Deep South's Oldest Rivalry: A Family Affair

Although the Tennessee and Florida games mean more to the Eastern Division race, and Georgia Tech means never having to face the revenge of the nerds, Auburn is still the most important game to me. I grew up in a divided Georgia-Auburn household. My mother is a Georgia graduate and my father is an Auburn graduate.

As an infant/toddler, I had Georgia bottles and apparently chanted “Go Hersch!” over and over. So in the end, I was meant to be a Georgia Bulldog. However, I did have a brief stay with the Auburn Tigers during adolescence.

The following is little Earl without the red hair and the hideous orange shirt. Notice how the kid has to be bribed. Not surprising for Auburn.



We attended almost every Georgia-Auburn game in my childhood, no matter if it was in Athens or on the Plains. And I donned the orange and blue every time. But, when it was time to choose a college to attend, I obviously chose Georgia. Mom was happy, and dad was just as thrilled about the in-state Hope scholarship.

Anyways, we’re like so many other families in this rivalry with people on both sides. And as we head into another entry in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, I’m looking forward to sitting in an Auburn section of the stadium as a Bulldog for the first time. Each time I’ve been to Jordan-Hare in the 2000s as a Dawg, I’ve had the fortune of sitting in the Georgia section. Not this year, though. This year, it’s right behind the Auburn bench on the 50-yard line (Hey, like the title says…Earl sits on the 50). Should be fun.

This video really captures the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry.



Georgia is 8-2. Auburn is 5-5. How many times have I seen the underdog win in this series? Too many times to count. Advantage: Auburn

Jordan-Hare Stadium. How many times have I seen the visiting team win in this series? Too many times to count. Advantage: Georgia

With those two advantages canceling each other out, I think the better football team wins on Saturday and that’s the Dawgs. And just for good measure, the former Parkview High School running back Brad Lester has helped the cause this week by calling out the better football team. We appreciate it Brad. Word has it that Rennie Curran has just washed ashore from Liberia again and is thinking about you on Saturday. Thanks Brad.

Georgia hasn’t beaten Auburn three straight times since 1980-1982. Let’s make that 2006-2008. And then watch the Dawgs beat Tech for the 8th straight time, while Auburn ruins Alabama’s season, beating the Tide for the 7th straight time. The Tigers will tell you that they’re undefeated in Tuscaloosa.

The past 7-8 Thanksgiving weekends have been real good in the family thanks to those two in-state rivalries.

Go Dawgs!

Georgia vs. Kentucky Preview: Righting the Ship

This how we all feel after last week’s debacle in Jacksonville:

I sympathize with the guy who gets punched and then later strangled. Reminds me of Alabama and then Florida. Notice that Andy Samberg’s shirt is blue with orange lettering.

Now is the time for the Dawgs to put last week behind them and focus on closing out what can still be a very good season. The road ahead begins Saturday in Lexington. Here’s a preview of what we’ll see.

Kentucky Wildcats – Who are these guys?

Thanks to an out of conference schedule filled with cupcakes (Norfolk State, Middle Tennessee State, Western Kentucky) and conference wins over Arkansas and Mississippi State, Kentucky is already bowl eligible for the third straight year. At 6-3, an upset over Georgia could propel Kentucky to a bowl game outside of Shreveport or Nashville.

Last time Kentucky went a bowl outside of Nashville it was the Outback Bowl in 1998. The ‘Cats proceeded to drop that game to Penn State, 26-14.

Kentucky on Offense

Kentucky has been a team plagued by inexperience and injuries during the 2008 campaign. After All-SEC quarterback Andre Woodson moved on to the NFL and Chris Pulley was kicked off the team (he now plays at Florida A&M), Coach Brooks has yet to settle on one quarterback as the new leader of the team. Randall Cobb, a converted wide receiver, and Mike Hartline have split time under center for the Cats this year. According to coach Brooks, we will continue to see a QB rotation for the remainder of the season. Kentucky lost its senior leader on offense when receiver Dicky Lyons, Jr. went down earlier this year with a leg injury. If you have never read the comments Lyons made about having dreams with Matt Stafford in them during SEC media days, check out the story here. The only other threat Kentucky had in the passing game was sophomore running back Derrick Locke. Unfortunately for Kentucky, he also suffered a season ending injury. Locke was not only the Cats' second leading receiver but also their leading rusher. With little experience, don't expect an explosive offensive performance from Kentucky on Saturday.

