JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Georgia football team has the identity the head coach wants, but SEC Network analyst Marcus Spears says that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good thing.
In fact, Spears said Friday, Kirby Smart’s offensive philosophy is “not that smart” and reminds him of the offense Les Miles ran at LSU.
“That’s who they are, that’s the identity they want to carry,” Spears said. “I’m an LSU alum, I watched it for a long time. It’s part of what we’ve watched this year, and quite frankly, been disappointed in.”
The No. 8-ranked Bulldogs play the No. 6-ranked Florida Gators at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at TIAA Bank Field with the SEC East Division lead on the line (TV: CBS).
Spears, like his counterpart Tim Tebow, believes Georgia should open things up more for quarterback Jake Fromm with the pass game.
WATCH: Tim Tebow says it’s time for Georgia offense to open up
“I believe you have a really good quarterback who can throw the ball,” Spears said. “Obviously against South Carolina you have four turnovers that will make everybody scared to really let the ball go, but I think Jake Fromm is as good as anyone in the country if you give him those opportunities.
“This offense has been vanilla, it’s been predictable, and kind of arrogant in a way, you have to adjust to what teams are doing.”
Spears said Georgia is getting ready to face the best defense they’ve seen this season, and the Gators won’t be the last team to load up the box against the SEC’s leading rushing attack.
“Teams are going to try to take away how physical your offensive line is, how good D’Andre Swift and Brian Herrien are, so you have to figure out ways around it,” Spears said. “I know there’s youth at receiver and new relationships, but if you’re a team vying to get in the College Football Playoff and the SEC Championship, you’re going to have to toss the ball around the yard a little bit.”
The Bulldogs, like the Gators, are coming off a bye week and have had time to tweak their offensive identity and modify the pass attack.
Spears said whatever the plan is, it better be ready to work right now.
“There ain’t no more time to figure out who you are, you better be who you are,” Spears said. “If you can throw it, you better throw it now, because that’s the way you can even yourself out with other teams.”
Former LSU All-American Marcus Spears
DawgNation Georgia football
Cover 4: What is the key for Georgia against Florida
Why TE Kyle Pitts is the most dangerous matchup for UGA
DB coach Charlton Warren will use Florida experience to help UGA
How Florida is start of season-ending venture
