It wouldn’t be truthful to fully blame Georgia’s loss to Alabama on Saturday night time on quarterback Stetson Bennett. However Bennett’s lackluster play definitely performed a big half.

Bennett threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns within the 41-24 loss, however accomplished simply 18 of his 40 makes an attempt and tossed three pricey interceptions. Actually, all three of his interceptions had been adopted by Alabama touchdowns on the following drives.

Bennett’s first interception got here lower than a minute into the ballgame on his third throw. Bennett, who’s generously listed at 5-foot-11, had his go tipped on the line of scrimmage by Alabama’s D.J. Dale and picked off by fellow defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe. Three performs later, Alabama opened the scoring with a 40-yard landing go by Mac Jones.

Bennett shook off the early turnover and hung in there for a lot of the primary half. He made just a few good performs, together with a pointy landing go on third-and-goal to Jermaine Burton to offer the Bulldogs the lead going into halftime.

Whereas that third-down reference to Burton was heading in the right direction, Bennett missed wide-open targets on his two earlier finish zone makes an attempt. These misses had been an indication of issues to return.

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) throughout the second half of an NCAA faculty soccer recreation, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Athens, Ga. (AP Picture/Brynn Anderson)

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Alabama closed the primary half with a area objective, reducing the Georgia result in 24-20. And within the third quarter, the Crimson Tide’s big-play offense struck when Jones discovered Jaylen Waddle behind the protection for a 90-yard go-ahead landing.

Alabama would by no means relinquish the lead. Georgia’s subsequent drive ended with Bennett’s second interception, once more deep in Alabama territory. 5 performs later, Alabama’s lead was as much as 10, 34-24.

At that time, the Georgia offense desperately wanted factors or the sport was at risk of getting out of hand. It quickly received out of hand. Bennett confirmed his better-than-advertised athleticism to evade strain, however then compelled one into site visitors for his third — and worst — interception of the night. It was a choice that just about spelled the tip of no matter comeback hopes that remained for the Bulldogs.

Saturday night time’s recreation was simply the third profession begin for Bennett, a former walk-on. He performed stable, mistake-free soccer in wins over Auburn and Tennessee, however going up towards Alabama was one other degree of competitors. If Georgia desires to win a nationwide title, that’s the extent of opponent it must deal with once more later within the 12 months — doubtlessly in a rematch with the Tide.

Is Bennett the caliber of participant that may get the job executed on the highest degree of the game? If Saturday’s efficiency was any indication, the reply isn’t any. Once more, it’s not all on Bennett. He doesn’t have wherever close to the gathering of receiver expertise that Jones did on the opposite sideline, but it surely makes you marvel if Georgia would possibly wish to take an actual have a look at the opposite quarterbacks within the depth chart. J.T. Daniels, the high-profile switch from USC, is ready within the wings.

Many assumed Daniels would get the beginning nod after Jamie Newman, one other switch, surprisingly determined to choose out. As an alternative, it was first D’Wan Mathis after which Bennett whereas Daniels continued to work again to full energy on the heels of a severe knee harm that ended his 2019 season in Week 1.

Daniels was cleared for contact just a few weeks in the past forward of the Auburn recreation, however has not seen the sphere in a Georgia uniform. He has the five-star recruiting pedigree and confirmed flashes of potential because the true freshman starter on a mediocre USC workforce again in 2018.

If Daniels’ well being is now not a hindrance, discovering a strategy to get him on the sphere might assist the Bulldogs unlock their fullest potential because the season progresses. Bennett, when coupled with the remainder of Georgia’s expertise, is sweet sufficient to beat in all probability 95 p.c of the groups within the nation. And that features prime SEC East counterpart Florida.

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However the objective for the Bulldogs is to win a nationwide championship. And that requires taking its play a step additional — one which might not be attainable towards among the high-flying offenses they must compete with to win all of it with out an improve on the quarterback place.

It’s no assure that Daniels shall be an improve, both, however Georgia’s coaches at the very least should ask themselves the query throughout the coming bye week.

– Sam Cooper

Most stunning groups up to now in 2020

Arkansas (2-2): The rent of Sam Pittman has given the Arkansas program a shot of adrenaline. The Razorbacks, from the tail finish of Bret Bielema’s period into the brief, however disastrous Chad Morris tenure, entered 2020 on a 19-game SEC dropping streak. That rapidly got here to an finish underneath Pittman. Arkansas put a scare into Georgia to open the 12 months earlier than upsetting Mississippi State, practically upsetting Auburn after which pulling out a powerful win over Ole Miss on Saturday. Within the win, Arkansas restricted the high-powered Ole Miss offense to only 21 factors whereas forcing seven turnovers. (SC)

Boston School (3-2): Boston School fell all the way down to earth a bit with Saturday night time’s 40-14 loss to Virginia Tech, however the Eagles have opened the Jeff Hafley period on a really constructive notice. BC beat Duke on the highway to open the 12 months, practically pulled off an enormous upset of North Carolina after which beat a stable Pitt workforce in extra time. These wins, plus a comeback win over Texas State, has Boston School firmly in that packed center class of the ACC. A profitable report is a really actual risk for the Eagles, and that’s not one thing many anticipated getting into the season. (SC)

