Halftime Notes: Georgia leads Mississippi State 27-10

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia has a 27-10 lead over Mississippi State after two quarters of play. The Dawgs have 369 yards of total offense and 317 of that came through the air. Below, DawgsHQ shares our thoughts on the first half.

*** It’s clearly tough to figure out what’s going on with the slow starts this year because it’s something that Georgia can’t rid seem to shake. Ten points in the first quarter is good but stalling on that fourth possession when it had some momentum and having a touchdown wiped off the board was ugly. I didn’t like the play-calling at all after the fourth-down conversion.

The touchdown drive to make it a 20-10 game even had it’s own sloppiness although I do think it’s a positive that Georgia overcame it mistakes, which has been a struggle. Then Georgia kind of went on a tear in the second quarter. I guess that’s earlier than we’ve normally been seeing it.

*** I’ll start with the bad from Carson Beck. It’s taking him way too long to get things dialed in. A good throw to Ben Yurosek and Georgia has a big play. A good throw to Arian Smith and Georgia has a touchdown or at least a chance at one. He was off, then he was on and off, and then it seemed like the light came on. Georgia needs that to happen sooner.

But I also look and we’re talking about a guy who completed 27 of 34 passes for 317 yards while Georgia is averaging eight yards per play. As disjointed as it looked at times. Georgia’s offense made explosive plays in the half and Beck looks more comfortable when the Bulldogs are attacking.

*** Georgia may not have a choice on playing Nate Frazier now. Branson Robinson is out for the game and that didn’t look great although he did get off the field on his own power. He’s wearing a knee brace now. Frazier is clearly the more effective runner between the two but the ball security and pass protection issues have him playing catch up. It’s time now because he brings energy to the offense and where else is UGA going to turn?

*** I can’t really knock the receiver play today. Arian Smith had that drop early in the game and came back to make some plays before getting hurt. Dillon Bell has to see the field better with the ball in his hands. I thought he left yards on the table after the catch on two catches.

London Humphreys third-down catch in the first quarter gave the Georgia offense some juice and is a big play in this game. I agree with many members of DawgsHQ who think he needs to ball more. I’d like to see UGA utilize his ball skills with some shots to him down the field but he’s really good in the middle of the field as well.

*** The offensive line has had a bust or two but Beck has had some chances to make sandwiches back there, too. Some of Georgia’s biggest plays have been when Beck has held the football and let the receivers break things down. The penalties, though, are an issue. Georgia’s a hold away from four more points in the first half.

*** Mississippi State’s offensive line is overmatched in the run game. Georgia is dominating them up front and that should be the case. There are instances where the linebacker fits don’t matter because the defensive line is squeezing space so quickly.

*** Linebacker play has been really good. Chaz Chambliss prevented one explosive by staying home on the end around. Jalon Walker has been all over the field and Damon Wilson has flashed. He went a little too far on the roughing penalty, it was unnecessary. I understand why Kirby is upset but I could see no flag there.

*** Two hiccups from the defensive backfield is Mississippi State’s offense. Daniel Harris looked completely lost on the long connection that set up the first score. Georgia entire secondary, especially Daylen Everette, got worked on the second one. The Maroon Bulldogs are going to take more shots like that in the second half.

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