Kentucky on Defense
The strength of the Kentucky team resides on the defensive side of the ball. With the exception of the blowout loss to Florida, the Kentucky defense has not allowed another opponent to score more than 20 points. This includes holding Louisville scoreless (the Cardinals’ only score came on a safety). Linebackers Braxton Kelly and Micah Johnson lead the team in tackles with 31 each. Kentucky is also solid in the defensive secondary, where Marcus McClinton and Trevard Lindley both have 4 interceptions a piece. The defense only gives up about 300 yards of total offense per game and should be quite a challenge for Stafford and the Bulldog offense (which averages about 420 yards per game).

What Will the Dawgs do?
Coaches Mark Richt and Mike Bob have taken a lot of criticism this week for the failures of Georgia’s offense to put up points in the red zone. There has also been criticism surrounding Knowshon Moreno’s absence from the huddle on several plays throughout the past few games. Look for the Dawgs to try and silence some of the doubters this week. Matt Stafford will play a controlled game and should put up decent numbers, but the tandem of Moreno and Caleb King will get a lot of carries. Look for Georgia to once again control the clock as they did in the Tennessee, South Carolina, and Arizona State games.

Knowshon had 124 yardsand 1 touchdown against Kentucky last year. Look for more of the same on Saturday.

On defense, Georgia will need to find a way get some turnovers. Kentucky’s line does not allow many sacks, so the Dawgs are going to need to at least put enough pressure on the inexperienced Wildcat QBs to force some bad throws into coverage. I also look for Georgia to make a big play on special teams. Georgia blocked a punt in the game in Athens last year and Kentucky exposed an inability to provide good protection for its kickers during the Florida game (UF blocked two punts and a field goal on its way to 63-5 destruction of the Cats).

Prediction
Believe it or not, I actually think the Dawgs will come out on fire in the first quarter. The loss to Florida hurts and this young team will be hungry to make a statement. Knowshon should go for at least 125 with two or three scores. On defense, look for the secondary to step up and make plays and help fix Georgia’s current turnover deficit (-1).

Georgia 38, Kentucky 17

GO DAWGS!!!

Dawg Barkin' Chasin' Down a Hoodoo There

The title of this post comes from a line in CCR’s “Born on the Bayou.” Of course, we’ve taken some liberties with the spelling of “Dawg.” This is a Georgia blog, for God’s sakes, and we all know what Saturday brings, the first trip to Tiger Stadium in 5 years for our Dawgs. One of the most respected, revered, but most importantly, feared stadiums in all of college football, if not the most. This Saturday afternoon, and thankfully not Saturday night, is what college football and the SEC are all about. Unfortunately, I won’t be there, but BNE will be well represented.



Onto the game…

LSU knows how to win. Just look at its game last week against South Carolina. The Gamecocks, as usual, doubted themselves at the end, and LSU, with a little help from the ref tackling, took advantage. The Bayou Bengals are a confident bunch, especially in the friendly, bourbon soaked confines of Red Stick. And they should be, winning 19 of their last 20 home games. Thank you AR-Kansas for that one loss, but we all know that LSU was undefeated in regulation last year, right Les…

The line of scrimmage will play a huge role in this game. It played a huge role in the Alabama game. We all know what happened there. The Dawgs will be starting the same offensive line lineup as in the Vanderbilt game. When was the last time the Dawgs could say that? LSU will throw DE’s Tyson Jackson and Ricky Jean Francois at them and DT Kirston Pittman. This is a veteran group. I expect the LSU front to occupy the Dawgs’ offensive line all day, in turn opening holes for the LSU linebackers to come free on the blitz. Even though Bo Pelini is gone, LSU still plays a similar blitzing, man-to-man defense that we all got used to when Nick Saban was coaching there.

