After three games, all is right in the Bulldog Nation as Kirby Smart and his tenacious team continues to pound their opponents into submission. Other than too many penalties last week against Middle Tennessee, there is very little to complain about for these 2018 Dawgs.
Next stop … Operation CoMo …
That’s right, this week the team flies halfway across the country to Columbia, Mo. for an 11 a.m. central time zone battle versus the 3-0 Missouri Tigers. With that being said, it seemed fitting to highlight the statement our players and coaches make each week when getting off the bus.
Sharp, focused and all business, comes from the man at the top of Georgia football, which makes Blane Marable’s terrific photo of Kirby a no-brainer for this issue’s cover.
Just in his third season, Kirby, Mr. CEO, has taken a talented group of players and formed them into a dominating team, where selfishness is simply not tolerated.
After the departures of big-time players and leaders like Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and Roquan Smith, it was fair to ask the question if this year’s team would take a step back. Thus far, that certainly doesn’t seem to be the case, but I say that realizing that the 2018 campaign has really just begun.
Operation CoMo is all about razor-sharp focus from the minute the team boards the buses at Butts-Mehre en route to the airport. This attention to every detail will take leaders from the team in each phase of the game. Thankfully, some go-to guys have emerged.
On defense, Deandre Baker, Mr. Pick, is certainly a name that everyone in the country should now know after his sterling performances against South Carolina and Middle Tennessee. To say, he has a knack for finding the football is a gross understatement. But his recent success has a ton to do with the fact that the Georgia defensive line and linebackers are stingy on every snap.
On offense, Jake Fromm, Mr. Steady, continues to put the Georgia O in the right call, be it a running or passing play. Fromm knows that his awesome staple of running backs, receivers and tight ends is full of big time players. His job is to put the ball into those guy’s hands and let them do their thing. So far, Mecole Hardman, Mr Everything, is Fromm’s favorite target, but this is made possible by Georgia’s offensive line and running game that is steamrolling opposing, defenses thus far.
On special teams, Rodrigo Blankenship, Mr. Automatic, continues to bust kickoffs through the end zone for touchbacks and delivers with field goals whenever called on. Oh yeah, then there’s my guy Mecole who can take a punt or kickoff to the house any time Georgia’s opponent is silly enough to give him the opportunity.
While I’m having fun with Operation CoMo and the special agents that will make it successful, under no circumstances am I taking the Mizzou roadie lightly. Drew Lock is one of the best passers in the country and is being touted as the possible #1 pick in the 2019 National Football League draft. And you gotta give the Tigers football program it’s due as they have been the SEC East representative in the championship game twice since entering the league in 2012. Also, I must say that I’ve been impressed with the Tigers’ fan base that would love nothing more than to take down the AP’s No. 2 ranked team.
This issue of BI should definitely get you prepared for the task at hand with excellent sports and social coverage from everyone here at BI. I certainly look forward to running into the Bulldog Nation, who will be making the trip to the Midwest for Operation CoMo, where the goal is to get in and get out with a victory. Go Dawgs!!