Lincoln Riley isn’t wrong about Georgia
Georgia fans are mad online in the worst way possible.
Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley set Twitter ablaze this week … oh sorry, ***nearly every media outlet took a Lincoln Riley quote out of context*** and set Twitter ablaze this week.
Riley said in so many words that Georgia wouldn’t be a top-5 defense in the country every year if the Bulldogs played in the Big 12.
Here’s the thing about that “bold” statement:
In fact, Georgia wouldn’t even be a top-5 defense in the country every year in the SEC.
Georgia’s has finished top 5 nationally in total defense ONCE in the last decade.
Let me repeat that: GEORGIA GETS TO PLAY AGAINST THE CHAD KELLY AND DANNY ETLINGS OF THE WORLD 8 TIMES A SEASON PLUS AN FCS TEAM WILLING TO TAKE A CHECK FOR A 50-POINT LOSS AND ISN’T EVEN TOP 5 MORE THAN ONCE IN DEFENSE IN A 10-YEAR SPAN.
Okay, okay. I’ll concede the SEC has produced some great tailbacks. Missouri and Auburn’s offenses are probably equipped to go head to head with the Big 12. And Georgia objectively has a great defense.
The notion that Riley’s comment is a bold statement, however, is absurd.
There is a reason other conferences have struggled recently playing against the Big 12 during bowl season.
It’s not easy game planning for an Oklahoma- or Oklahoma State-type offense. Now imagine game planning for a similar offense for nine-consecutive weeks.
I’m not saying everyone is as good as OU or the Pokes, but even Kansas State can drop 30+ on a team every now and then.
The nature of the Big 12 is you’re putting a lot of miles on those defensive players. All of that wear and tear adds up and eventually you’re going to let your guard down and give up a big play.
Despite Oklahoma’s recent string of success as conference champions, it’s never felt like the Sooners have run away with a Big 12 title. One back-breaking play can go your way or against you. And Georgia saw plenty of back-breaking plays that probably should’ve ended their season.
The Bulldogs managed to squeeze out a win in the Rose Bowl. So, of course, Georgia fans are going to tell Riley to shut up until “he wins something.”
If recruiting has taught us anything, it probably won’t be long before Riley meets an SEC team on a big stage again.
