There is no way to down play the significance of Georgia’s game tomorrow with Arkansas. There is a worried feeling around the program right now, and a loss between the hedges will put even more pressure on a young team that is still trying to find their way.
Mark Richt is a very good coach, but he is cursed with having to coach in the toughest conference in America against two of the 3 best coaches in America (Saben and Meyer). He is a great person who has done nothing in his personal life to bring anything but pride to the University of Georgia. He has won two SEC titles and finished has multiple top 5 finishes on his record in his 9 years at Georgia.
All of the positives that Richt brings to the table have been overshadowed over the past few seasons in Athens. Despite a fantastic finish to the 2007 season, Georgia has fallen off the map nationally and now come in to tomorrow’s game as a slim home favorite over Arkansas.
Arkansas.
A loss on Saturday will put many in the Bulldog Nation on the fence about Richt as the coach that can bring the big one to Athens. Let there be no doubt, the goal at Georgia should be to win the title. I’m not saying that we should win the title this year, but I am saying that the ultimate goal for the program has to be winning it all, and right now, you have to wonder if we are on the right track.
I think tomorrow is going to be a great day to be a Georgia Bulldog, so let’s start making some room on the band-wagon for everyone who bailed on this team after last week’s performance. I believe that after tomorrow’s win, Georgia will win their next 5 games, and show up to play Florida in Jacksonville as the higher ranked team. I know it seems like a pipe dream right now, but understand that this team is no different than they were last Friday, when we all believed.
Aaron Murray his going to have a huge day tomorrow, Washaun Ealey is going to remind us why we were ready to compare him to Moreno last year, Grantham’s defense is going to put up a good effort against a great offense, and Georgia is going to take the first step back to national significance by sending Petrino’s Pigs back west with the first of back to back losses (Arkansas plays Alabama next week).
This is the only game I’m going to preview this week, because as a Dawg fan, this is the only game that matters.
Keep an eye on Georgia’s young quarterback tomorrow, and compare his attitude and demeanor to that of Ryan Mallot, the Arkansas quarterback.
Keep an eye on Mark Richt, and realize the kind of man and leader we have at Georgia. Compare that to Bobby Petrino, who is a win at all cost, me first type of coach.
And after Georgia does away with the Razorbacks, keep an eye on Auburn, Alabama tomorrow night, when the Tigers take on South Carolina. A Gamecock loss puts Georgia right back in position to make it to Atlanta.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
South Carolina Aftermath
Georgia v. South Carolina
Obviously, it was a disappointing SEC opener for the Bulldogs in Columbia. While I truly believe there is no shame in losing on the road to a good team like South Carolina, the way Georgia lost was very frustrating. However, its still early in the season, so let’s be positive and start this week’s recap with the good things that happened against South Carolina.
The Good:
-In my mind, the best thing I saw on Saturday was an impressive performance from Aaron Murray. Murray used his legs effectively and threw the ball with confidence in his first road game as Georgia quarterback. Murray seemed to work through his progressions, and find the open man many times during the game, and never threw a ball into double coverage. He seems to understand the offense and the routes his receivers are running. I believe we are going to see Murray improve week to week this season, and as he does, Georgia will become a very strong team offensively.
- Mark Richt’s teams have been excellent at being poised, and Saturday was no different. At no time did it seem that Georgia panicked. There are going to be more times throughout the season when Georgia falls behind, and when they do they need to show the same type poise they showed against South Carolina.
- Penalties: There has been much written and discussed over the past two seasons about Georgia’s penalty problems. Georgia did well in the first game of the season by limiting their penalties and they continued to do well on Saturday. Georgia was penalized only four times for 25 yards. Even though Georgia has some unfortunate timing on the penalties they did have, at least there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel we have been in over the past two seasons.
The Bad:
- TACKLING!!!!: I believe Marcus Lattimore will be making a lot of defenses look bad this season. However, Georgia has to improve on their tackling. Too many times, you saw Georgia defensive players throwing shoulders into Lattimore, only to see the big running back keep his legs moving and gain more yards. If Georgia’s defense doesn’t spend a lot of time this week working on tackling, we could see 50 points on the board this Saturday when Arkansas comes to town.
- Clock Management: There is no reason that Georgia should have taken their final timeout of the game with seven minutes left in the third quarter. Coach Richt and Coach Grantham need to do whatever it takes to manage the game better from the sideline. When you are playing close games in the SEC, like Georgia will be playing throughout the season, timeouts are golden.
