Here are my thoughts.....I think the most important match-up in keeping this game under is the UGA D against the OSU O.
Similar to a lot of others.
RECAP OF 2007 - Last time these 2 teams played you will see that UGA played the screen game almost the whole time....Stafford was a sophomore and the playbook was very compromised because of it. Knowshon was starting his first game and ran for around 90 yards and had another 70 yards in receiving. UGA was worried about the potential of the OSU offense and it showed with the ball control they had in the game. UGA ended up leading 21-14 at the half, made adjustments to the OSU offense, and won 35-14.
UGA - So UGA lost Stafford and Moreno.....everyone knows. The reality of the losts of these 2 1st rounders is a gain for the rest of the team. If you ask anyone (Richt, OC's, DC's, teammates), the star of THIS team is the team. I truly believe that this year. The return of Owens, Dobbs, Battle, etc. will make a HUGE different on defense. There may not be a better group of DT's in the country and the backups (Weston, Jones, Tyson) could start on about 90% of the teams in the NCAA.
The LB's are top 10 in the country and all upperclassmen lead by Rennie Curran (my fellow alumni), Darryl Gamble, Darius Dewberry, and Akeem Dent will be able to have speed on the outside and in the middle.
The secondary is still very solid with returning starters Reshad Jones and Bryan Evans at the safety positions and Prince Miller at a CB. I want to tell you that Branden Smith will be a star sooner than later as well. (Expect him in some wildcat for the game).
The biggest question on the defense is at the DE's for UGA. They have suspended the best DE for 2 games in Justin Houston, and moved Marcus Washington (a former LB) to DE. Willie Martinez (Def. Coord.) has seemed to want to get more speed on the ends because of the mediocrity last year with the sack totals. I think they will be able to contain Robinson on the ends.
I think Georgia is at a big match-up disadvantage on paper for OT vs. DE. However, UGA has the horses up the middle this year to cause real problems for the men in Orange. Jeff Owens and Geno Atkins have vibrant NFL futures, and they are backed up by Kade Weston. Weston wasn't healthy enough to make much of an impact, but he'll be the best back-up DT the Pokes see all year.
All in all, giving UGA 9 months to prepare for this game and the defense has something to prove. UGA did more live tackling in the preseason than it has ever done under Richt. Don't expect many YAC in this one.
OSU - What can be said that every other media outlet hasn't said? They have one of the best 3-headed monsters in the country with Robinson, Bryant and Hunter. Not only that but their OL consists of (from another site, but completely accurate):
OT -- Russell Okung (Sr.) Potential Top 5 pick in the 2010 NFL draft. Okung, the Big 12's top returning tackle, has started the past 34 consecutive games. Without Justin Houston at DE for UGA, we will definitely be facing a mismatch at this position. (Image above)
OT -- Brady Bond (RSr.) 30+ starts for the Cowboys. If you're looking for a comparison, I'd say he's something like Chester Adams with more agility. An experienced, smart player with enough talent to be an NFL free agent. He's a kid that would be vulnerable to a big pass rusher if we had one.
C -- Andrew Lewis (RSr.) 26 straight starts. He has played a little guard, and a lot of Center. Comparison...he's somewhere between Fernando Velasco and Nick Jones in terms of ability. Solid, savvy college veteran, but he's not a dominator.
Guards -- This is where the Cowboys have issues. They aren't short on warm, big bodies, but none of them has seen a lot of action. A couple of JUCO guys and younger players highlight the list. It's always a treat to put experience DTs against inexperienced OGs.
This is a team that averaged over 40 points a game last year, yet here's how the Cowboys offense faired against ranked opposition last year:
Missouri -- 28
Texas -- 24
Texas Tech -- 20
Oklahoma -- 41
Oregon -- 31
AVG: 28.8
None of these teams (in my opinion have the defense of a middle of the road SEC team, save Texas and OU).
I expect a very ball-controlled UGA team to come out and run the ball with Samuel and a change of pace with Thomas, and a "smart" passing attack from Cox. UGA wants this game to be as low scoring as possible, and I don't think that OSU has the speed to play their standard "up-tempo" style.
