In a surprising turn of events for the Georgia Bulldogs, Kirby Smart's decision to retain offensive coordinator Mike Bobo is raising eyebrows. Just thirteen months ago, I found myself eating crow for questioning Bobo's appointment. Initially, I criticized Smart for opting to bring in his former college roommate as a replacement for the esteemed Todd Monken, especially considering Georgia's potential to attract elite talent for the offensive coordinator position.

While Bobo showed promise in leading Georgia to the fourth-best yards per play and the fifth-highest scoring offense during the previous season, his performance has seriously declined in 2024. The Bulldogs entered the year as the No. 1 team in the nation but ended the season without an appearance in the College Football Playoff semifinals, primarily due to an offense that struggled to make the top 50 in crucial metrics.

It's essential to recognize that the loss to Notre Dame wasn't entirely Bobo's fault. The team's struggles were compounded by a lack of reliable receivers who led the nation in dropped passes, and a left tackle that consistently faced pressure. However, Bobo's poor decision-making during critical moments has been hard to overlook. For instance, in a pivotal game against Notre Dame, he opted to be aggressive instead of conservative with just 39 seconds left in the half and two timeouts. This decision resulted in a fumble that handed the Irish an easy touchdown, a blunder that ultimately proved disastrous.

Bobo's offensive script has faltered, leading to a concerning statistic: the preseason No. 1 ranked team managed to hold a halftime lead in only six of twelve games against Power Conference opponents. This ineffectiveness is alarming, particularly when comparing Georgia's performance to teams with less talent, like Mississippi State, who still found ways to score early and often.

As the season unfolded, Bobo’s play-calling failed to help quarterback Carson Beck and the offense develop at a critical time. Beck's struggles mirrored those of Jake Fromm in 2019, a season that also required an introspective look from Smart that ultimately led to Monken's hiring. With Georgia’s lack of offensive improvement in key metrics and a regression in their rushing game, the questions ring louder: What has improved under Bobo’s leadership?

Meanwhile, Smart faces pressure to produce results reminiscent of earlier championship-winning seasons. Look at Ryan Day’s decisive action with Ohio State, which involved firing defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs and hiring Jim Knowles to revamp their defense. This bold move resulted in the Buckeyes boasting one of the top defenses in the nation. Smart must show similar decisiveness for a team that, just last year, had a slew of NFL draft picks and was regarded as a powerhouse.

With Georgia’s offensive line struggling, receivers losing composure, and the lack of a strategic plan, the time has come for Smart to reassess. A two-year tenure offers ample opportunities for growth and improvement, but if Bobo hasn’t proven capable of evolving the offense to meet championship expectations, it may be time for a change.

Smart's legacy as a coach could very well hinge on the moves he makes now. If he chooses to overlook the offensive shortcomings, he may soon find himself needing to apologize to Georgia fans for squandering a golden opportunity. The question remains—will Smart take the necessary steps to restore Georgia to its championship form? Only time will tell, but the pressure is certainly mounting.