Georgia’s Offensive Line Faces Crucial Test Ahead of SEC Title Clash With Alabama
Georgia may have walked away with a win over Georgia Tech, but it wasn’t exactly a confidence booster on the offensive side of the ball. The Bulldogs managed just 16 points in a sluggish performance that raised more questions than answers - especially with Alabama looming in the SEC Championship Game. And while the offense as a whole looked out of sync, the biggest concern coming out of the weekend wasn’t the scoreboard - it was the health of starting center Drew Bobo.
Bobo left the game with an injury, and the impact was immediate. Georgia’s offense, which had been moving the ball effectively early on, suddenly stalled.
Malachi Toliver stepped in at center, and while he held his own in spots, the rhythm of the offense clearly shifted. The protection up front wasn’t as clean, the run game lost its punch, and quarterback Gunner Stockton didn’t have the same level of comfort in the pocket.
Head coach Kirby Smart acknowledged that Toliver is still growing into the role but expressed confidence in the redshirt freshman’s ability to step up if needed.
“Yeah, like I said the other day, he did some good things,” Smart said. “He’s got to continue to work and improve on some others, but I was really glad he got to go in the Charlotte game and play as much as he did and get the experience of that time and continue to grow and get better.”
That experience - both in the Charlotte game earlier this season and now against Georgia Tech - could prove invaluable if Bobo isn’t able to suit up against Alabama. But make no mistake: this isn’t just another plug-and-play situation. Bobo’s presence in the middle of the line has been a stabilizing force for the Bulldogs all season, and his absence would be a significant blow.
Georgia has weathered its fair share of injuries up front this year, and the depth of the offensive line has been tested repeatedly. But Bobo’s injury feels different.
When he exited the game, the Bulldogs’ ability to open running lanes evaporated. Pass protection became more of a scramble drill than a structured scheme.
The offense, which had been moving with purpose, suddenly looked hesitant and disjointed.
Still, Smart isn’t panicking. He’s seen Toliver in practice, and he knows the young lineman has the tools to hold his own. The key will be how quickly he can apply the lessons from last week and clean up the mistakes before facing a Crimson Tide front that thrives on disruption.
Alabama’s defensive line is a different animal - faster, more physical, and far more aggressive than what Georgia Tech brought to the table. If Bobo can’t go, Toliver will need to play the best game of his young career. The margin for error shrinks significantly in a game like this, and Georgia can’t afford breakdowns in protection or missed assignments in the run game.
The best-case scenario, of course, is that Bobo recovers in time and is able to anchor the line as he has all season. But if Toliver is called upon, Smart believes he’ll be ready - and that the offense will be better prepared than it was last weekend.
For Georgia, the path to a third straight SEC title just got a little steeper. Whether it’s Bobo or Toliver snapping the ball on Saturday, the Bulldogs’ offensive line will need to rise to the occasion - because against Alabama, there won’t be much room for growing pains.