My play: UNDER 61 and UNDER 30.5 (1st half)
Similar to a lot of others.
RECAP OF 2007 - Last time these 2 teams played you will see that UGA played the screen game almost the whole time....Stafford was a sophomore and the playbook was very compromised because of it. Knowshon was starting his first game and ran for around 90 yards and had another 70 yards in receiving. UGA was worried about the potential of the OSU offense and it showed with the ball control they had in the game. UGA ended up leading 21-14 at the half, made adjustments to the OSU offense, and won 35-14.
UGA - So UGA lost Stafford and Moreno.....everyone knows. The reality of the losts of these 2 1st rounders is a gain for the rest of the team. If you ask anyone (Richt, OC's, DC's, teammates), the star of THIS team is the team. I truly believe that this year. The return of Owens, Dobbs, Battle, etc. will make a HUGE different on defense. There may not be a better group of DT's in the country and the backups (Weston, Jones, Tyson) could start on about 90% of the teams in the NCAA.
The LB's are top 10 in the country and all upperclassmen lead by Rennie Curran (my fellow alumni), Darryl Gamble, Darius Dewberry, and Akeem Dent will be able to have speed on the outside and in the middle.
The secondary is still very solid with returning starters Reshad Jones and Bryan Evans at the safety positions and Prince Miller at a CB. I want to tell you that Branden Smith will be a star sooner than later as well. (Expect him in some wildcat for the game).
The biggest question on the defense is at the DE's for UGA. They have suspended the best DE for 2 games in Justin Houston, and moved Marcus Washington (a former LB) to DE. Willie Martinez (Def. Coord.) has seemed to want to get more speed on the ends because of the mediocrity last year with the sack totals. I think they will be able to contain Robinson on the ends.
I think Georgia is at a big match-up disadvantage on paper for OT vs. DE. However, UGA has the horses up the middle this year to cause real problems for the men in Orange. Jeff Owens and Geno Atkins have vibrant NFL futures, and they are backed up by Kade Weston. Weston wasn't healthy enough to make much of an impact, but he'll be the best back-up DT the Pokes see all year.
All in all, giving UGA 9 months to prepare for this game and the defense has something to prove. UGA did more live tackling in the preseason than it has ever done under Richt. Don't expect many YAC in this one.
OSU - What can be said that every other media outlet hasn't said? They have one of the best 3-headed monsters in the country with Robinson, Bryant and Hunter. Not only that but their OL consists of (from another site, but completely accurate):
OT -- Russell Okung (Sr.) Potential Top 5 pick in the 2010 NFL draft. Okung, the Big 12's top returning tackle, has started the past 34 consecutive games. Without Justin Houston at DE for UGA, we will definitely be facing a mismatch at this position. (Image above)
OT -- Brady Bond (RSr.) 30+ starts for the Cowboys. If you're looking for a comparison, I'd say he's something like Chester Adams with more agility. An experienced, smart player with enough talent to be an NFL free agent. He's a kid that would be vulnerable to a big pass rusher if we had one.
C -- Andrew Lewis (RSr.) 26 straight starts. He has played a little guard, and a lot of Center. Comparison...he's somewhere between Fernando Velasco and Nick Jones in terms of ability. Solid, savvy college veteran, but he's not a dominator.
Guards -- This is where the Cowboys have issues. They aren't short on warm, big bodies, but none of them has seen a lot of action. A couple of JUCO guys and younger players highlight the list. It's always a treat to put experience DTs against inexperienced OGs.
This is a team that averaged over 40 points a game last year, yet here's how the Cowboys offense faired against ranked opposition last year:
Missouri -- 28
Texas -- 24
Texas Tech -- 20
Oklahoma -- 41
Oregon -- 31
AVG: 28.8
None of these teams (in my opinion have the defense of a middle of the road SEC team, save Texas and OU).
I expect a very ball-controlled UGA team to come out and run the ball with Samuel and a change of pace with Thomas, and a "smart" passing attack from Cox. UGA wants this game to be as low scoring as possible, and I don't think that OSU has the speed to play their standard "up-tempo" style.
My play: UNDER 61 and UNDER 30.5 (1st half)
