Every week, Eleven Warriors dives into the mentions of Ohio State's coaches and players to bring you the #HotTakes and ramblings of Buckeye Nation. This week, we're using the bye to highlight the profound sadness Georgia fans experienced this weekend.
The Bulldogs were ranked No. 3 and in control of their playoff destiny when they hosted a 2-3 South Carolina team Saturday afternoon. Led by quarterback Jake Fromm and a strong defense, Georgia was a three-touchdown favorite heading into the contest.
It was supposed to be a formality.
The Gamecocks had different plans, however. Despite tallying just 297 yards of total offense, South Carolina forced four turnovers and limited the Bulldogs offense to secure a 20-17 upset win in double overtime.
Fromm had a particularly rough day, completing just 28-of-51 passes for 295 yards to complement one touchdown and a career-high three interceptions.
It was the kind of performance that prompts the inevitable call for the backup from native fans, but Georgia's in a unique situation. Last year, that backup would've been Justin Fields. This year, it is decidedly not Fields.
That's because head coach Kirby Smart favored Fromm over Fields, letting the latter enter the transfer portal and leave his home-state. Fields, as you well know, made Ohio State his new home, gained immediate eligibility and is currently on pace to tally 52 regular-season touchdowns while leading a dominant Buckeyes team.
That was bothering Georgia fans leading up to this weekend. During the loss to South Carolina, those fans showed up like a tsunami in Fields' Twitter mentions.
Let's dive in.
@ Justin Fields
I really hate that Justin Fields left my #Dawgs! His gave them another weapon! We miss you @justnfields!!!#DawgNation
— E. Dewey Smith (@edeweysmith) October 12, 2019
Regroup??? Yea lets regroup @justnfields bring ya ass back home
— All Ready (@MrAllready_OBM) October 12, 2019
know I shouldnt say it but @CoachColey @KirbySmartUGA this why we should have kept @justnfields point blank. I know Fromm is the man but #1 extends the play on those well defended plays. Jake is ONLY a pocket passer. Yall gotta get creative with the play book predictability
— Trevor Mead (@Trevor_Mead) October 12, 2019
Hi @justnfields
— InspyreKai(1-4)(5-1) (@Riseup4031) October 12, 2019
Come back @justnfields
— tequila bird (@HeavyxSigh) October 12, 2019
You up? @justnfields
— Max (@maxipad52) October 12, 2019
Dear Justin Fields, we are sorry. We need you badly!!! Kirby was caught up in the moment and didnt realize his mistakes. On behalf of DawgNation please come back @justnfields
— DJasper Probincrux (@JDoaty) October 12, 2019
Soooo do Georgia fans still think Jake Fromm is better than @justnfields
— Nathan Whisman (@WhismanNS) October 12, 2019
Even after this game, I've seen a few Georgia fans make this argument. Denial is a hell of a drug.
I love Justin fields but I still think Jake Fromm is better
— Tony Ramsier (@RamsierTony) October 13, 2019
See what I mean?
Aight. Im gonna be the one to say it. @justnfields, I miss you
— Duval Duval Duval (@DirtyDuvalDawg) October 12, 2019
You're not the only one saying it my dude.
@justnfields on my behalf of UGA, Im sorry. Please come back
— Impeaches and Cream (@JayBay4_) October 12, 2019
@justnfields please come back i miss you man i tried to tell dese folks
— KellKeez (@_KEEZYSOSA) October 12, 2019
The entire state is wishing @justnfields was the UGA QB why lord why
— Tre Beck (@trebeck22) October 12, 2019
KIRBY & The Offensive Coordinator were absolutely OFFENSIVE today!!!! Lost to South Carolina IN ATHENS!!!!!@KirkHerbstreit was RIGHT about us! Lastly, @justnfields should be the UGA QB!! #FinalStatement@UGAfootballLive #Dawgs
— E. Dewey Smith (@edeweysmith) October 12, 2019
@justnfields We sorry bro. Come back
— Ben Simmons Fan Account (@beefykobes) October 12, 2019
Hey @justnfields you wanna come back to uga please asking for a friend.
— gage sistare (@GageSistare) October 12, 2019
How does it FIELDS???@OhioStateFB @justnfields https://t.co/PLZ6DseUS7
— Rolando A Berrios (@rolandoAberrios) October 12, 2019
I bet @justnfields wouldnt of lost that game
— Ted Atwell (@Atwell216) October 12, 2019
The coaching staff is exposed. Top 5 recruiting classes but cant deliver top 5 game day coaching decisions or QB play. They let the wrong QB stay on the roster. We miss you @justnfields
— Is Asher (@is_asher) October 12, 2019
@justnfields right now pic.twitter.com/SooSlij7eU
— Austin Gundrum (@austin_gundrum) October 12, 2019
Come back were sorry @justnfields
— Jake (@JApple8) October 12, 2019
told yall bro goated @justnfields https://t.co/qBFkJuqusB
— Jd Labissiere (@JayG1400) October 12, 2019
Justin Fields and Jacob Eason watching Georgia right now.pic.twitter.com/WWaSdkkmMo
— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick3) October 12, 2019
Justin Fields right now pic.twitter.com/x2zXW7rIEa
— Herb Kirkstreit (@THE_OSU) October 12, 2019
Imagine if Georgia ever got a QB like Justin Fields.
— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick3) October 12, 2019
Know it seems far-fetched, but I could just picture him in that Bulldog uniform.
@ Georgia fans that said Jake Fromm was better than Justin Fields pic.twitter.com/lZyb7eucAZ
— Pissed off Michigan Fan (@Ryan_Semm) October 12, 2019
I don't want it to ever be discussed again.
— InspyreKai(1-4)(5-1) (@Riseup4031) October 12, 2019
Leaving Justin Fields on the bench was the biggest mistake in Georgia History.
Jake Fromm is not better than Justin Fields, never was in high school, never was in college, and never going to be in the NFL.
Let the debate end here.
Justin Fields right now on his bye week looking at the UGA score #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/L0IPrjdAAZ
— THE Bunch of Nuts Podcast (@bunch_nuts) October 12, 2019
Jake Fromm is the better QB at Georgia
— CleWest (@erjmanlasvegas) October 6, 2019
Justin Fields arrives at Ohio State:pic.twitter.com/gQfoFWIjVl
Justin Fields watching Georgia lose to South Carolina like: pic.twitter.com/dvk1m5jMfl
— Temporary Astros Fan (@BoTilly) October 13, 2019
Alright y'all, we'll see you next week.
