Pound for Pound: Turn the corner

Published 10:30 am Tuesday, November 5, 2024

With the Georgia fanbase turning on him, it’s time for Carson Beck to adopt the mindset of his predecessor.

Former walk-on, practice squad standout, and junior college transfer Stetson F. Bennett IV used fans’ disdain of him as fuel on the football field. Now – in UGA football lore, at least – those descriptors I used for Bennett take a backseat to ‘two-time national champion’ and ‘Heisman finalist’ when his name is mentioned. He took a ‘me vs. the world’ mentality and brought back-to-back national championships to Athens to end what was a 40-year drought.

Seeing as how I can’t get through a game without multiple people texting me about how bad Beck is this season, it may do No. 15 well to develop a similar chip on his shoulder and see what that does for him. For the record, I was riding with Bennett as long as the coaching staff was willing to. In Kirby I trust.

I’m taking the same attitude with Beck, even with eight interceptions in his last three games. If coaches believed they had a better option in backup Gunner Stockton, I think they would have pulled the trigger (pun not intended) by now.

Yes, Beck is absolutely forcing things. He’s waiting too long in some instances, throwing late over the middle and waiting until a pass rusher is right in his lap before letting go of the football, as was the case on that last pick versus Florida Saturday.

From my point of view, Beck has been inside his own head a bit ever since the Alabama game. He’s seeing ghosts that aren’t there and not taking heed of the ones that are. It’s been tough to watch.

But you know what hasn’t been tough to watch? Coming back in Tuscaloosa to make that a game against Alabama, winning decisively at Texas, and putting a rough first half in the rearview mirror to make it four wins in a row and seven of the last eight versus Florida. Game results matter.

Will more consistent quarterback play be needed to net Georgia another national championship? Most likely, but I don’t think anyone could say that with any certainty given what’s happened thus far. But for the sake of my text message inbox, Mr. Beck, find it within yourself to turn this corner. Follow the example of Stetson Bennett.

Maybe skip the drunken ramblings outside of strangers’ houses during draft prep, though.