Worst Fears Realized

It all caught up with us last night. The injuries. The penalties. The dropsies.

The Injuries
We were already missing Sturdivant, Owens, Tripp, Battle, and Southerland (at fullback). We then lose Dannell Ellerbe, Chris Davis, Kris Durham, and even Knowshon for some time during this one. Unfortunately we're getting to the point where we just can't absorb these losses anymore.

The Penalties
We remain to be the most penalized team in college football. The players were saying they couldn't keep it up. It would catch up with us. Last night it did. The rouging the passer on the opening drive was a game changer. If we get that fumble who knows what happens.

The Dropsies
Way too many drops last night.

These definitely weren't the only things that went wrong. The biggest problem was that Alabama can flat out play. They hit us in the mouth and before we knew what hit us, it was 31-0.

Let's just hope the team can regroup and bounce back. Maybe this loss has a similar effect on the team as last year's Tennessee game. With one loss, we still control our own destiny in the East.

What Would Larry Do?

I think I had more fun making this video last year than any I ever made. Again, Munson won't be calling the Georgia - Alabama game this year, but we can all imagine what it would sound like if he did.

Them's Fightin Words

Who needs Pat Dye when you've got a current coach to give you some bulletin board material? I really hope Coach Richt gets a hold of this. Listen carefully at right around 1:04 in the video. The language is not safe for work.

Better Debut?

A.J. Green and Julio Jones were bound to be constantly compared as the number 1 and 2 receivers coming out of high school. On top of that, they both chose SEC schools that play each other this season. And these two just threw some fuel on the fire by both choosing to wear the number 8.

So the question is, who had a better debut on Saturday? Using the box score from each game, I'll take a completely unbiased look at this.

1st play from scrimmage.
A.J. Green caught a 36 yard pass from Matthew Stafford and nearly scored a touchdown. Julio Jones blocked while John Parker Wilson handed off to Glen Coffee.

Advantage: A.J. Green

1st Score
A.J. Green made a twisting, diving catch on a fade pass from Joe Cox. Julio Jones was wide open in the end zone due to a defensive mixup.

Advantage: A.J. Green

Overall Performance
A.J. Green had two catches for 40 yards and one touchdown. Julio Jones had four catches for 28 yards and one touchdown. Need I point out that Green had more yards on his first reception than Julio Jones had in an entire game?

Advantage: A.J. Green

So as you can see, anything Julio can do A.J. can do better.

Go Dawgs!

Alabama Highlights

As promised, here is the full highlight video from the Bama game. Enjoy!

Why Talk Trash Through the Media?

Let's recap. Last week Alabama defensive end Wallace Gilberry said the following in reference to Matthew Stafford:

After the game Saturday, I can tell you anything you want to know - his birthday, his telephone number, his home address. I've got to know where to send the flowers after the game.

So do you think Stafford will get any flowers this week? I'm thinking no. My guess is the only Flowers Stafford will see this week is Thomas. Zing!

Keys to the Game

During the first quarter of last week's game between Bama and Arkansas I called my dad. Bama was taking it to the Hogs, and I got scared. I told my dad we were going to get stomped by Bama, and he agreed.

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.