Coaches often talk about the “Middle Eight,” a term, which was originated by Bill Belichick and Michael Lombardi.   Belichick organized his game plan around the Middle Eight concept.

The Middle Eight?  That is the last four minutes of the second quarter and the first four minutes of the third quarter.

So many dramatic turns can take place during those eight minutes of a football game.  Its proponents maintain it plays a big role in the outcomes of games from week to week throughout the season.

Belichick and the Patriots managed the Middle Eight in an attempt to try to keep Peyton Manning off the field when the Patriots played the Indianapolis Colts during Manning’s prime years.

There is one study that points out that college teams that won the Middle Eight were victorious 74% of the time in the years 2014-2019.   Stats confirm that the most successful collegiate programs have great success during the Middle Eight-time frame.

Eliminate the scoring results of the Middle Eight in the Sugar Bowl and Georgia might be packing for a trip to Miami and a continuation in the playoffs.   With less than a minute to play in the second quarter, the Bulldogs gambled on a scoring objective and gave up a touchdown via fumble.

Then on the opening kickoff of the second half, Notre Dame returned the kick, as discipline dissipated—all defenders must stay in their lanes—and the Irish returned the kickoff for a touchdown.  The Dawgs shot themselves in the foot, giving up 14 critical points.

All of this is uncharacteristic of a Kirby Smart coached team.  Discipline on all fronts is a Smart hallmark.   This time, however, the Dawgs lost their discipline and it put them in a difficult position to rally and win the game.

While this is one of the most disheartening games in the Smart era—if you believe the Dawgs were good enough to have won the game—there is much to appreciate.

Namely that UGA won the state championship and will always be SEC champions.  This senior class is the winningest class in UGA history.  While it was a frustrating season, nonetheless, it was a successful year which many programs would like to have.

This Georgia team had a Jekyll and Hyde personality.  How could it beat a team like Texas twice and not rise to the occasion against Notre Dame when there was so much opportunity at hand?

Think of the bowl teams that finished the season having lost five games but are talking positively about next year.  Georgia has lost only five games in the last four years.   

The coaches who adapt and adjust will always find their way to the winner’s circle.   Bear Bryant ran the football until he signed Scott Hunter to play quarterback and then Alabama became a passing team.  Next thing you know, he is running the wishbone.

While Kirby Smart will never coach a team which does not aspire to play a winning style of defense, he knows the value of good offense and has said: “There is no question about my philosophy.  I want to score points.  I want to throw the football.  I want to do all the things you can do in college football today, emphasizing the run-pass option, getting the ball out quickly—not necessarily up-tempo, but being able to throw the ball downfield because that’s what attracts the best quarterbacks and the best receivers.  If you recruit the best quarterbacks and wide receivers, then you can win championships.”

Dealing with the loss of his dad in the aftermath of the Sugar Bowl will be an immediate emotional burden for him, but he will go through a period of bereavement and then return to coaching with a full speed ahead mantra.

He knows that is what Sonny Smart would want him to do.