1 – Run Defense – Kent State has played one of college football’s toughest schedules, opening at Washington and then going to Oklahoma. The Golden Flashes have been tough and certainly earned a great deal of respect for hanging around against these college football bluebloods. Against Washington, Kent State ran 39 times for 147 yards, an average of 3.8 per carry. In Norman, Kent State ran for 12 first downs and 164 yards on 52 carries. Now obviously this is not a dominating attack, but it’s allowed Kent State to run some clock and build some toughness. Now it’s Georgia, and the Bulldogs run defense will be “on notice.” For a comfortable victory, that stop unit must answer the bell and stuff the run.
2 – Big Play Offense – The modern term is “explosives.” Chunk plays. Both on the ground and through the air, everyone is looking for those big gainers and long touchdowns. It can be hard to sustain drives. One miscue, next thing you know, you’re behind the chains. On the ground, through the air, the Bulldogs would love to rip off some big plays and a long score or two. That goes for special teams as well. An overwhelming athletic play can take the wind out of the underdog’s sails.
3 – Kicking Game Conquest – Turnovers and special teams. That’s how the door for an upset can be opened. Georgia is looking for a sound and clean performance first, and then the play-making to create separation from one of the Mid American Conference’s best teams. Depth – more on that below – shows up on special teams and this is an area where the Bulldogs will look to capitalize and excel Saturday afternoon.
4 – Domination with Depth – That depth will clearly favor Georgia. The Bulldogs would love to take an early lead, create a cushion and get some critical game snaps for reserves. Georgia has had that opportunity this season, and would love to do it again. Quarterback is the position that gets the most attention. Who will that next guy be after Stetson Bennett? There are three talented scholarship underclassmen behind the Bulldogs sixth-year signal caller – who knows, maybe there’s another walk-on who’s time will come – and there’s no way to quantify the value of getting those snaps “when the band’s playing.”
5 – Bring the Energy – It’s a noon game after the huge Southeastern Conference showdown with the Gamecocks at South Carolina. Next week, Georgia heads to the other Columbia to play Missouri in the second SEC game of the year, and the beginning of seven straight against league foes. Kent State has already played at Washington and Oklahoma, so the Golden Flashes don’t figure to be star struck. Georgia’s players and fans thrive off one another. The energy created Between the Hedges between the two has helped turn Sanford Stadium into one of the most intimidating atmospheres in college football.