The key will be the Dawgs’ backs picking up the extra man. Fortunately, Georgia is coached well here. And the Dawgs have an advantage on the outside with MoMass and AJ Green against LSU’s CB’s Jai Eugene (#4) and Chris Hawkins. Eugene is a gifted young player, but if Stafford has time, Eugene will have trouble covering MoMass or Green without safety help. The other CB won’t be as good for LSU. Speaking of safeties, LSU’s Harry Coleman (#24), Curtis Taylor (#27) and Chad Jones (#3) are headhunters in the typical LSU safety mold. Taylor is a veteran and Jones was highly recruited. LSU will bring the safety up, especially at the beginning of the game, to help against Georgia’s running attack.

While very good to this point in the season, I don’t know what to expect from Georgia’s running attack. I’m leaning towards the LSU linebackers, but Knowshon is just so good at changing the game on one drive.

On defense, Georgia will a tough time covering the man opposite Asher Allen’s side. It will either be Demetrius Byrd (#2) or Brandon LaFell (#1) depending on who Allen picks up. Both receivers are very good. And Trindon Holliday (#8), the 5’5”, 165-pound waterbug, is tough to catch. A mini Percy Harvin. Terrance Tolliver (#80) is yet another very good LSU wide receiver. He's the big target at 6'5". Only a sophomore, he plays behind Byrd and LaFell.

Georgia is saved here a bit because of LSU’s quarterback situation. Andrew Hatch (#14) will come in to run the option and throw occasionally, while Jarrett Lee (#12) will come in to throw the ball more. But, Lee’s not a huge threat with only 2 touchdown passes in 4 games. Neither quarterback will be the starter when LSU visits Georgia in 2009. That will probably go to Russell Sheppard, a hot shot recruit. Georgia has to take advantage of LSU's inconsistency at quarterback by pressuring and intercepting some footballs. Georgia has been in good position the last two weeks, but has failed to catch the ball, negating the turnover. Georgia’s defensive backs can’t drop the ball this week. When a turnover presents itself, and it will, it has to be made. If not, Georgia doesn’t win.

Even though LSU has a veteran offensive line with players like Herman Johnson and Ciron Black, I fully expect Georgia to slow down LSU’s running game. Georgia has been great at this all year, with the exception of the Alabama game. But, I don’t expect LSU’s coaching staff to maintain the run as much as Alabama’s coaching staff. Georgia’s defensive line should be ready as well as Georgia’s linebackers. Darryl Gamble is going to play a huge role and he is good enough, with help from Rennie Curran, to carry Georgia’s linebackers. Expect Reshad Jones to continue to help on run support from his safety position. He reads the play quickly now and responds like a cheetah. He’s turning into a combination of Sean Jones and Thomas Davis before our eyes.

With LSU’s quarterback problems, they won’t throw many deep balls, if at all. Georgia should creep up a safety all day and roll the other safety over to help the side opposite of Asher Allen.

As good as LSU is on the lines of scrimmage, I expect their lack of quarterback play to extremely affect the outcome of this contest. And to that, I give a slight advantage to the Dawgs.

Georgia 21, LSU 16

It will be a back and forth affair and the place will be very loud for the entirety of the game. A couple of turnovers should give both teams a short field once. Both teams will cash in on their opportunities. But who scores the touchdown and who kicks the field goal? In the end, what’s there not to like about the Dawgs on the road? They are a road team. And Knowshon will have his game changing drive…he’ll have more than one against the Gators…

On The Road - Illinois

I'm on the road in Illinois for training. 9 hours sittin' in a classroom with a bunch Europeans everyday isn't exactly my idea of fun. At least there has been plenty of news on the college football front to keep my interest. Here's what I'll be watching for this weekend:

1. Can Vandy avoid the hangover from the big win and beat Miss. State? If not, is it fair to say Vandy got Croomed?

2. Texas and Oklahoma - Do you think both teams should quit playing defense and just see who can score most? That would a lot fun to watch (like playing hockey on the Xbox without a goalie.)

