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Georgia-Oklahoma brings a different kind of test to Athens

Oklahoma does have a way to make things uncomfortable for Georgia on Saturday, and that is the path to the upset: keep the score close, let the defense set the pace, and hope John Mateer gets enough chances to hit a big play or two. Georgia’s job, as it has been all season, is to close that door as early as possible.

So far, the Bulldogs have made a habit of shutting things down early, and that is why Georgia’s fast starts matter so much here. Through three games, Georgia has outscored opponents 56-0 in the first quarter and 105-12 in the first half. Tennessee State and Western Kentucky were out of it before halftime, and Arkansas found itself down 21-3 at the break before Georgia turned it on the jets.

Oklahoma’s defense has been the strength, giving up just 7.7 points per game. Last week, they held New Mexico to 185 total yards, and even in their only loss, Michigan managed just 17 points. Brent Venables has a group that can turn a game into a slog, which is why those are the kinds of games that can get tricky for a favorite if they spend too much time waiting for talent to bail them out.

The offense, meanwhile, hasn’t been as steady. After putting up 51 points against UTEP, Oklahoma managed just 10 at Michigan and 14 against New Mexico. Mateer has thrown for 652 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions, and there is enough speed on the field—especially with Isaiah Sategna III—to punish a defense that loses focus. Still, the Sooners have not shown much interest in getting into a shootout, so Georgia’s best move is to make them try anyway.

If Georgia can build a two-score lead, it changes the shape of the game for Oklahoma. It changes what Oklahoma can ask from its defense and what it needs from its quarterback. At 17-3, every empty possession puts more pressure on an offense that has already had trouble stringing drives together.

The Bulldogs do not need to force things to get to that point. The offense has been efficient enough to let the game come to them. Stockton has nine touchdown passes without an interception, Georgia is averaging over 250 rushing yards per game, and there is enough variety in the playbook to make Oklahoma defend the quarterback run, the backs, and the middle of the field.

The bigger concern is handing the Sooners easy reasons to believe. A turnover, a special teams mistake, or a couple of sacks that flip field position could keep Oklahoma in the exact kind of game it wants, and Georgia should avoid giving it that opening.

This will be Oklahoma’s first visit to Sanford Stadium and just the second time these teams have met. The first one turned into a Rose Bowl classic, mostly because Georgia spent the afternoon chasing the Sooners down.

On Saturday, Georgia’s goal should be simple: make sure someone else does the chasing.

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