Injuries impacting Mike Bobo's play-calling, Georgia's offensive balance

Coming out of the Auburn game, Georgia still appears to be having a little bit of an identity crisis on offense, unsure what it’s real strength is when it comes to the unit. Does offensive coordinator Mike Bobo need to adjust his play-calling?

Some of the play-calling has been forced on the Georgia coach by injuries up front on the offensive line and at running back. Still, the Bulldogs don’t always appear to be playing to their strengths.

“They’re a little banged up on the offensive line with having to move some pieces around, and they’re a better pass-protection team than they are a run-blocking team, at least on a consistent basis,” DawgsHQ’s Jake Rowe said on the Andy Staples On3 show.

Overall Georgia’s offense ranks relatively high.

The Bulldogs have the nation’s No. 15 scoring offense and No. 16 total offense. But the rushing attack is ranked No. 76 overall. Georgia hasn’t been able to rely on it quite like it has in the past.

“I think the consistency for Georgia is really lacking in the run game right now because they’re having to rely on Daijun Edwards, who I think is a fine SEC back, and a converted wide receiver,” Rowe said.

Injuries have precluded Georgia from having a deeper rotation or a more competent lead back, such that the onus has often fallen on quarterback Carson Beck in the passing game. That’s not necessarily a Mike Bobo issue.

“I think if they can get healthy at running back to the point that Kendall Milton is the Kendall Milton they got for the final five to six games last year — which, that’s not a given, Kendall has battled injuries his entire career — get Roderick Robinson back, get Andrew Paul up to speed, I think that’s going to help the run game out a lot,” Rowe said. “Because I think Daijun is carrying a lot of the load. I mean he’s got 19 or more carries in two of his three starts this year, so they’re leaning on him a lot. It’s not like, ball ain’t heavy, as Herschel (Walker) said, it’s not like he’s wearing out. But I think that will help out the offense a lot.”

As it stands, Georgia has thrown the ball 181 times this year, while running it 168 times. That balance would seem to suggest Mike Bobo is aware of some of the issues he’s facing in the run game.

Still, Rowe would like to see a little bit more of a shift to the passing game.

“I think this is a throw to set up the run type of team,” he said.