- Conservative game plan: After the game, Mark Richt admitted that the offensive coaches were going to have to take the training wheels off of the offense and see what Aaron Murray can do. The game plan was obviously to run the ball and try to throw off of play action, however, the Georgia running game was inconsistent, and Murray did not have enough opportunities to throw the ball, especially in the first half. Georgia can’t abandon the run, but teams are going to attempt to take the run game away from the Dawgs and dare Aaron Murray to beat them. From what I have seen so far, I believe he can beat any team on Georgia’s schedule this season, so Georgia will have to become more aggressive with the passing game.
- Drew Butler: Butler won the Ray Guy award as the best punter in the nation last season, but he did not have a good game on Saturday. Butler averaged only 42 yards per punt on Saturday, and Georgia struggled with field position for the entire fourth quarter. Special teams were a strength for this team last season, and they will be key if Georgia is going to make it to a New Year’s Day bowl game.
- ESPN 2: I can’t remember watching a Georgia game when the broadcast was as bad as it was on Saturday. The camera guys were always chasing the play. The announcers didn’t seem to be watching the game half of the time, and when they were, they didn’t add anything to the game. They never said why Caleb King was not playing, or even noticed that he did not play. Here’s to hoping we can avoid this crew again.
So where are we now? Georgia can still have a great season. That is right, I said great. It all starts with Arkansas this weekend. The Razorbacks are coming to Athens ranked in the top 15. A win would give the team confidence, going into a softer part of the schedule. Arkansas will most likely be looking ahead a bit as they have a chance to knock off the #1 Crimson Tide at home the week after the Georgia game. Also, Arkansas was off this past weekend, so they could be a little rusty with only one game played so far in the season.
A win against Arkansas would get Georgia back over .500 as they go on the road for two weeks against inferior opponents. If you are coming to Athens on Saturday, get here early, be loud at kickoff, and help get the Dawgs back on the right track!
P.S.
If you are one of the fair weather idiots who are now talking about firing Mark Richt, benching Washaun Ealey, or abandoning the 3-4 defense please go to your local sporting goods store and purchase all of the Georgia Tech gear they have because the Bulldog Nation doesn’t have room for people like you. If you want to know what I’m talking about, read the comments on ajc.com. These people don’t know football and can’t spell loyalty.
Obviously, it was a disappointing SEC opener for the Bulldogs in Columbia. While I truly believe there is no shame in losing on the road to a good team like South Carolina, the way Georgia lost was very frustrating. However, its still early in the season, so let’s be positive and start this week’s recap with the good things that happened against South Carolina.
The Good:
-In my mind, the best thing I saw on Saturday was an impressive performance from Aaron Murray. Murray used his legs effectively and threw the ball with confidence in his first road game as Georgia quarterback. Murray seemed to work through his progressions, and find the open man many times during the game, and never threw a ball into double coverage. He seems to understand the offense and the routes his receivers are running. I believe we are going to see Murray improve week to week this season, and as he does, Georgia will become a very strong team offensively.
- Mark Richt’s teams have been excellent at being poised, and Saturday was no different. At no time did it seem that Georgia panicked. There are going to be more times throughout the season when Georgia falls behind, and when they do they need to show the same type poise they showed against South Carolina.
- Penalties: There has been much written and discussed over the past two seasons about Georgia’s penalty problems. Georgia did well in the first game of the season by limiting their penalties and they continued to do well on Saturday. Georgia was penalized only four times for 25 yards. Even though Georgia has some unfortunate timing on the penalties they did have, at least there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel we have been in over the past two seasons.
The Bad:
- TACKLING!!!!: I believe Marcus Lattimore will be making a lot of defenses look bad this season. However, Georgia has to improve on their tackling. Too many times, you saw Georgia defensive players throwing shoulders into Lattimore, only to see the big running back keep his legs moving and gain more yards. If Georgia’s defense doesn’t spend a lot of time this week working on tackling, we could see 50 points on the board this Saturday when Arkansas comes to town.
- Clock Management: There is no reason that Georgia should have taken their final timeout of the game with seven minutes left in the third quarter. Coach Richt and Coach Grantham need to do whatever it takes to manage the game better from the sideline. When you are playing close games in the SEC, like Georgia will be playing throughout the season, timeouts are golden.