3. Is Notre Dame good or is Carolina for real?

4. Can LSU make Tim Tebow cry?

5. Can Georgia get it together and steal Fulmer's donuts?

This just makes me laugh. Gotta love Photoshop.

Aint's No Mountain High Enough: The Alabama Preview

This Saturday's Blackout game vs. Alabama could be more appropriately be called "The Back to Reality Bowl". In 2007, Alabama came in riding high with their new savior, Nick Saban, a perfect record, and a load of confidence. Georgia dominated much of the game only to see Alabama come back and tie it in the waning seconds. But in overtime, Mikey Henderson hauled in a touchdown that sent Alabama on a downward spiral, including a loss to Louisiana-Monroe and a disappointed 6 loss season.

Mikey Henderson's first career touchdown couldn't have come at a better time.

So we find our selves in a similar situation in 2008, with Bama riding an opening weekend win over Clemson to a 4-0 record and a number 8 national ranking. Georgia, while undefeated and rated number 3, finds themselves once again on the defensive after failing to impress voters and falling from their preseason #1 ranking. As in 2008, Richt and the boys have chosen to blackout the visiting school from our Western border state and it should be an electric environment. Hell, even the hated World Wide Leader has decided to bring its show to Athens for the first time in 10 years. This should be one hell of fight.

Who are these guys?
In it's second year under "S the Coach", the Red Elephants have established themselves as a power running team with solid defense capable of scoring points. The offense is directed by 11th year senior John "Pah-kuh" Wilson, who is Alabama's single season record holder for yards passing. Wilson has proven to be a solid game manager, however I wouldn't exactly call him scary. He does however have the services of the best freshman receiver in the country not named AJ Green, one Julio Jones. Jones has all the tools but has yet to have a break out performance. The Dawgs must not let them be the first to be burned by Julio.

Alabama's offensive strength lies in their running game, where Nick Saban has a stable of capable rushers in Glen Coffee, Mark Ingram, Roy Upchurch, and Terry Grant. The bunch is carrying the offense, averaging nearly 250 yards on the ground per game (while averaging 150 yards passing each game). Making holes for this bunch is Alabama's mammoth offensive line, considered by many to be the best in the country.

Defensively, the Crimson Tide bring a defense that is allowing only 9 points a game. Backed by a solid secondary, the Alabama defensive line has wreaked havoc on opposing teams runners and quarterbacks all season. Led the by the huge Terence "Mount" Cody in the middle (look him up on YouTube, it's funny), the d-line shut down Clemson's prized tandem of James Davis and CJ Spiller to open the season and haven't looked back since.

Who does Terance Cody think he is? Only proven fat guys get cool nicknames like "The Fridge"

What is Georgia Going to Do?

Breakout those black jerseys!!! The Dawgs and their fans are going to bring everything they've got to push back the second coming of the Bear. Some people have complained that the Blackout has become cliche', but look at how excited everyone gets. It works and in the end that is all that matters.

Knowshon and Stafford like playing at night!

On offense, I expect Georgia to try and break Knowshon to the outside as much as possible. Cody creates a huge gap to block in the middle, but the quickness of the Georgia line should allow us to cut around the corners and rack up yards in space. If there is a weak point in the Bama D, it is their linebacking crew. As opposed to last week where we threw the ball down towards AJ Green, I look for Bobo to call more screen and quick hitters and let the receivers create yards. The second Bama starts to shut down the outsides for Knowshon, we'll hit passes over the middle or roll out our tight ends.

On defense, we need to continue to bring blitzes when necessary (like we did against ASU, not against SC) and focus on cutting down Bama's ground attack. Make Wilson beat us through the air, not rolling out where he seems to be at his best. If we can control the running game and keep Wilson in the pocket, we should be able to force some bad throws and keep points off the board.

