Overreaction Monday: Loss-loss-loss means chaos all around
Welcome back to Overreaction Monday, where this week there is no reaction that would qualify as an overreaction -- BECAUSE EVERYBODY LOST.
DATELINE: JACKSONVILLE
GEORGIA
Skinny: 5-3, 3-3 (second place in SEC East). Last week: Lost to Florida 27-3. Next week: Home against Kentucky.
Overreaction narrative: "I'm done with Mark Richt."
Reality check: I'm done with Mark Richt, too. (Also, with Brian Schottenheimer, but let's stick with the bigger picture for now.) It took me a long time to reach this point. I was almost there when the 6-7 season of 2010 was followed by a season-opening smackdown by Boise State in 2011. But Richt turned that season around and his team had a strong performance the following year before fading again. Bottom line: I think it would be in the best interest of both parties if Georgia thanked Mark Richt for all he has done in Athens and then he resigns. This is not a situation you want to get ugly. But it's difficult to get a read on athletic director Greg McGarity right now. Would he push the button if the Dogs win their final four games and finish 9-3 (pre bowl)? I don't know the answer to that. I'm not sure he knows the answer to that right now.
But if you want to know more about what I think, click this link on Dawgnation.com or this link on AJC.com.
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DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
GEORGIA TECH
Skinny: 3-6, 1-5 (seventh place in ACC Coastal). Last week: Lost 27-21 at Virginia. Next week: Bye. (Next game: Thursday, Nov. 12, vs. Virginia Tech.)
Overreaction narrative: "I told you the win over Florida State was an aberration."
Reality check: No argument. I thought Tech would beat Virginia, not because I suddenly believed the Jackets were a great team but because Virginia wasn't that good, either. Also, the Jackets played so well defensively against Florida State and seemed to catch some mojo with the implausible finish that game -- a blocked field goal attempt followed by a 78-yard return for a touchdown at the end of regulation -- that Tech seemingly had a chance to finish the season strong. But no. Nothing is going to safe this season. The Jackets continue to have significant offensive problems, stemming largely from line issues, and rushed for 144 yards. In an option, that's low. The Jackets' defensive front also allowed 233 yards rushing. This is Virginia, not the power rushing attack of the Seattle Seahawks. Tech theoretically can still qualify for a bowl game but that would mean beating Virginia Tech, Miami (road) and Georgia, and they may be underdogs in all three.
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DATELINE: GEORGIA DOME
FALCONS
Skinny: 6-2 (second place in NFC South). Last week: Lost 23-20 in overtime to Tampa Bay. Next week: at San Francisco.
Overreaction narrative: "This team won't make the playoffs."
Reality check: Yeah, they will. The Falcons lost the game largely because of turnovers -- four, which led to all 20 Tampa Bay points in regulation. Turnovers aren't about scheme or skill or even coaching. JUST DON'T DROP THE BALL. See how that works? The Falcons have 12 turnovers in the last four games after committing only two in the first four. But there are other reasons for concern. The offense struggled in the red zone against the Buccaneers. Their first five trips into that "score zone" resulted in two turnovers, two field goals and only one touchdown. If the Falcons get to the end zone in just one of those other drives, they win the game. Quarterback Matt Ryan seemingly is struggling with reads in run-pass option plays (which led to one of the fumbles during a botched exchange with Devonta Freeman ) and it would really help if offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan could elevate Roddy White into something more than a blocker in the weekly game plan. Because the guy can make clutch catches, you know? Defensively, the Falcons were beat up, losing two starting cornerbacks (Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford) and two linemen (Tyson Jackson, Paul Soliai) during the game, after starting without safety William Moore. Until the defense gets healthy -- and until some semblance of a pass rush is found -- the Falcons are going to need to score more points.
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