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When Georgia Has the Ball
[su_spacer size=”20″] The Dawgs will look to ride the running game as far as it will take them on Saturday. The Commodore defense is going to attack the Georgia offensive line and force Greyson Lambert to make plays with his arm rather than allowing Chubb and Company to dominate the line of scrimmage. Schottenheimer is going to have to throw the ball on early downs with the Dawgs’ advantage at the skill positions to make Mason pay for blitzing. Assuming the Georgia defense controls the Vanderbilt offense, eventually, the quality and depth of the Georgia offensive line will take over and the 4-headed monster at tailback will find holes to exploit for big yardage in the running game. While the Dawgs will have to throw more than they did last week against ULM, the outcome of the game on offense eventually comes down to the ability to control the line of scrimmage and the running game.
[su_spacer size=”40″] When Vandy Has the Ball
[su_spacer size=”20″] The Commodores scored 12 points last week against Western Kentucky and had multiple mistakes within the red zone and lost the turnover battle. For a team with a razor-thin margin for victor as Vanderbilt, that’s going to get you beat by most D-1 programs and will get you run off the field by a team like Georgia. Pruitt will begin to show more of the defensive packages this week in Nashville and has probably been in his secondary’s ear about the lack of focus at times last Saturday. Given some of the comments by Jordan Jenkins and others about the 2013 game, the defense should come into the game with the approach of “never again” and put the clamps down early on the Vanderbilt offense. We have traditionally had trouble stopping the Vandy running game in Nashville, and their ability to run the ball and shorten the game is the path to keeping the game close entering the 4th quarter. If the Commodores couldn’t score TDs against Western Kentucky, I don’t see how they generate enough points to keep the game close against the Georgia defense.
[su_spacer size=”40″] What Will Happen
[su_spacer size=”20″] The only chance Vandy has to steal one from the Dawgs will be to win the turnover battle and special teams to get easy points from field position. I just don’t see how they will be able to drive the length of the field against the Georgia defense to generate points consistently. The Georgia offense goes about its business and generates yards and points as the Commodore defense gets worn down by the Dawgs’ front 5 and running game. The Dawgs pull away in the 3rd quarter and return to Athens 1-0 in the league and ready to take on Public Enemy #1 – Steve Spurrier.
[su_spacer size=”20″] Final Score: Georgia 38, Vanderbilt 13
[su_spacer size=”40″] Other games of interest:
[su_spacer size=”20″] Minnesota @ Colorado St. – Mike Bobo’s new team steps up in competition this week as the Gophers come to Fort Collins. Minnesota took TCU to the brink on opening night. If the Gophers have gotten over the hangover, they should get the job done, but I think the Rams win at altitude. Colorado St. 31, Minnesota 28
[su_spacer size=”40″] #9 Notre Dame @ Virginia – The media’s love affair with the Irish has begun after the Domers beat up on a Texas team that looks to be headed in the wrong direction. Virginia is smarting after taking a whipping from UCLA. Mike London needs a win and needs it badly. He doesn’t get it this week, and Notre Dame gets moved into the top 5 just because they’re the Irish. Notre Dame 38, Virginia 10
[su_spacer size=”40″] #19 Oklahoma @ #23 Tennessee – Sgt. Carter looks to get his signature win on Rocky Top against Big Game Bob and the Sooners. It’s been a long time since the Vols have beaten a ranked opponent, and there’s been some SEC/Big 12 trash talking happening this week. The Vols look horrible on defense after giving up 30 last week to Bowling Green. The Sooners get the job done in KnoxVegas, and Butch Jones gets another moral victory brick in the wall. Oklahoma 41, Tennessee 35
[su_spacer size=”40″] Kentucky @ South Carolina – The Gamecocks found a way to win in Charlotte last week. Kentucky beat a Sun Belt team by 7 at home last week. While I would love to see Darth Visor get upset, that would just focus him more on us next week. I think South Carolina has too much on both sides of the ball and the home field. South Carolina 38, Kentucky 24
[su_spacer size=”40″] #7 Oregon @ #5 Michigan St. – In this season’s first match-up of top 10 teams, the Ducks travel to East Lansing to take on the Spartans. Michigan St. stayed in the game last season in Eugene but just couldn’t contain the Ducks’ offense in the 2nd half as Oregon pulled away. While I really would like to see Sparty and D’Antonio get a big win, I don’t believe the Spartans can keep up with the number of athletes Nike U will throw at them. Oregon 38, Michigan St. 34
[su_spacer size=”40″] #14 LSU @ #25 Mississippi St. – After last week’s cancellation, the Bayou Bengals open on the road against the Bizarro Dogs in the game of the day involving SEC teams. Dak Prescott made his presence felt on the Bayou last year in the Bulldogs’ win and will look to do the same tomorrow night. I really think the Tigers are underrated and ready to end Prescott’s Heisman run before it gets started. This game has “UPSET” written all over it since LSU hasn’t played a game to work out the kinks, but this is the type of situation the Mad Hatter lives for. LSU 28, Mississippi St. 24
[su_spacer size=”40″] I would love to read your comments below.
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