One of the best choices Kirby Smart made during his nearly ten-year tenure at Georgia was bringing on an assistant coach with no prior ties to the Bulldogs or Smart himself.

This coach, Todd Monken, introduced a vibrant and relentless offensive scheme that was both physical and innovative. It kept opposing teams guessing, due to its variety, thereby protecting Smart’s talented defense, which led to national championship success.

However, with Georgia’s recent loss to Alabama 41-34, questions arise whether Smart’s decision to replace Monken with his close friend and experienced playcaller Mike Bobo was a mistake. Given that the Bulldogs might face Alabama again in the SEC championship or the College Football Playoff, doubts linger about their offensive capabilities.

While it’s true Georgia managed to score 34 points and amassed 519 yards, the comeback that placed them ahead for a moment in the dying minutes came after they had to abandon their game plan and focus solely on passing.

A closer look reveals that the majority of Georgia’s success came late in the game when they were forced to take risks and were able to execute several key plays to get back in the game.

The game became frenetic, giving Georgia a chance to pull ahead moments before the end, despite having trailed 28-0 earlier. However, claiming this as a strong offensive performance overlooks crucial flaws.

Throughout the season, Georgia’s run game has struggled significantly. They came into this matchup ranked 39th nationally in rushing yards per carry, averaging just 3.1 yards on 26 attempts against Alabama. Quarterback Carson Beck recorded 439 passing yards and three touchdowns but also threw three interceptions—including one on Georgia’s last possession—and missed a number of key throws that one would hope a seasoned player would make after five years at the university.

What should you take into account regarding Georgia’s offense now: the stats or the errors?

This brings us back to Bobo, who previously directed the Bulldogs offense from 2007-2014 and returned to Georgia as an analyst in 2022 after several coaching stints.

Fans expressed concern when Smart chose to promote his good friend to offensive coordinator this season, and their worries proved valid. They had witnessed similar disappointments before. The phrase “Run the dang ball, Bobo” has become iconic among college football fans, reflecting their frustrations with his play calling during a time when Georgia struggled against top-tier teams.

Of course, falling behind 28-0 complicates running the ball, but what explanation is there for the 30 carries for just 102 yards against Kentucky in a 13-12 win two weeks prior? Or the 78 rushing yards on 31 carries in last season’s SEC championship game against Alabama, which Georgia needed to win for a playoff spot?

This indicates a worrying trend, a problem that will hinder the Bulldogs if they face Alabama again, as they must display the formidable offensive capabilities reminiscent of their championship seasons in 2021 and 2022.

These issues are significant within the broader context of Smart’s coaching journey, which began with skepticism about his leadership on the offensive front.

Before Smart recruited Monken from the NFL, Georgia’s offense faced heavy criticism. Though they were talented enough to overpower most defenses, they often fell short against elite opponents.

For a time, both fans and rivals questioned whether Smart was overly conservative or too committed to his defensive roots to develop an offensive strategy on par with Nick Saban. Remember, Smart had Justin Fields on his roster in 2018 but couldn’t effectively utilize him; Ryan Day had no such trouble after Fields transferred to Ohio State, becoming the Big Ten offensive player of the year twice.

All of this changed when Smart took the bold step of entrusting the entire offense to Monken. In both 2021 and 2022, Georgia ranked No. 4 in the nation in yards per play and consistently featured in the top 10 for points per game. The Bulldogs benefited from four running backs averaging five yards per carry and had an impressive ensemble of receivers. Smart focused on recruiting top-tier talent while Monken ensured they got enough touches.

After winning the second national championship, Monken returned to the NFL, while Smart rekindled a long-standing friendship.

But the situation is different now.

Beck appears to be struggling with his development and making frequent mistakes. Trevor Etienne, the Florida transfer who is receiving most of the carries, has been unable to break loose. Besides Dominic Lovett, the receivers Georgia is relying on have mostly been underwhelming.

enough to rise to the top tier of talent.

Programs that achieve success in a dominant manner, like Georgia did in 2021 and 2022, often face challenges with coaching staff turnover. However, it seemed that Smart had built such a robust structure that the specific choice of offensive coordinator wouldn’t significantly impact the team’s performance.

After observing Georgia’s performance over the first four games of this season, it’s become clear that this assumption may no longer hold true. The contributions Monken made were crucial during the team’s two championship victories. With his departure, the difference in quality is evident.

Bobo may soon lose the goodwill of Georgia fans. His long association with the program coupled with his well-documented shortcomings as a playcaller—experienced throughout his time at Georgia, South Carolina, Auburn, and Colorado State—means that patience is dwindling.

If the Bulldogs fail to meet the season’s expectations, the blame will inevitably fall on him.