Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck has been key to coach Kirby Smart's team bouncing back from a Week 5 loss in Tuscaloosa to the Alabama Crimson Tide by beating the Texas Longhorns in Austin in Week 8. However, over the past few weeks, the Georgia quarterback has thrown several interceptions.
During the Bulldogs' narrow 34-20 win over the embattled coach Billy Napier's Florida Gators on Saturday, Beck threw three interceptions in a game where Georgia struggled for long periods.
Beck went 25 of 40 for 309 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, but he led the Bulldogs' comeback from a 13-6 halftime deficit to outscore the Gators 28-7 in the second half.
On "College Sports Now" on Wednesday, college football analyst Roddy Jones broke down the reasons for Beck's struggles, blaming part of them on his relationship with Miami Hurricanes star Hanna Cavinder.
"I think the simplest and most boring thing you can say is that I think he's lost confidence and maybe trust in what he's seeing," Jones said. "I think the second thing is, his receivers aren't as good. They're not as open, and maybe that has affected the quarterback and that could have affected the confidence and all of that.
"This could be a guy that's feeling the pressure. That guy did not feel the pressure last year necessarily. He was the underdog last year, and some guys work well as the underdog. You're replacing Stetson Bennett. How are you gonna follow that up? You gotta prove yourself. Now, he's got the Lambo, he's got the girlfriend that's famous."
Carson Beck explains interception woes
This season, Carson Beck has gone 190 of 290 (65.5%) for 2,302 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Last season, he went 302 of 417 (72.4%) for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions.
During his Florida postgame news conference, Beck talked about his increased interception numbers vis-a-vis last season.
“It’s an in-game, decision-making thing,” Carson Beck said. “There’s times where it’s OK to throw it away if it’s not there. That’s something I think I did a lot better last year. … That’s just me out there trying to compete and trying to make a play.
“No matter what, I’m going to keep coming every single play, no matter what happened on the play before. I’ve always been resilient in that way, and when the team needs me, I’m going to bring that. Obviously, I’m going to watch the film and see what I can correct. In the future, I have to be better, and that’s exactly what is going to happen.”
The Georgia Bulldogs were ranked No. 3 by the College Football Playoff committee on Tuesday and are still favorites for both a spot in the playoffs and the Southeastern Conference championship game. Carson Beck should have a huge part to play if they're to achieve those goals.
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