How did UGA lose the SECCG?

It is easy to blame it on coaching - and I think that may be some of it - but it felt like all season UGA was just not as physical at the LOS. Teams could move them around a bit on the DL and the OL didn't create much movement in the run game. More than coaching, it seems like roster turnover was a big culprit.

Still, you really gotta scratch your head at the adjustments in-game by UGA's staff. They move right down field when Alabama was playing odd front defenses in the opening possession. Alabama goes to an even front and more split safety, UGA really struggles to find passing lanes for large chunks of the game unless Alabama busted the responsibilities. Because they weren't hitting the explosives, they got into situations where their OL needed to move bodies in short yardage but couldn't get it done.

Additionally, I get why UGA went with the drop 7/8 coverages with 1 or 2 spies on most standard downs. Unfortunately, this didn't really pay off for them because Milroe didn't throw it to them. Also, it inadvertently allowed Alabama to squeeze the UGA offense by shortening the game. Other than the 3rd quarter, Alabama succeeded in maintaining possession.

This is the 2nd SECCG in a row where UGA really approached Alabama in a perplexing way. Remember, they elected to sit back and play coverage against Young too. He proceeded to slice and dice them up while still extending plays for some back-breaking explosives. Even before the Jamo injury, it was clear that Smart decided in the 2021 season's CFPCG that they were going down playing aggressive (more single high and in your face press coverage). I don't know why he didn't make a manhood check on his DBs and decide to challenge the Alabama OL with more diverse pressures this time.

Smart is one of the best to do it but I bet nobody in the staff meeting on Sunday was very happy.