What's wrong with Carson Beck? Kirby Smart, Billy Napier weigh in

The Georgia Bulldogs had a 30-15 win at No. 1 Texas their last time out, but it was not behind the play of Carson Beck. The redshirt senior had his worst performance as UGA’s starter with a quarterback rating of 77.3, by far his lowest in the past two years.

Beck threw three interceptions for the second time this season, finishing with 175 passing yards, no touchdowns and a 56.5 completion percentage. After the game, he was candid about his struggles against the Longhorns.

“Oh man, I was just off it felt like the entire game. I think the fourth quarter it really started to kick in for the most part, but, I mean, I was just off,” Beck said postgame. “I can control what I can control, and I’ve got to go back and watch film, and I’ve got to get better.

“I’ve got to be better for this team. And, you know, it’s a great day that our defense, you know, showed up the way that they did, considering, I mean, the way that I played.”

After no picks through the first three weeks, Beck has eight interceptions in the last four games. That’s already more than he threw in all of last season (six).

Georgia coach Kirby Smart was asked Monday how he answers people when they ask, ‘What’s wrong with Carson Beck?’

“Yeah, I don’t answer it, because I don’t think anything’s wrong with him. He hasn’t played perfect, but nobody does,” Smart responded.

“I’m very comfortable with where Carson is in terms of his leadership, his practice habits, the things we’re asking him to do. I think he’s doing a good job of those.”

Florida coach Billy Napier sides with Smart. When asked about Beck’s “up-and-down” performance this season, Napier dismissed that notion.

“We don’t buy into that narrative,” he said. “This guy is elite. He’s an elite quarterback. Been fantastic throughout his career. Really seen a lot of football. Their practice environment, number of variables he’s seen from a front pressure coverage standpoint.

“And he’s a big, tall, athletic guy that can throw it all over the park. Any player that you play you have to anticipate them being at their best, so he’s highly regarded for a reason.”

Beck has still thrown for almost 2,000 yards this season (1,993), ranking third in the SEC and 13th nationally in yards per game (284.7). His 15 passing touchdowns are tied for second in the league with Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart.

Beck also has a pair of 400-yard games in 2024 and had one of his five 300-yard games last year against the Florida Gators, throwing for 315 yards with two touchdowns and no picks in Georgia’s 43-20 win.

Smart doesn’t subscribe to Beck’s “off” comments regarding his performance at Texas.

“I think he’s gonna own that regardless. If you ask a kid that, they’re gonna say that he does need to play better,” Smart said. “We need to coach better, we need to execute better. We need the people around him to play better. That’s the ownership that a quarterback takes, and I wouldn’t expect him to answer any questions like that any other way.”

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