What is Going to Happen?

Like the blackout against Auburn, Georgia will come out full of emotion. Unlike last year, I think Saban may try to use that emotion against us. I look for both teams to try and establish their running games early, but the size and strength of Bama's line will hold us in check early. Bama will most likely take an early lead but by the second quarter Knowshon and Stafford will start picking them apart.

Look for the crowd to get really crazy in the third quarter and help to "Turn the Tide". Georgia will finish strong and win in a close but convincing fashion.

Gameplan: At the end, be celebrating like this.

Georgia 27, Alabama 17





UPDATE!

In honor of Tourette's Guy:





Tonight on Unsolved Mysteries, we try to figure out why Georgia lost it's number 1 ranking to USC....

UPDATE...

USC just got their asses handed to them by Oregon State. A big win this weekend could mean regaining of the top spot in the polls. GATA. GO DAWGS!!!

Manifest Destiny: The Georgia - Arizona State Preview

For years, the critics have knocked Georgia (and other SEC teams) for failing to leave the comfort zone that is the Southeastern United States. All that changes this Saturday, as the Bulldogs head to Arizona to conquer the Sun Devils. This is a first stop of many over the next few seasons that could see the Georgia Empire expand from its humble beginning in the mountains of Northeast Georgia. We hope to conquer the ruling empire of the west coast (USC) later this year, and in coming years conquer the mid west (Oklahoma State), the Rocky Mountains (Colorado), and the Pacific Northwest (Oregon).

I believe we have the right to spread our boundaries across the entire continental US and move right on to Hawaii - Oh, we already conquered Hawaii.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's take a look at the target at hand: Arizona State.

Who are these guys?

The Sun Devils entered 2008 as a sleeper pick for a BCS bowl and why not? In 2007, they won 10 games and technically a share of the Pac-10 title with USC (though to claim it would be like Georgia claiming we won the SEC East in 2007. Only schools like Auburn claim things they technically didn't win.)

13-0 does not equal Championship...when you're Auburn.

The Devils are led by senior quarterback Rudy Carpenter, known for passing prowess as well as his bad attitude. He passed for over 3,200 yards and 25 five touchdowns and has a solid core of receivers in Mike Jones, Chris McGaha, and Kyle Williams, who together combined for 17 touchdowns in '07. The Sun Devil rushing attack is led by Dimitri Nanace, however has only averaged (as a team) 117 yards per game against rather weak opponents early on in '08. The question on offense coming into '08 was the O-line, which allowed 55 sacks last year. They have only allowed 4 so far this year, but don't be surprised if you see more of the hits like the one where USC kills Rudy over and over

(http://www.youtube.com/v/QaIM_yGOlYc&hl=en&fs=1) - I'm having trouble embedding video right now.

On defense, ASU returns seven starters from the '07 squad that allowed an average of 22.5 points a game. Their defense looks like Superman coming into this game, allowing only 295 yards a game. However, this was against weak competition and we all saw how solid their defense was holding a lead against UNLV last week.

What is Georgia going to do?

If we learned anything last week at South Carolina, I hope it is that we need a healthy dose of Knowshon (and Caleb) to help set up the passing game for Stafford. If you shut down the running game, it forces us to have to throw shorter passes to make up for lost downs. On the offensive side of the ball, I'd like to see Knowshon get 25 carries and Caleb about 12. This should allow Stafford to torch the ASU secondary with a mix of passes over the middle and deep balls. We definitely need a better performance by our receiving crew and don't be surprised if AJ Green catches 6 or more passes this week.

On defense, the weaknesses shown during the 4th quarter last week do scare me. Carpenter is the heart of ASU and if he is having a good day their offense will move the ball down the field. We need to ditch the constant zone and bring blitz. This line is not that good (as evident by their performance last year) and we should be able to get to Carpenter at least 4 times.

Coach Martinez: Please let the Liberian nightmare run wild!

What will happen?