BYU (5-0): It’s not all that stunning that BYU is undefeated at this level. The Cougars haven’t performed a recreation towards a ranked workforce up to now. However man, the best way that BYU is thrashing opponents is what’s stunning. A 52-point win over Navy in Week 1 wasn’t a lot of an anomaly as BYU has received 4 of its video games by 17 or extra factors. And it’s straightforward to put in writing off a seven-point win over UTSA as a look-ahead to Houston. QB Zach Wilson has positioned himself as probably the greatest draft-eligible quarterbacks as he’s accomplished over 70 p.c of his passes in every of BYU’s video games. (NB)

BYU QB Zach Wilson runs previous Houston’s Thabo Mwaniki within the second half on Oct. 16, 2020. (Tim Warner/Getty Photographs)

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Coastal Carolina (4-0): Coastal Carolina is ranked within the Related Press Prime 25 for the primary time at school historical past. The Chanticleers are No. 25 after enhancing to 4-Zero with an upset highway win over No. 21 Louisiana. It was the primary win over a ranked opponent in program historical past. CCU is the one undefeated workforce remaining within the Solar Belt and is without doubt one of the favorites to win the convention title. CCU is in simply its fourth season as an FBS program and had only a 13-23 (6-18 Solar Belt) report getting into 2020. The workforce’s sizzling begin is without doubt one of the greatest tales in faculty soccer up to now in 2020. (SC)

NC State (4-1): NC State went 4-Eight in 2019, profitable only one ACC recreation within the course of. The Wolfpack struggled mightily on offense, and there have been offseason rumblings about Dave Doeren’s job standing getting into 2020. By means of 5 video games, the Wolfpack have already matched final 12 months’s win complete. NC State improved to 4-1 by beating Duke on Saturday. It was the workforce’s third straight victory, but it surely got here at a value as QB Devin Leary went down with a severe harm. That’s a big blow headed into subsequent Saturday’s recreation at No. 14 North Carolina. (SC)

Kansas State (3-1): All of us figured Kansas State could be fairly good. However there have been few individuals who didn’t go to KSU that may have guessed that Kansas State would keep undefeated within the Massive 12 longer than each Oklahoma and Texas. The Wildcats have received three Massive 12 video games after dropping to Arkansas State to open the season however must go the remainder of the season with out QB Skylar Thompson after he suffered a season-ending harm towards Texas Tech. True freshman Will Howard began in his place towards TCU and rushed for 86 yards and a TD. However Howard must enhance as a passer if KSU will contend for a spot within the Massive 12 title recreation. (NB)

Marshall (4-0): Who’d have guessed that the Thundering Herd would have probably the greatest defenses within the nation up to now this season? Marshall is already midway to its 2019 win complete in 2020 and is outscoring opponents by over 27 factors per recreation. Marshall hasn’t allowed a workforce to attain greater than 17 factors all season and is giving up fewer than 10 factors a recreation up to now. Yeah, Western Kentucky and Japanese Kentucky have been two of these opponents, however Marshall nonetheless deserves some severe credit score. With beatable groups on the schedule the remainder of the best way, there’s an honest likelihood Marshall might go undefeated within the common season. (NB)

Who’s No. Three within the ACC?

Who’s the third-best workforce within the ACC?

Clemson and Notre Dame have separated themselves from the remainder of the convention up to now. Each groups are ranked within the prime three and are undefeated.

After that, it’s a cluster. 4 groups behind them have only one ACC loss.

Is the third-best workforce North Carolina? The Tar Heels fell to No. 14 with a loss at Florida State on Saturday. UNC had moved into the highest 5 earlier than Saturday’s recreation however fell behind 31-7 to FSU earlier than mounting a late comeback that fell brief.

North Carolina coach Mack Brown provides a thumbs up earlier than a recreation towards Virginia Tech on Oct. 10, 2020. (Andy Mead/ISI Images/Getty Photographs)

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Is the third-best workforce NC State? The Wolfpack went to 4-1 within the ACC with a win over Duke on Saturday. However Leary suffered a gnarly leg harm when his left ankle received trapped beneath him as he received hit whereas sliding. Leary suffered a fractured fibula on the play and shall be out at the very least 4 weeks. Meaning Bailey Hockman will get the beginning towards the Tar Heels on Saturday.

Is the third-best workforce Miami? The Hurricanes beat Pitt on Saturday to bounce again after dropping to Clemson. Miami is the highest-ranked workforce behind Clemson and Notre Dame at No. 11 within the AP ballot. Every of the Hurricanes’ 4 wins have come by at the very least 12 factors.

Is the third-best workforce Virginia Tech? The Hokies misplaced to UNC however simply beat Boston School on Saturday night time. VT’s speeding assault was spectacular on Saturday and Kansas switch RB Khalil Herbert has been probably the greatest operating backs within the ACC. Virginia Tech is again at full-strength after a bunch of gamers missed time due to COVID-19 constructive exams and quarantines and will simply be 6-1 earlier than taking part in Miami on Nov. 14.

If we needed to make a decide proper now we’d go together with both Miami or North Carolina, although Virginia Tech is definitely within the combine. NC State was taking part in rather well with Leary underneath heart however his absence could possibly be large. The Wolfpack play North Carolina, Miami and Florida State over their subsequent three video games. With out Leary — and based mostly on Florida State’s progress — NC State could possibly be an underdog in all of them.

— Nick Bromberg

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