- Conservative game plan: After the game, Mark Richt admitted that the offensive coaches were going to have to take the training wheels off of the offense and see what Aaron Murray can do. The game plan was obviously to run the ball and try to throw off of play action, however, the Georgia running game was inconsistent, and Murray did not have enough opportunities to throw the ball, especially in the first half. Georgia can’t abandon the run, but teams are going to attempt to take the run game away from the Dawgs and dare Aaron Murray to beat them. From what I have seen so far, I believe he can beat any team on Georgia’s schedule this season, so Georgia will have to become more aggressive with the passing game.
- Drew Butler: Butler won the Ray Guy award as the best punter in the nation last season, but he did not have a good game on Saturday. Butler averaged only 42 yards per punt on Saturday, and Georgia struggled with field position for the entire fourth quarter. Special teams were a strength for this team last season, and they will be key if Georgia is going to make it to a New Year’s Day bowl game.
- ESPN 2: I can’t remember watching a Georgia game when the broadcast was as bad as it was on Saturday. The camera guys were always chasing the play. The announcers didn’t seem to be watching the game half of the time, and when they were, they didn’t add anything to the game. They never said why Caleb King was not playing, or even noticed that he did not play. Here’s to hoping we can avoid this crew again.
So where are we now? Georgia can still have a great season. That is right, I said great. It all starts with Arkansas this weekend. The Razorbacks are coming to Athens ranked in the top 15. A win would give the team confidence, going into a softer part of the schedule. Arkansas will most likely be looking ahead a bit as they have a chance to knock off the #1 Crimson Tide at home the week after the Georgia game. Also, Arkansas was off this past weekend, so they could be a little rusty with only one game played so far in the season.
A win against Arkansas would get Georgia back over .500 as they go on the road for two weeks against inferior opponents. If you are coming to Athens on Saturday, get here early, be loud at kickoff, and help get the Dawgs back on the right track!
P.S.
If you are one of the fair weather idiots who are now talking about firing Mark Richt, benching Washaun Ealey, or abandoning the 3-4 defense please go to your local sporting goods store and purchase all of the Georgia Tech gear they have because the Bulldog Nation doesn’t have room for people like you. If you want to know what I’m talking about, read the comments on ajc.com. These people don’t know football and can’t spell loyalty.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Week 2 Preview
Week Two Preview:
After some good games last week, college football is in full swing for week 2. We have rivalries heating up in the SEC, and some national championship rematches. You can start your day at Noon and watch great games until 10 pm on Saturday!
Georgia v. South Carolina 12:00 pm ESPN 2
The AJ Green suspension has most Georgia fans thinking that it is not going to be a good day in Columbia. Personally, I think the suspension will help the Dawgs. I didn’t see this game going Georgia’s way before the season, and I still think it will be an upset if the Dawgs win, but I think that the suspension will pull this team together.
Before we get to the game, a word about the suspension. Green knew what he was doing was against NCAA rules. He apologized in a statement and repaid the money. Now he has to do the time. You can’t fault the NCAA for making this decision. There are going to be more suspensions coming in the next few days and weeks for other high-profile programs, at least now the coaches, players, and fans know that Green will be out until the Colorado game.
Now to the on-field matters.
Georgia usually beats South Carolina. In the Richt era, Georgia has only lost to the Gamecocks twice, and one of those times was in Richt’s first SEC game in 2001.
South Carolina looked very good against Southern Mississippi last Thursday night, and they will have a few extra days of rest because of the early game last week, but, Georgia isn’t Southern Mississippi.
South Carolina will feature a veteran quarterback in Stephen Garcia as well as a young prodigy in Connor Shaw. In Garcia, you know what you are going to get. He is going to make some plays, and he has the ability to move around in the pocket and even scramble when pressure is applied. When he is given time, he can pick a defense apart. However, if you saw the game against Southern Miss you know that he doesn’t respond well to pressure. He takes his eyes off of the receivers too early and starts trying to run. If Georgia can get in Garcia’s face, they might force him into some mistakes. Mistakes are the other thing you know you are going to get with Garcia. He threw 10 INT’s last season, and some of them came at the worst possible times. Look for South Carolina to try to establish the run with freshman running back Marcus Lattimore. The ESPN guys loved talking about how Lattimore was running over the Southern Miss defenders, but I think he will have a harder time with the Dawgs defense.
