Michael Booker2013-05-25T02:13:37-04:00Michael Bookerhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/index.php?author=michael-bookerCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Michael BookerGood old fashioned elbow grease.The Dawgs Will Beat the Crimson Tidetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.22216492012-11-30T21:06:51-05:002013-01-30T05:12:01-05:00Michael Bookerhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-booker/
So, there's a football game? About that...
I like where our Dawgs stand in this matchup. A lot. Over the last 13 weeks, nobody has given the University of Georgia a crying chance when it comes to the offensive line. Yet, the last four weeks, this unit has been the driving force behind an ultra-successful latter part of the Dawgs' schedule, assisting junior QB Aaron Murray with time to throw 13 touchdown passes without giving up a single interception. The big uglies are peaking, and at the right time. But they have not seen a defense as physical as Bama this year. It will be interesting to see if the momentum they have right now can hold up for four more quarters.
Speaking of Aaron Murray, he has been lights out since giving up three interceptions in a winning effort against Florida in late October. Despite losing his two leading (at the time) receivers, Murray continues to find and use a plethora of weapons. Lately, senior WR Tavarres King has reemerged as a favorite target, and I wouldn't expect that to change in today's game. Another one of Murray's weapons to keep an eye on today is redshirt freshman TE Jay Rome. UGA fans are finally starting to see why he was the #1 ranked TE when he committed to the Dawgs back in 2010 out of Valdosta High School. Rome's huge frame and physical play should keep the Alabama linebackers honest when he is lined up as a receiver.
What has the fine people of Georgia most excited this season has undoubtedly been the play of "Gurshall," a play on words for true freshmen RBs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. These two have combined for over 1,800 yards and 22 touchdowns, leaving all the doubters prior to this season saying "Isaiah who?" Gurley is the more physical RB, which will likely be needed more against the monster defensive line of Bama. Marshall is the finesse speedster, and if he is able to get to the outside, he could turn up and outrun any DB or safety in the sport. While Bama's specialty on defense is stopping the run, I believe the balanced play of Aaron Murray will keep the Bama D from selling out and clogging all the running lanes. So look for "Gurshall" to at find the endzone at least once in this game.
Since now famously being called out by senior safety Shawn Williams, the UGA defense has finally lived up to all the hype it received during this past offseason. After the lackluster effort against lowly Kentucky six weeks ago, the fire has been lit under this unit, and the return of the "Junkyard Dawgs" has been more than welcomed in Athens. They held Florida to only three field goals, answering the age old question of "how do you keep a Gator out of Georgia?"... by placing an endzone at the state line. The last four weeks they have only given up four touchdowns, and two of them have come in "garbage time" when the starters were no longer playing. But today, they will face the most brutal and physical running attack they have seen all season, and it will likely be a deciding factor to keep an eye on as to how they slow Bama down and force A.J. McCarron to throw the ball. I expect this defense to be hyped up more than they have all season, and find success in not only slowing down the run enough to force McCarron to throw, but be able to get to him when he does drop back.
Keep in mind, the last two weeks UGA has played teams that run the triple option, making them play a style of defense that will not be put into play against the pro-set style of Bama. Many have speculated that this may have hurt in the preparations for this game, but I expect the D to be excited about the more traditional game plan, and of course not being cut-blocked every single play.
Last year, UGA was just happy to be in this game after starting the season 0-2, and eventually collapsed against LSU despite building an early lead. This year, just being in the Dome in early December is not enough for Mark Richt's Dawgs. Expectations were set before this season ever kicked off, and while it took a little longer than some had hoped to see the full potential come out, this team is paying its best football at the right time. I expect a stereotypical SEC game full of hard-nosed defense and pounding runs by both teams. However, I have a really good feeling about UGA's chances within the individual matchups. So long as UGA doesn't get in its own way, protects the ball and makes smart decisions when needed, they roll the Tide, setting off a frenzy in the state of Georgia not seen in 30 years. It will be a very, very good Christmas in the peach state.
