Previewing Georgia / Gameday Open Thread
by Gamecock Man on Sep 12, 2008 9:48 PM EDT
in Football
42 comments
Georgia Bulldogs at South Carolina Gamecocks, Sep 13, 2008 3:30 PM EDT
Down, boy.
Time to take on the #2 Georgia Bulldogs in Columbia. Below are my three keys to winning this game.
Keep the Defense Off the Field
Because we have a defense that should be able to at least slow UGA down, we don't need to score a lot of points to have a chance in this game. However, we can't afford to have (1) tons of three-and-outs and (2) another turnover-prone performance. If we can't keep our defense off the field, they'll eventually tire of the mid-day heat, and if the heat doesn't get them, the "we have to win this game, because the offense sure isn't going to" mentality will. It happened in the second half against Vandy, and Georgia will hardly be more forgiving.
Field Position
First of all, we can't give UGA a short field. Again, Vandy burned us when we gave them a short field last week, and UGA will do the same. This means limiting the turnovers and special teams blunders that have plagued us since last year's Florida game.
Second of all, with an offense as poor as ours is right now, some nice kick returns that lead to easier scores would be really nice. Chris Culliver and Captain Munnerlyn have shown some potential, so I have hopes that we can produce some game changing plays in this area.
Offensive Improvements/Adjustments
Where to start? First of all, we need serious improvement from the offensive line. No more missed assignments and no more false start or holding penalties. UGA is going to bring it to us tomorrow, so I hope John Hunt has done something to get these guys to play smarter, tougher football.
Relatedly, I want to see us establish a running game tomorrow. Let's face it: we don't have a great QB and we're missing our star wideout, but we do have a talented senior RB in Mike Davis. I'd also like to see Stephen Garcia come in and run the ball a bit. Granted, our run blocking has been putrid so far, so getting the run going is going to be easier said than done.
Prediction
Let's be honest: our chances aren't great in this game. If we play like we've played the last two weeks, we'll lose by three touchdowns, and even if we play really well, it's still going to be a tough, tough game.
I do think we have a chance, though. If our offense can play at least relatively mistake free ball and our defense continues to play the way it's been playing, we should have a chance to take the game late. If we do these things, I expect a big play or two to make the difference, so let's hope that we get some help from the return game and that our defense not only plays well but plays opportunistically.
If we play our best ball, I'm going to say that we win 20-16, reversing the score from the infamous 2004 game. If we don't play our best, though, expect a depressing game.
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If you guys play your very best ball...
and UGA plays average I still say UGA wins by a TD. You’ll have to be like a +3 in TO ratio to win.
by LSU Jonno on Sep 12, 2008 11:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jonno...
Gotta disagree with you. Like I said, if we can go an entire game without giving up a turnover (like we did against UGA last year), our defense should keep the score low enough for us to have a chance late even if UGA doesn’t have a lot of turnovers, either. And if we do have a +3 turnover ratio, I think we’ll def. win.
I’m not saying that it’s likely. I really don’t like our chances this afternoon. But if everything comes together, we’ll have a chance. Don’t you remember Kentucky and Arkansas last year? Did you think they had chances against LSU, especially Kentucky?
Go Cocks!
by Gamecock Man on Sep 13, 2008 9:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is one of those games...
… in which our inherent dislike of the OBC is superceded by a vastly greater phenomenon: sheer, visceral hatred and rage toward those pukes wearing black and red.
We will be pulling for Spurrier and your Gamecocks. Hard.
BEAT THEM. Give Spurrier a glorious win, something he can talk about next year on his retirement-book signing circuit (I kid, I kid.)
Now, for all this worldbeater talk.
There is a part of me that believes — truly believes — that Georgia is mostly hype this year. You go back a year ago and there wasn’t all the much hoopla surrounding this team. Now, because they finished strong, have a good tailback, beat the Gators for the third time in 17 years, and smashed an inferior opponent in a BCS bowl, college footbaw is-a-twitter over the “Dawgs”.
This team is beatable, I say, and Spurrier is the ultimate kryptonite to their current Superman status.
Again, BEAT THEM.
Gator Nation stands behind you and allied with you, for one day — today.
Make us all proud.
BEAT THEM.
Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com
by Gatorpilot on Sep 13, 2008 9:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gatorpilot...
