By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Even with the unprecedented success of his offenses, Mike Bobo’s toughest competition, in some respects, continues to be his own fan base.

One-third of the way through the regular season, Georgia has already faced three teams ranked in the national top ten. In those high-profile pairings, meetings with Clemson, South Carolina and LSU, the Bulldogs are averaging a staggering 40 points and 525 yards per game. Despite their defense allowing at least 30 points in each of those contests, Georgia went 2-1 against a trio of teams who each entered the year with legitimate championship expectations. Off weeks, for the Bulldogs, have been hard to come by; points, for offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, have not.

Even with the unprecedented success of his offenses, Bobo’s toughest competition, in some respects, continues to be his own fan base.

“If you coach or play at the University of Georgia, standards are high. You anticipate that, you understand that, you actually appreciate that,” explained former All-SEC UGA lineman Jon Stinchcomb on the Southern Pigskin Radio Network. “But with that comes some undue criticism at times.”

Considering his deep ties to the program and the state, it’s difficult to explain why some have never accepted Bobo nor fully acknowledged all that he has done. A native of Thomasville in deep south Georgia, Bobo played quarterback at UGA from 1994-1997 and set a number of school records. As a senior, he threw for 2,751 yards, 19 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He was named MVP of the 1998 Outback Bowl. Bobo’s final two years under center, the Bulldogs won 19 games.

Following his playing career, Bobo went right into coaching; 15 of his 16 seasons on the sidelines have been spent in Athens. Bobo has served as an administrative assistant, graduate assistant, quarterbacks coach and coordinator at UGA, a professional progression that mirrors the academic and athletic evolution he went through nearly two decades ago at the very same place. Having been at Georgia as a player or coach for nearly half of his life, Bobo’s tenure sprawls out like Broad Street near North Campus. Quite frankly, he’s a local tradition. Check his drink, you’ll find sugar in his tea. Check his boots, they’re covered in clay. Check his resume, the numbers keep the marching band busy.

So far this season, game three against North Texas included, the Bulldogs undoubtedly boast one of the most dynamic offenses in all of college football. Mirroring their spot in the national polls, Georgia is currently sixth in the country with 554 yards per game. Of the five teams in front of them, four have played an FCS school as one of their September opponents. Only Texas A&M has faced a team ranked currently ranked in the national top 25. As mentioned above, UGA has already played three.

In their worst offensive showing this year, Georgia scored 35 points in a season-opening loss to Clemson. For point of reference, that is over a touchdown, two-point conversion and a field goal more than rival Florida averages per game. In their best outing, the Bulldogs blew by the Mean Green for 45 points and 641 total yards. While impressive, such production was far from matching the school record — 713 yards compiled, under Bobo, versus Florida Atlantic last fall.

Rewriting the history books wasn’t just a single-game occurrence for the Bulldogs in 2012. Georgia set new school records for points, yards and first downs in a single season, falling mere yards short of an improbable SEC Championship Game victory and a berth in the BCS National Championship Game along the way. Out of 14 games played, Georgia scored at least 37 points in ten of them. Bobo’s offense produced a 3,800 yard passer, a 1,300-yard rusher and a 950-yard receiver. Murray finished second nationally, behind only Alabama’s A.J. McCarron, with a passer rating of 174.8. Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, considering by some the best college player ever, never had a number that high.

The balance of Georgia’s attack continues to be remarkable. The Bulldogs, even with their schedule, have scored at least one touchdown in each of their 16 quarters. Bobo has kept his counterparts guessing as Georgia has registered eleven touchdowns passing and ten touchdowns rushing. Murray, even with top receiver Malcolm Mitchell out for the year, has the 4th best passer rating in all of college football. Despite his injuries, running back Todd Gurley ranks third in the SEC in rushing yards per game. Receiver Justin Scott-Wesley is second in the division in yards per catch.

Opponents are struggling to find an offensive weakness. The demand from some, however, continues to be for more.

“One of the best things about the Georgia fan base is that the expectations are for national championships and national relevancy, not just regional. That is a good thing,” Stinchcomb continued. “Coach Bobo and really the entire staff, they embody what they are coaching over there and that is not really listening to what is going on outside, focusing on what is going on in the building, what you can work on and where you can improve.”

Under Bobo’s watch, eight years including this fall, the Bulldogs have averaged at least 31 points per game six times. With the toughest stretch of their 2013 schedule behind them, Georgia’s offense has totaled 2,216 yards through four games this season, good for 554 yards per game. Texas A&M’s historic attack set a new conference record a year ago with 558.5 yards per game, breaking Florida’s 1995 mark of 534.4. As Georgia chases another league title, more records are sure to fall along the way.

Murray, a Bobo protege, will soon be the SEC’s all-time leader in career total offense, passing yards, passing touchdowns and completions. David Greene, who currently holds the career passing yardage record Murray will most likely own, was also coached by Bobo. Throw in first-team All-SEC signal caller D.J. Shockley and Matthew Stafford, the number one overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, and Bobo’s list of pupils is as impressive as any.

There are those who critique Bobo’s current efforts and others who point to inconsistencies of the past. At least a portion of the fanbase, perhaps a vocal minority, seems unhappy with the offensive play-calling regardless of result. In Athens, Bobo is viewed a number of different ways. Around the rest of college football, he’s seen as one of the best at his job in the game and a viable head coaching candidate for openings in the future.

“I think coach Bobo has done a great job of not really listening to all of the critics and what some folks have had to say,” Stinchcomb concluded.

A former team captain on the field, Bobo is now leading Georgia forward from the booth. The points, the production, a commitment that’s true and time-honored, it’s all there. A proper appreciation for all that he’s done, for some reason, still doesn’t seem to be.