clear path to Atlanta and the SEC title game, barring any major injury to a star player.

 This team is the Georgia Bulldogs.

 I'll give you a minute to get up off the floor because I know you've been laughing hysterically. Georgia? Did I really say Georgia? The team that last won the SEC in 2005? The team that has been the most talented in the division yet hasn't even won it since 2012?

 Yeah, that Georgia.

 The Bulldogs are 4-0 after obliterating a solid but probably overrated Mississippi State team in Athens on Saturday night. Sure, Nick Fitzgerald is worth the price of admission, and Aeris Willliams should get more love when talking about top SEC running backs, but Georgia was dominant, allowing just 280 yards to a team that had piled up at least 450 yards in each of its first three contests.

 Georgia's defense is ranked in the top 20 nationally, but is ninth in yards per play (4.01). There aren't a whole lot of explosive plays against the Bulldogs, one of just six teams in the country yet to allow a gain of at least 40 yards. Georgia has allowed just four plays of 30-plus yards, and looks like a group that has the ability to stick around for the duration of the season.

 Linebacker Roquan Smith has been excellent, averaging nearly seven tackles per game, and safety J.R. Reed is close behind with 25 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Linebacker Lorenzo Carter leads the team with three sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss, and eight players average at least three tackles per contest. So it's a real group effort, and there don't appear to be any real major weaknesses.

 Georgia allows just over three yards per carry, and against the pass teams are having to check down due to great coverage from the secondary. The Bulldogs 4.9 yards per attempt is fourth best in the country, and there don't appear to be any truly formidable offensive challenges until November, when Georgia heads to Auburn.

 Now, about that Alabama thing -- the Tide ran the ball down Vandy's throat, amassing nearly 500 rushing yards. They won't be able to do that against Georgia, at least not the way Georgia is playing defense at the moment. That means Bama may need to rely on the pass, which is a shaky proposition given that Jalen Hurts appears to have progressed only minimally throwing the ball downfield.

 The offense isn't dynamic, but there is enough passing ability from Jake Fromm to offset any team that might be able to shut down Georgia's rushing attack.The Bulldogs have allowed just three sacks in four games, though it should be noted they have only attempted 76 passes. There isn't a lot of yardage, but is a lot of efficiency -- averaging 6.01 YPP and scoring on all 13 trips to the red zone (10 TDs, three field goals).

 There is a lot of football to be played, and in the interest of full disclosure it should be noted that someone went just about all in on Georgia this season, ranking them on the fringes of the CFP at No. 6 in the preseason.

 Is there a chance Georgia stumbles on the way to the SEC crowning? Given its history, certainly. But this team seems to have a different demeanor, and should be able to handle the pressure that will grow will each passing week.

 If you dislike Alabama -- and I know there are tons of you that do -- then you might do well to adopt Georgia as a team, because the Bulldogs have at least a fighting chance to knock off the Tide.

 Harbaugh Hopping Mad

 Jim Harbaugh doesn't typically address the media when Michigan has an off week, but he made an exception this week because there were a couple of things he wanted to get off his chest following the Wolverines 28-10 victory over Purdue in West Lafayette on Saturday.

 First was a hit on quarterback Wilton Speight, a hit that forced him from the game. Harbaugh said he looked at tape and the hit was "egregious," and in the head, yet nothing in the way of targeting was called. He also didn't like the small locker rooms and the fact that Purdue "looked the same as when I was here in 1986."

 He also stated that his players had to sit on the team bus to get cool because there was no air conditioning in the visitors locker room.

 “It’s become apparent after going around to all the visiting schools in the last couple years that it’s a conscious effort of gamesmanship," Harbaugh said, with a straight face. "It is unsportsmanlike when you have locker rooms that are too small."

 Just like it's gamesmanship to not release a roster and a two-deep, right Jim? Harbaugh invented the word gamesmanship, so it's funny to hear him complain when another team may (or may not) be doing it.

 Harbaugh did raise a good point, however, when it came to the antiquated medical area in Ross-Ade Stadium. Speight had to travel to an off-campus medical facility for examination, which is completely unacceptable.

"There has to be a minimum standard of care for the players," Harbaugh said. "We put a lot of emphasis into the health and safety of the players, but it doesn't even seem sanitary."

 He talked about an exam table that looked like it was "from the 20s," and basically ripped Purdue for not having up to date examination areas.

 Rival Urban Meyer became an ally on this issue after he was asked about Harbaugh's comments in the postgame after his Buckeyes beat UNLV.

 “I've shared it with our athletic director, and the commissioner should handle that,” Meyer said. “In my strong opinion [treating your opponents poorly] should not be allowed.”

Thanks For Playing

 This is the spot where we say goodbye to teams that are no longer part of the chase for the College Football Playoff. It can be a Power 5 team that suffers a demoralizing injury to a star or loses a second game, or a Group of Five team that loses, period.

 So, thanks for playing Florida State -- not that we really thought you would rally from losing Deondre Francois, but the loss to NC State reaffirmed that this just isn't going to be your year. And with games remaining against Miami, Louisville, Clemson and Duke -- yes, Duke -- the Noles could be looking at a .500 season.

 Thanks for playing, Purdue -- though you were always on the periphery anyway, losing to Michigan at least ended a season of hope before it really got going. Fear not, Boiler Nation -- Jeff Brohm was an excellent hire, and you could be contending for the B1G West division title as soon as next year.

 Thanks for playing, Boise State -- who are we kidding? The Broncos never had a shot due to a down conference and being in the weaker side of the Mountain West. For a team to be considered CFP worthy from this league, it will need to go unbeaten. You listening, San Diego State?

 Thanks for playing, UCLA -- another team that really was never in it, but people thought had a shot due to the talents of QB Josh Rosen. The Bruins aren't nearly consistent enough on defense, and the offense doesn't run the football well enough to really make inroads against good teams. The Jim Mora watch will begin very soon in LA ...

 Thanks for playing, Arkansas -- much like your actual games, you have proven you can't finish. The Hogs had Texas A&M beaten a couple of times yet somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Bret Bielema could begin feeling some warmth on his seat, though will probably get another year because Arkansas fans don't really have expectations.

 There are now 24 unbeaten teams, but that number will dwindle because next week has four games featuring unbeatens going against each other. So an even 20, at best. This is getting interesting.

 On the flip side, just eight winless squads remain, and none HAVE to win because they don't face another winless team. Keep doing what you do, oh winless squads. There is pride in achievement.