Then, somehow Arkansas stormed back. And if it wasn't for the combination of a ridiculous move by Houston Nutt (throwing on third down when Bama had no timeouts!?!?) and a bogus pass interference call, Bama wouldn't have that first fourth quarter comeback since before Shula was their coach. Plus, is it really a comeback when you blow a ginormous lead and then need to come back?
Anyway, I felt much better after the entire game than I did after the first quarter. Georgia can win, but there are several things they need to do.
If Georgia is going to win, they need to start off fast on offense a la the Auburn game last year. I'm looking for a nice deep ball on the first possession to either Demiko Goodman or Sean Bailey.
I'd also like to see our best receivers in the game for key situations. If the coaches insist on rotating 18 receivers, so be it. But if it's 3rd and 8, Bailey and Massaquoi need to be on the field.
Their defensive line is unproven. More Knowshon, need I say more?
Lastly on offense, we need the young line to play like veterans. Not one, but two true freshmen are starting in Clint Boling and Trinton Sturdivant. This is going to be a very hostile environment on the road in the SEC at night. I'm not expecting them to play lights out. What I want to avoid is blocking the wrong guy allowing the defense a clean and easy shot at Stafford like against Western Carolina.
On defense, we have to get pressure on John Parker Wilson. (Is he an assassin or something? What's with the three names?) He's shown that he can make poor decisions and throws when pressured in the past. My Bama friends have told me his receivers bail him out a lot.
The bottom line is our defensive success rests on the line. They got pushed around against South Carolina. That can't happen again here. Although, if we stay in a 4-3 in obvious running situations, that will help too.
In all honesty, I have no idea what this game is going to be like. In 2002, I really felt like it was going to be a slugfest that could be decided on special teams. That ended up being the case. With this game, I have no idea. I could see it being a tight game, or a blowout by either team. Anything is possible. Will the Dawgs come out on top? I don't know, but they can.
I think you're right. Special teams will make all the difference tomorrow. Our poor kick return coverage worries me the most. Giving Bama good field position will kill our chances of winning out in a tight game.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about JP Wilson - that's why Bryan Evans is gonna have to have a BIG day tomorrow.
Great Preview! Go Dawgs!
Couldn't agree more... we need a whole lot more Knowshon and some consistent PT for Massaquoi and Bailey. While I think it's good that we cycle in different receivers, there are times and places to do that. When it's crunch time in a hostile environment against an SEC rival, you go with your big play guys. And I just think in order for Stafford to develop some type of rhythm with his receivers, he needs to have his go-to guys on the field on a consistent basis.
ReplyDeleteIf we're going to jump on the Tide like we did at Auburn last year, we're gonna need guys to make plays. Bryan Evans, I'm looking at you. Tra Battle isn't there to grab three picks for our defense this year...
I'm encouraged with the reports that Stafford admitted he wasn't entirely prepared for the South Carolina game and that he's been studying a "Nick Saban Playcalling" DVD all week. Whatever that is. But it sounds like he's committed to putting in a good performance against Bama.
Absolutely everyone I've seen or read has picked the Tide to win this one, which surprises me just because of how easily Bama could/should have lost to the Razorbacks. It seems as though the Tide have gone from a proverbial dark horse to a perennial SEC juggernaut in a matter of days, which doesn't seem totally accurate. But if the Dawgs can go in and snuff out a road win over a Bama team that everyone is watching and getting behind, they're going to get a fair amount of attention themselves.
What I'll be looking for is if the team comes out asleep at all (i.e., South Carolina) and if Bobo can refrain from looking to go for some type of trickery big play that could end up costing us. I'd like to see us run the ball as much as possible and let Stafford work off the play action.
And I'll call it now - Mikey Henderson will break one on special teams. It's coming.
Oh, and in a completely unrelated note, I TiVo'ed the 1994 UGA/Bama game on Classic a couple days ago and watched it a little bit ago. It really is amazing how great Zeier was back then. Watching the combination of him and Ward really was fun to watch.
Go Dawgs.
For those who missed Gameday this morning...
ReplyDeleteFrom Albama's Wallace Gilberry:
"After the game Saturday, I can tell you anything you want to know [about Stafford] - his birthday, his telephone number, his home address... I've got to know where to send the flowers after the game."
Now I really want to beat these guys.
FYI - I just sent a high quality copy of the final play to you via email at this addy
ReplyDeleteoriginalblawger @ bulldawgblawg . com
You might want to use it in your video.
PWD