For Georgia it is all about two things: No mistakes from Aaron Murray and keep that defense aggressive. Murray looked extremely poised last Saturday between the hedges, but he has never been in an environment like the one he will see Saturday at Noon. Murray does not have to win the game, but he cannot lose it either. If Murray does not throw an interception, Georgia will win the game.
The biggest key to the game in my opinion is Georgia’s defense. They looked great against lowly Louisiana Lafayette, but what will they be able to do against a legitimate offense. Spurrier is a genius, and if there are holes in the defense, he will find them. Georgia has to figure out a way to stop the passing game of South Carolina. Alshon Jeffery (6-4), Jason Barnes (6-4), and Ace Sanders (5-7) are three great receivers and two of them have the size that will make them almost impossible to cover. If Georgia puts pressure on Garcia, which they have to, it will leave our cornerbacks going one on one with these huge receivers.
I think Georgia will come into Williams-Bryce Stadium on Saturday, arm and arm with an “us against the world mentality.” I think 80,000 people are going to boo this young Georgia team and I don’t think they are going to care for one minute. I think Georgia will play a great game, and end up losing a close one in the end. South Carolina’s size at wide receiver and their veteran leadership will be just enough to beat the Dawgs, 20-17.
P.S. I hope I’m wrong.
Miami v. Ohio State 3:40 pm ESPN
This is a rematch of a great National Title Game in 2002. Ohio State won that game with the help of a bad pass interference call in overtime. This game might be just as close. Randy Shannon has done a great job bringing Miami back after Larry Coker managed to take all that talent to mediocre levels. Miami’s quarterback Jacory Harris has the talent to go on the road and lead his team to victory, but does he have the mental make up to handle the big situations and the national attention?
On the other side of the field, Tyrell Pryor has heard everyone talk about how good he is since he was in high school. Pryor famously took a few extra weeks to decide on Ohio State over Michigan a few years ago, and proceeded to live up to all of his hype in last year’s Rose Bowl. This game will make one of these teams a title contender and leave the other team playing only for their conference title.
Because the game is being played in Columbus, I’ll take Ohio State, but I think it will be a shootout, 31-24.
Florida State v. Oklahoma 3:30 pm ABC
This is a rematch of a not-so-great National Title game in 2001. FSU’s potent offense could barely make it on and off the field after offensive coordinator, Mark Richt took the Georgia job before the title game. Oklahoma won the game and the title. Bobby Bowden never went back to a title game.
Jimbo Fisher is the coach at FSU now, although Bowden’s shadow still looms large over the program. Fisher would go a long way to make the program his own by going on the road Saturday and upsetting Oklahoma, and I believe that is exactly what is going to happen. Oklahoma didn’t look good in their opening game, and even though I think Oklahoma is a good team, I think FSU is due for a big time win. The Noles pull the upset 27-16.
Penn State v. Alabama 7 pm ESPN
The defending champions get their first test of 2010 as Joe Pa brings a young Nitny Lions team to Tuscaloosa. Mark Ingram isn’t going to play and to hear Bama fans talk about it, they are better off. Trent Richardson had a good game last week, but there is a reason Ingram won the Heisman. I think this game will be the game of the day.
Penn State is going to scare the pants right off of AL the elephant. In the end, I think Bama will hang on to win, but don’t be surprised if Penn State is leading sometime in the second half. The fighting Sabans win this one, but close: Bama 17-16.
After some good games last week, college football is in full swing for week 2. We have rivalries heating up in the SEC, and some national championship rematches. You can start your day at Noon and watch great games until 10 pm on Saturday!
Georgia v. South Carolina 12:00 pm ESPN 2
The AJ Green suspension has most Georgia fans thinking that it is not going to be a good day in Columbia. Personally, I think the suspension will help the Dawgs. I didn’t see this game going Georgia’s way before the season, and I still think it will be an upset if the Dawgs win, but I think that the suspension will pull this team together.
Before we get to the game, a word about the suspension. Green knew what he was doing was against NCAA rules. He apologized in a statement and repaid the money. Now he has to do the time. You can’t fault the NCAA for making this decision. There are going to be more suspensions coming in the next few days and weeks for other high-profile programs, at least now the coaches, players, and fans know that Green will be out until the Colorado game.
Now to the on-field matters.
Georgia usually beats South Carolina. In the Richt era, Georgia has only lost to the Gamecocks twice, and one of those times was in Richt’s first SEC game in 2001.
