What I Know, What I Think, What I Wonder — Peach Bowl Preview Edition

I know that the way Kirby Smart is speaking about Ladd McConkey, it sure seems like he’s not going to play. And not because Smart has said he’s doubtful, but instead has said that he’s hopeful. After hearing Ryan Day use those words earlier this season regarding Jaxon Smith-Njigba, that’s essentially the dreaded vote of confidence from the GM.

I think even if Ladd McConkey plays, he’s not going to be 100%. So either they throw him out there or they go with somebody else who isn’t as effective. AD Mitchell is a guy who has all kinds of potential but is slowly returning from injury himself. And speaking with UGA folks, they don’t have a whole lot of faith in Mitchell’s ability to be a consistent guy in this game.

I wonder how consistent somebody needs to be, however, to just catch three passes for 100 yards? The Buckeyes are still going to need to cover and tackle. And not lose sight of the receivers when they’re also trying to sneak a peek at the quarterback.

I know that if a coverage is busted, you can’t expect wide receiver inconsistency to bail you out.

I think this should actually be a fair fight for the Ohio State cornerbacks, and it’s time they won one. The Georgia receivers are all highly recruited, and they’ve got a super-fast dude in Arian Smith, but he has just three catches this season. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint should be a familiar name for Buckeye recruiting followers, and he’s solid. But he’s just solid. The potential is there but only so much has been seen.

I wonder if Georgia’s receivers are as good as Michigan’s. There’s a reason Kirby Smart has already gone to the portal for two receivers for next season.

I know the Michigan game was good practice for quarterback containment. JJ McCarthy broke contain a time or three and made the Buckeyes pay on defense. When they have an opportunity to bring Stetson Bennett down, they have to do it. The defensive line is the first piece of pass defense, and they could provide the ultimate shield for busted coverages by simply not allowing a throw at all.

I think Jim Knowles can maybe borrow a quote from Thomas Edison in the lead-up to this game and tell his defense that they have not failed, they’ve just found 10,000 ways to defend a team that didn’t work.

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