Dawgs: 20 Elephants: 14
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Missouri fans have taken to the blogosphere and Twitter over the summer to remind UGA fans that their "Zoo" is going to be a tough place to win, especially under extraordinary circumstances. We at LeatherHelmetBlog.com agree, but what they fail to realize is that Mark Richt leads his program into places like Tennessee, South Carolina, LSU, and Bama and wins regularly (check recent records if you think I'm lying). Those places are much bigger and louder than anything Missouri fans think they can throw our way. In fact, during Richt's first 11 seasons in Athens, he has racked up a 30-8 record in true SEC road games. This should not be overlooked.
As far as the game itself, well, nobody has any idea what UGA team will be on the field. By now it is old news that UGA may have as many as four defensive starters watching from the sidelines, and not because of injury. We already know Senior DB Sanders Commings and Junior OLB Chase Vasser will be suspended for being knuckleheads, and it has been widely rumored for months now that All-American Senior FS Bacarri Rambo and star Junior ILB Alec Ogletree may be suspended. Without the latter two, the defense will be very thin and perhaps vulnerable to a duel threat quarterback like the one Missouri will throw at us in James Franklin. However, it has been widely rumored and speculated this week that one or both of them might actually touch Faurot Field on Saturday night. But Richt has taken a new approach this year when it comes to suspensions and, basically, only he and his coaching staff know anything about players' statuses until it's time for kickoff, citing competitive advantages.
Players to watch for UGA Saturday night include All-American Junior OLB Jarvis Jones, who many consider to be the best linebacker in the nation this season. Last year, Jones feasted on opposing quarterbacks, accumulating 14.5 sacks to go along with 70 tackles (19.5 for loss). In addition, Junior QB Aaron Murray is entering his fourth season in the program, third behind center. Last season, Murray threw for a UGA record 35 touchdowns, and a total of 3,149 yards. Plagued by several costly mistakes in 2011, UGA players and coaches alike have made it clear that Murray has emerged as a true team leader and shown vast mechanical improvements going into this season.
The biggest question for UGA, besides how many of their defensive players will be allowed to play, will be the play of an inexperienced offensive line. With three starters graduating to the NFL from last year's squad, young players, including true freshman RT John Theus, are being asked to step straight into the trenches and produce. While they looked good at times, Aaron Murray was still sacked three times last week against the University of Buffalo. Keep an eye on this line, as they will dominate the offensive approach depending on what works and doesn't work on the first couple possessions.
Dawg fans have been exceptionally excited this week after the breakout performance of true freshman RB Todd Gurley, who rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns, on top of a 100 yard kickoff return for another score. It was reported he was lighting it up during camp and it was obvious he was in no way intimidated by 92,446 fans in attendance last Saturday.
A major storyline for UGA this Saturday night will be the play of Malcolm Mitchell, who emerged as the No. 1 WR as a freshman last season, but was moved to CB (where he was originally recruited) to supplement the abundance of suspensions in the secondary early this season. Mitchell has reportedly turned many heads in camp back at his natural position, but has yet to be seen by UGA fans on the defensive side of the ball. Mitchell was not only hurt during the annual G-Day game in April, but was out last week with a sprained ankle. Reports Thursday of this week had him practicing in a non-contact jersey, with no visible limitations.
LeatherHelmetBlog.com expects somewhat of a high-scoring shootout, especially if UGA has all the suspensions that have been long anticipated. However, Missouri fans may have the impression that giving up nearly 400 yards a game and operating with an undersized offensive line will create a name for themselves. But they are no longer in the "run-and-gun," lollipop Big 12. We have nothing but the utmost respect for the fine University of Missouri, its fans, and traditions, but Saturday night there will be some sad faces wearing that ugly yellow color. Just because the SEC patch will be sewn onto the jersey, doesn't instantly make the talent wearing it any better than the 8-5 team that visited Shreveport just a few months ago.