South Carolina looked very good against Southern Mississippi last Thursday night, and they will have a few extra days of rest because of the early game last week, but, Georgia isn’t Southern Mississippi.
South Carolina will feature a veteran quarterback in Stephen Garcia as well as a young prodigy in Connor Shaw. In Garcia, you know what you are going to get. He is going to make some plays, and he has the ability to move around in the pocket and even scramble when pressure is applied. When he is given time, he can pick a defense apart. However, if you saw the game against Southern Miss you know that he doesn’t respond well to pressure. He takes his eyes off of the receivers too early and starts trying to run. If Georgia can get in Garcia’s face, they might force him into some mistakes. Mistakes are the other thing you know you are going to get with Garcia. He threw 10 INT’s last season, and some of them came at the worst possible times. Look for South Carolina to try to establish the run with freshman running back Marcus Lattimore. The ESPN guys loved talking about how Lattimore was running over the Southern Miss defenders, but I think he will have a harder time with the Dawgs defense.
For Georgia it is all about two things: No mistakes from Aaron Murray and keep that defense aggressive. Murray looked extremely poised last Saturday between the hedges, but he has never been in an environment like the one he will see Saturday at Noon. Murray does not have to win the game, but he cannot lose it either. If Murray does not throw an interception, Georgia will win the game.
The biggest key to the game in my opinion is Georgia’s defense. They looked great against lowly Louisiana Lafayette, but what will they be able to do against a legitimate offense. Spurrier is a genius, and if there are holes in the defense, he will find them. Georgia has to figure out a way to stop the passing game of South Carolina. Alshon Jeffery (6-4), Jason Barnes (6-4), and Ace Sanders (5-7) are three great receivers and two of them have the size that will make them almost impossible to cover. If Georgia puts pressure on Garcia, which they have to, it will leave our cornerbacks going one on one with these huge receivers.
I think Georgia will come into Williams-Bryce Stadium on Saturday, arm and arm with an “us against the world mentality.” I think 80,000 people are going to boo this young Georgia team and I don’t think they are going to care for one minute. I think Georgia will play a great game, and end up losing a close one in the end. South Carolina’s size at wide receiver and their veteran leadership will be just enough to beat the Dawgs, 20-17.
P.S. I hope I’m wrong.
Miami v. Ohio State 3:40 pm ESPN
This is a rematch of a great National Title Game in 2002. Ohio State won that game with the help of a bad pass interference call in overtime. This game might be just as close. Randy Shannon has done a great job bringing Miami back after Larry Coker managed to take all that talent to mediocre levels. Miami’s quarterback Jacory Harris has the talent to go on the road and lead his team to victory, but does he have the mental make up to handle the big situations and the national attention?
On the other side of the field, Tyrell Pryor has heard everyone talk about how good he is since he was in high school. Pryor famously took a few extra weeks to decide on Ohio State over Michigan a few years ago, and proceeded to live up to all of his hype in last year’s Rose Bowl. This game will make one of these teams a title contender and leave the other team playing only for their conference title.
Because the game is being played in Columbus, I’ll take Ohio State, but I think it will be a shootout, 31-24.
Florida State v. Oklahoma 3:30 pm ABC
This is a rematch of a not-so-great National Title game in 2001. FSU’s potent offense could barely make it on and off the field after offensive coordinator, Mark Richt took the Georgia job before the title game. Oklahoma won the game and the title. Bobby Bowden never went back to a title game.
Jimbo Fisher is the coach at FSU now, although Bowden’s shadow still looms large over the program. Fisher would go a long way to make the program his own by going on the road Saturday and upsetting Oklahoma, and I believe that is exactly what is going to happen. Oklahoma didn’t look good in their opening game, and even though I think Oklahoma is a good team, I think FSU is due for a big time win. The Noles pull the upset 27-16.
Penn State v. Alabama 7 pm ESPN
The defending champions get their first test of 2010 as Joe Pa brings a young Nitny Lions team to Tuscaloosa. Mark Ingram isn’t going to play and to hear Bama fans talk about it, they are better off. Trent Richardson had a good game last week, but there is a reason Ingram won the Heisman. I think this game will be the game of the day.
Penn State is going to scare the pants right off of AL the elephant. In the end, I think Bama will hang on to win, but don’t be surprised if Penn State is leading sometime in the second half. The fighting Sabans win this one, but close: Bama 17-16.
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