If Nick Saban needed any more fuel for his 2019 revenge tour on college football, fans of the University of Georgia can thank Mike Griffith for his words at SEC Spring Meetings.
Griffth, a beat writer for DawgNation (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) was at Destin, Fla., in an interview with Paul Finebaum. After two heart-breaking defeats at the hand of Alabama, Griffith believes the Bulldogs have the talent, offensive line and quarterback to beat the Crimson Tide next fall.
It is understood for a reporter to compliment the coach, players and program that he or she covers; however, it is never a good thing to put out bulletin board material.
Georgia returns an experienced offensive unit in front of Jake Fromm and while it’s an early favorite to win the Joe Moore Award, Griffth took a direct shot at an Alabama front that expects to be just as elite.
“I think Georgia has a better chance of protecting Jake Fromm and keeping him healthy through an entire season than Alabama does at keep Tua healthy – especially now that Tua has realized he is mortal,” Griffith said to Finebaum.
Alabama now has its motivation for next season.
For the Tide, it returns both experience and a wealth of young talent for Kyle Flood to groom as a first-year assistant coming from the National Football League.
The duo of Jedrick Wills and Alex Leatherwood, of whom enrolled in the 2017 class with Tua Tagovailoa, will anchor the line at right and left tackle.
Chris Owens, a junior, will handle the controls from the center position and the Tide can mix and match what it needs the guard spots.
Emil Ekiyor, a redshirt freshman, had a great spring and projects as the starting left guard with Deonte Brown (NCAA violation) facing a four-game suspension. As for right guard, Alabama could go with either Matt Womack, Evan Neal (left guard too) or Darian Dalcourt.
Saban was thoroughly impressed by Neal and Dalcourt all spring.
Should it choose the five of Leatherwood, Ekiyor, Owens, Womack and Wills, the Tide would average 320.8 pounds along its front.
In the practices throughout spring, the offensive line made it difficult for defenders to affect Tagovailoa.
When it comes to the junior at quarterback, Griffith said he’s concerned about Tagovailoa’s “psyche” since the injuries he suffered last season.
“He played with that level of fearlessness, the way he was able to extend plays and make those throws,” Griffith said of Tagovailoa prior to injuries and College Football Playoff title game loss to Clemson. “He’s been caught. He’s been beaten now. It’s like when Tim Tebow went down against Kentucky. None of us thought that could happen. It happened to Tua. They caught up to him. A lot of teams will come after him now.”
He did not have his finest showing late in the 2018 season, but the native Hawaiian has been challenged by Saban to become a better leader. Tagovailoa has responded to his head coach and anticipates putting together a remarkable year.
Griffith has Georgia knocking off the Tide in the Southeastern Conference title game, but history has shown Alabama being much harder to defeat following a loss. Fall camp can’t get here soon enough for Tide fans.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
