Georgia Football: Should the Bulldogs Make a Change at Quarterback?

By Brandon Daniel @Brandon_Rant on October 2, 2014

After last week’s game against the Tennessee Volunteers, fans and pundits are seriously questioning Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Hutson Mason. His performance against the Volunteers was lackluster, and combine that with his inability to make the big play against the South Carolina Gamecocks and there aren’t many believers in the fifth-year senior quarterback.

For the last couple of seasons there has been a segment of Bulldog fans who have clamored for Mason to start, even over SEC passing leader Aaron Murray. Now, everyone is beginning to see exactly why Mason has been the backup in Athens for the past four years.

It is not all bad with Mason. He clearly knows what he is doing, is in control of the offense and the team responds to him as a leader. But it’s clear now that he has some serious physical limitations as to what he can do. Therefore, so does the Georgia offense.

With teams routinely putting eight or nine defenders in the box to try and just slow Georgia’s run game, Mason should be finding open windows to get the ball into and making plays on the outside. Teams are selling out against the run and forcing Mason to beat them. Thus far, he hasn’t been able to get the job done.

If it wasn’t for the fact that Todd Gurley and the running backs are as stellar as they are, the Bulldogs would have two losses in the SEC already. Something has got to change.

The ripcord probably shouldn’t be pulled just yet on Mason. This week against the Vanderbilt Commodores, with what should be a full complement of receivers, Mason will have the opportunity to sling the ball around and make some plays. This will be the easiest game Georgia will have for a while, and the quarterback has to get into a rhythm this week.

If Mason struggles again, floating passes and not getting the ball out on time, Mark Richt and Mike Bobo must get Brice Ramsey into the game and allow him some meaningful snaps. They need to begin operating as if the redshirt freshman needs to play now and next season. The Bulldogs have too much talent to waste it just because Mason is a good kid and hung around.

We all love the good story and I for one would love to see Mason succeed, but for all the comparisons to D.J. Shockley, a situation like his was unique and doesn’t happen as often as you’d think. Not many quarterbacks as talented as Shockley sit on the bench waiting their turn. Bulldog fans are starting to see that now.

Usually the backup is on the bench for a reason, and it’s becoming evident what that reason was for Mason as the season progresses. He has to get better; otherwise he may find himself in an all to familiar position as the backup once again.