This game could be a back and forth offensive battle. Look for both teams to score quick and early on as the defenses settle in. I look for this to turn into a game similar to the '07 Oklahoma State game, where Georgia's offense pours it on in the second half while clamping down on D. Knowshon should have a huge day (150 yards or more).

Georgia 38, Arizona State 23

UGA Preview: ACC Edition

Well, as the Dawgs roll into ACC country, er, Williams-Brice Stadium this Saturday, it’s not like they’ll be facing some mighty team or anything (Wow, Vandy has a winning streak going against the Cocks, something the Dawgs can’t claim)…

Really? What kind of respectable SEC team has this kind of artwork? I guess being a charter member of the ACC is never too far away from your heart...

The Head Ball Coach has announced that he will play both Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher against the Dawgs on Saturday. No surprise here…it’s the HBC…and both Smelley and Beecher have been suspect in the first two Cackalacky games. Don’t be surprised to see three quarterbacks play, including some designated plays for Stephen Garcia. There’s no Danny Wuerffel in the group or Terry Dean for that matter.

Stephen Garcia's entire college future rode on this very putt.

Kenny McKinley’s injury looms large for South Carolina. Wide receivers are important in HBC’s offense, especially when he doesn’t have many. McKinley is one of the best wide receivers in the SEC. He might go, but will be extremely limited if he does. Watch out for Jared Cook (#84). He’ll be the Cocks leading target (I won’t make the joke) even if McKinley plays banged up. HBC likes to move him around the field, lining up in the slot as well as outside. Cook caught 8 passes for 111 yards against Vandy.

There's something she likes about Jared Cook.

South Carolina’s defense has been a strength against the Dawgs for a long time. It completely fell apart last season after the loss of LB Jasper Brinkley to injury. They couldn’t stop the run and Darren McFadden is still dreaming of playing their defense again. However, because South Carolina plays Georgia so early in the season, injuries and depth issues usually aren’t as big of a concern for the Cocks as they are later in the year (when they face Florida and Tennessee).

However, against the Dawgs last year, South Carolina’s defense was dominant, holding the Dawgs to 4 field goals. Jasper Brinkley (the thinner version) had a great day in Athens. It was the first and last time I’ve seen Mike Bobo forget about his game plan. The Dawgs threw the ball 44 times on a day when Knowshon Moreno had over 100 yards on just 14 carries. Ever since that day, Coach Bobo has stuck with his game plan, even when losing the game. Look for the Dawgs to stick to their guns in Columbia on Saturday.

Don't forget, Dawg fans, never forget

The Cocks have many good players on defense that can keep their team in games, but too many of them are playing out of position this year, including a bulked up Jasper Brinkley. Eric Norwood, a converted defensive end playing both linebacker and defensive end this year, is another example of the Cocks trying to get many of their best players on the field at the same time. This has created heavier linebackers at South Carolina, which usually results in slower linebackers. Look for Knowshon to have a field day.

Many Dawg teams have struggled in Columbia, but don’t look for this one to. The Cocks are a bit down on themselves after the Vandy loss, and the Dawgs couldn’t be riding any higher coming into town. Revenge will be on the Dawgs' minds. Let’s hope it gets ugly in Columbia. I think it will.

Prediction: Georgia 38, South Carolina 13

Let's end with an old school pic...

UGA Preview: Tebow Wears LeFevour Pajamas

The Central Michigan Chippewas visit the Classic City tomorrow. What the hell is a Chippewa, and is there anything it can do to harm a Bulldog? Probably not. Expect Georgia to handle its business this week in a professional fashion. Just as professional as some of the Chippewas at the Michigan State Capitol (above), sans the letter jackets and the pimps and hoes party in the front left.

That being said, Central Michigan does know how to win (see two-time defending MAC champion), and as Coach Richt has said numerous times in the past he'd much rather play a team that's used to losing (maybe like a South Carolina) than a team that knows how to win. However, the Chippewas haven't really gotten over the hump against BCS opponents, losing last season to Kansas 52-7; Purdue 45-22; Clemson 70-14; and a I-AA power North Dakota State 44-14.

