Georgia Football: Kirby Smart avoids QB controversy in Vanderbilt win

In addition to winning the actual game, Georgia football coach Kirby Smart continues to avoid controversy at the quarterback position.

In Week 6, the Georgia Bulldogs dominated in their win over the Vanderbilt Commodores, 41-13. There wasn’t much abnormal about the game, but many are still eager to see more of the two Georgia quarterbacks.

Sophomore quarterback, Jake Fromm, looked very good in this week’s game. By halftime, Fromm had completed 14 of his 19 pass attempts for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Before he was taken out of the game in the third quarter, he added another touchdown and 70 more yards. The freshman quarterback, Justin Fields, play decently. He was 3-for-6 on passing for 53 yards, while also rushing for 50 yards on seven carries.

Lessons Learned

Kirby Smart has significantly limited the amount of playing time that Fields has gotten early in the game after watching what happened at Clemson. Two weeks ago, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney named their freshman quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, as the new starter over senior, Kelly Bryant.

After Lawrence was named the starter, Bryant left the team and announced he will be transferring. The next week, Clemson nearly lost a home game to Syracuse after Lawrence was knocked out of the game, and Bryant was not their to step in.

Smart knows the value of having two capable quarterbacks since injuries are inevitable, and does not want to risk a possible loss due to not having a reliable back up. Therefore, Smart is avoiding a quarterback controversy, and ensuring that Jake Fromm is the clear starter and leader of the Bulldog offense. He knows his team is good enough to easily win most games this season and almost all of his quarterbacks would be able to get the job done.

However, with all the hype around the spectacular freshman, he knows that the more Fields plays, the more pressure he would feel to give him even more playing time. Giving Fromm the majority of the snaps, and only allowing Fields in after the win has been assured, limits the exposure and attention given to Fields.

Could they both play?

One way Georgia could give both quarterbacks playing time is by employing Fields as a redzone quarterback. We have seen the Bulldogs completely trick opposing defenses on Run-Pass option plays when Fields was under center. Since he is a true dual-threat quarterback, Georgia’s play book expands significantly with Fields in the game.

Fromm remains a much better game manager with tons more experience. Had it not been for Tua Tagovailoa coming into last year’s National Championship game to save Alabama, Fromm would be a championship winning quarterback. Additionally, Fromm’s connection with the receivers is essential when the game’s are close.

Next week the Georgia Bulldogs will be given their first real test of the year when they travel to Baton Rouge to face LSU. The LSU Tigers are coming off their first loss of the season in a, 19-27, game at Florida. This may help or hurt the Bulldogs. LSU’s momentum may be dying. But, the Tiger’s loss may very well add fuel to the desire to beat Georgia.