Man, if you’re sending us the good vibes today, maybe we really do have a chance. Thanks for stopping by. I agree about the Georgia hype and have talked about it before, but I’m not going to get into right now. Don’t want to jinx us before the game. You’ve seen my PowerPoll ballot, so you know where I stand.
Maybe it’s just the joy of Saturday and a big game on the horizon. Maybe it’s my eternal optimism. Maybe it’s the fact that this game is typically one of our best performances each year. Maybe it’s also the fact that Spurrier would love to win this one like no other. But I do think we’ve got a chance today.
Go Cocks!
by Gamecock Man on Sep 13, 2008 10:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Goal: Dignity intact
Sorry, but that’ll be enough to make me happy.
by cocknfire on Sep 13, 2008 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No...
Forget dignity. I want to win this game.
Go Cocks!
by Gamecock Man on Sep 13, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Two screens to start the game
Yeah, that was smart
by cocknfire on Sep 13, 2008 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Memo: The screen isn't working
Stop trying it
by cocknfire on Sep 13, 2008 4:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
we just gain yards by penalties?
by skywalker on Sep 13, 2008 4:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow. Have these refs ever worked a game before???
And bad PI, but against our favorite DeAngelo Hall imitator
by cocknfire on Sep 13, 2008 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
my grandma
could of ref’d this game way better
by skywalker on Sep 13, 2008 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
worst call I've seen yet this year
Go Cocks!
by Gamecock Man on Sep 13, 2008 4:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Could we try having just four blown tackles a play?
I think five is overdoing it a bit…
by cocknfire on Sep 13, 2008 4:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
refs or not...
Smelley smells likes flowers!
Go Cocks!
by Gamecock Man on Sep 13, 2008 4:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Halftime thoughts
Let’s not be afraid of passing downfield anymore, mkay?
We get tackling or we get coverage. We rarely seem to be getting both. This hasn’t hurt us as much as it could have, because Spurrier is still using his Jedi mind tricks on Stafford.
More Garcia. He had one good play, and then he was gone.
We got lucky on the last drive. Bobo’s decision to go with a QB keeper off the play fake on that third down play was just boneheaded.
It’s nice to lead, but the week is running out of possible upsets already, and we have to play better in the second half or Georgia will end up winning.
by cocknfire on Sep 13, 2008 5:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dropped passes by UGA WRs also helped
Almost forgot that one
by cocknfire on Sep 13, 2008 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
passing downfield...
Yeah. The touchdown was classic, Gator-era Spurrier—short run sets up a long pass. We need to run the ball more, and we need to look for the big play if we can get them on their heels.
I agree though, we need to play better in many ways to win this game. Georgia has dropped a lot of passes. Don’t expect them to continue doing so.
Go Cocks!
by Gamecock Man on Sep 13, 2008 5:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Notre Dame up 28-17 over Michigan
Ouch
by cocknfire on Sep 13, 2008 5:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You have to admit, though...
This defense is good enough to win games as long as our offense gives up no turnovers. If not for the bad calls and us not getting that fumble, we might have a big lead here. This is an SEC-caliber D with a MAC-caliber O. Hopefully Spurrier will make the right adjustments and get us a couple more scores.
Game on!
Go Cocks!
by Gamecock Man on Sep 13, 2008 5:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Optimistic thoughts...
This was the 2nd ranked team in the country. This team has a good defense. If Smelley plays like that against Ole Miss, UK, UT, etc., we can win big games.
The bad side: Mike Davis gets the award for this game’s typical Cock blunder.
But I really think this team can win some big games.
Go Cocks!
by Gamecock Man on Sep 13, 2008 7:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Another "moral victory."
Meanwhile, the Gamecocks are 1-7 in their last 8 games. Awesome.
--Robert
by a gamecock fan on Sep 13, 2008 7:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great game, as always
As I said in my responses to Gamecock Man’s interview questions, I expected this to be the same sort of low-scoring defensive struggle it always is, with South Carolina being stout against the run and quick around the perimeter.
I wish I hadn’t been right, of course, but I expected no less from a Gamecock squad that played us as tough as ever in Columbia. It was a hard-fought, down-to-the-wire battle, as always, and I salute a worthy competitor on a well-played game. You may rest assured that I will be pulling for the Garnet and Black the rest of the way.
As for Gatorpilot’s earlier comment, you stay classy, Gainesville.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Sep 13, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
U 2 LOL
See you soon, T.K.K. :)
Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com
by Gatorpilot on Sep 14, 2008 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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