We've all heard about how good Dan LeFevour is at quarterback. He's the MAC's version of Tim Tebow in that he can throw and run. In Central Michigan's 31-12 defeat of Eastern Illinois (directional Midwestern schools, you gotta love 'em, don't you know) last week, LeFevour completed 21 of 31 passes for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns in a game that wasn't close (since when does Central Michigan get a warm up opponent?). He should give the Dawgs some problems in the first half, but it will end there.

If only CMU fans could actually spell their QB's name correctly then Tebow might actually wear those pajamas

Coach Rich Rod wishes he had LeFevour running his spread attack at Michigan. Who would you rather have, the MAC's version of Tebow or a quarterback who couldn't hack it at the North Avenue Trade School?

Nerds!

CMU just isn't all LeFevour though. RB Ontario Sneed finished last week with 88 yards on 13 attempts. But I can only imagine Knowshon's or Caleb's or Richard's numbers against Eastern Illinois. So take that for what its worth.

The real reason the Dawgs will run away and hide is CMU's atrocious defense. They gave up 70 points to Clemson. Clemson! How many times did CJ Spiller and James Davis touch the ball in that game? I'm guessing the same number as you, probably not as many as those 9 attempts against Alabama (keep wearing purple, Tammy, the color fits).

Prediction: Georgia 48, CMU 20 (Richt holds it under 50)

The Dawgs will handle their business here and get ready for Columbia. You heard it here: it will get ugly in Columbia. The Cocks usually think they're world beaters at 2-0 (against creampuffs) when they play Georgia. This year, there is zero confidence in Cockaboose land after last night's defeat. Combine that with Georgia's revenge and the USC-Ohio State game being played on the same day.....the Dawgs will be ready.

UGA Preview: Georgia Southern

Every 4 years our little brother comes to town to catch up. And, inevitably, we get together for a little game of football. Not many large programs are willing to do that for their in-state bretheren. Do you see Alabama playing Troy? Of course not for fear that Troy might hold up 6 fingers one day too. But, at least Bama helps out LSU's in-state bretheren every once in a while. They even gave UL-Monroe enough money to buy a nice, big billboard.

Onto the game at hand...This year's Georgia Southern isn't the same Georgia Southern we've all come to know and cheer for over the years in 1-AA (I refuse to call it FBS or FCS or whatever). When Chris Hatcher showed up from Valdosta State, he was Southern's 3rd coach in 13 months, thanks to our former defensive coordinator. Hatcher has installed a form of the spread offense that is sweeping the college football landscape. On top of the continuing transition from the years and years of option football to the spread, Southern has suspended 8 players for the Georgia game, including 4 starters. Expect Georgia to cover the 31-point or so line in this one, even though we all know that the Dawgs have a hard time covering these kinds of lines.

What to watch for...with inexperience streaming across the Dawgs' offensive line, look for Southern to try to confuse Georgia with their base 3-3-5 defense. The key recognition by Georgia's offensive line pre-snap will be how many Southern defenders are actually in the box. Southern will constantly use its Rover and Bandit positions (Chris Covington and Chris Rogers), formerly the safeties, to roam in and out of the box depending on what kind of offensive look Georgia is giving them.

Georgia couldn't ask for anything better in the opener than a team it can easily handle with a confusing defense. It will give the Dawgs' offensive line plenty of different looks to go up against. But, expect Southern to jam the box with 8 or 9 defenders early trying to create the big play through turnovers.

Offensively, Southern will use two quarterbacks, Lee Chapple, who played high school ball at Greater Atlanta Christian and handed off to Caleb King, and Ohio State transfer, and a Peach County product, Antonio Henton. It will be a spread offense look that will help the Dawgs prepare for other spread attacks they will see this season.

In the end, there's not too much to break down here as Georgia just has too many athletes for Southern to hang around. Hatcher will eventually have Southern back to what it once was in 1-AA, but this isn't the year.