Georgia’s best chance vs. Alabama may be to step on gas
Aaron Murray has 14 touchdowns and no interceptions in last 17 quarters. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
ATHENS – When gazing at the nation’s leaders among college football defenses, Alabama doesn’t stand out statistically so much as it leaps off the page, stomps on cars, knocks over skyscrapers, swats away missiles and terrorizes women, children and offensive coordinators.
The Crimson Tide rank No. 1 nationally in total defense. Also No. 2 in rush defense, No. 3 in pass defense, No. 1 in scoring defense, No. 1 in red zone defense. It has shut out four opponents, held seven to 10 points or less and all except one to 17 or less.
Which begs the question: All except one?
Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin relatively humbled Nick Saban three weeks ago with his hyperventilating, no-huddle offense. The Aggies upset then No. 1 Alabama 29-24, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions, accumulating the second-most yards (418) and the most red zone possessions (five) of any Tide opponent.
The most amusing thing about this was it came after Saban had questioned the “fairness” and “player safety” of Sumlin’s scheme, because that sounded better than saying, “I can’t substitute players. Make him stop.” (That would make him sound flawed.)
Jay Rome (87) celebrates his touchdown against Georgia Tech with Keith Marshall (4) and Malcolm Mitchell. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
Which leads me to this four-word suggestion for Georgia going into Saturday’s SEC championship game against Alabama: Step on the gas.
The Bulldogs scored touchdowns on six of their first seven possessions in last week’s 42-10 win over Georgia Tech. No drive lasted longer than two minutes, 42 seconds. It was the SEC meets Formula 1.
One acknowledgement: Georgia had the advantage of going against Georgia Tech’s defense, which hasn’t really stopped any scheme this season (59th in total defense, 84th in scoring defense). But the Dogs’ offense has become increasingly proficient in a fast-pace, no-huddle offense this season.
Quarterback Aaron Murray also has been at his best and most efficient of late. Since the fourth quarter of the Florida game (17 quarters), Murray has 14 touchdown passes and zero interceptions. In the last four starts, he has completed over 74 percent of his passes (71 of 97).
“We can go very fast, relatively fast or we can be at the line of scrimmage for a long time,” Mark Richt said when asked if Murray has become increasingly comfortable in a fast-pace offense. “We have three different tempos we use. We’re not like the Oregons of the world, where just about every single play we’re going at break-neck speed. But we can go at a pretty good pace.”
Georgia has managed to do this despite losing arguably their two best receivers for the season, Marlon Brown and Michael Bennett.
Richt cautioned against drawing too many conclusions from Alabama’s loss to Texas A&M.
“I don’t know if it was the tempo they had problems with as much as (Heisman favorite) Johnny Manziel,” he said. “He creates problems obviously for everybody because he can scramble, so it changes the mindset of defenses. Not to say the tempo wasn’t an issue as well.”
Georgia tight end Jay Rome, who had a 24-yard touchdown reception in the Tech game, said, “I feel like when we speed things up and [make] plays, it puts a lot of pressure on the defense.
Receiver Rhett McGowan, who also had a touchdown against the Jackets, said, “Of course, as a receiver, I love it. When we have a lot of receivers on the field, it spreads out the defense, puts pressure on their (defensive backs) and also takes somebody out of the box, which means our running backs can make plays.”
(Murray did not make himself available for comment this week on the offense. Or anything else.)
This isn’t to suggest that an up-tempo no-huddle offense is the only way to beat Alabama. But it’s the only thing that has worked this season.
Besides, I figure any concept that prompts Saban to sound almost shaken — “We should look at how fast we allow the game to go in terms of player safety. You can’t substitute defensive players. You go on a 14-, 16-, 18-play drive and they’re snapping the ball as fast as you can and all your players are walking around and can’t even get lined up.” — is worth several pages in a game plan.
Because not much else against Alabama has worked.
– By Jeff Schultz
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434 comments Add your comment
HUH?????
November 27th, 2012
6:19 pm
FYI: The closest SEC Championship game was back in 97 when TN defeated AU by one point. THAT was a classic game because Auburn almost upset the greatest qb who ever played in the SEC.
Duke LaCross
November 27th, 2012
6:30 pm
Dogs lack of discipline and jaw jacking posturing will lead to them getting a flogging.
The Plain Truth
November 27th, 2012
6:31 pm
Go Dawgs! Time to show them the REAL UGA team.
Good idea. Have the UGA team members come with their lawyers, bail bondsmen, and probation officers, plus the arresting officers. That’s the REAL UGA team.
Motocross Survivor
November 27th, 2012
6:37 pm
UGA won’t be playing Mudpie State this weekend. We’ll see how it goes.
Yes, mutt, you can supersize those fries!
November 27th, 2012
6:38 pm
If you’ve missed getting your UGA team autographs this year, don’t fret. In 2-3 years, you can get their autographs when you go through your local fast food drive-through. If not there, look in office buildings until you find the sap pushing a broom or a mop.
What a great legacy.
travis nunnally
November 27th, 2012
6:39 pm
GTBob, you are a true fan, by that i mean, when the players are hot, they plug you in and you blow them. Only cowards criticize while hiding behind a screen name.
OkieDawg
November 27th, 2012
6:40 pm
Haters gonna Hate…But in the last couple of days, the haters have ratcheted it up a few notches. And that is strange considering we are entering the giving season. This is, after all, a game played between very young men. This does not change normal peoples lives.
Jerry Seinfeld
November 27th, 2012
6:44 pm
“We had our opportunity in Jacksonville, and we didn’t get it done. That’s our fault. Nobody else’s.”
- Will Muschamp
At least he’s honest and isn’t being a whiny baby like Florida and South Carolina fans. Something to keep in mind is that when UGA won the East last season, they often failed to put the bad teams away. They would still win and deserved to, but would beat average teams by a couple of touchdowns. This year, they are blowing those teams out of the water like they did against , Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech, and are playing their best football in the second half. We will see if Georgia is a very good team that can’t beat GREAT teams like Alabama or if they truly are a great team once they play Alabama. There’s nothing wrong with being in the top 10, but if they beat Bama, they will prove they belong in the title game.
UGA24-7
November 27th, 2012
6:49 pm
GTbob…IF UGA schedule was one game and the rest were just an “easy” schedule then by that logic we should just disband the acc because every week it’s just a bunch of teams that are weak
DP
November 27th, 2012
6:54 pm
“This year, they are blowing those teams out of the water like they did against , Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech, and are playing their best football in the second half.”
Jerry, remind us about how Georgia blew 0-8 Kentucky and 1-7 Tennessee out of the water.
UGA24-7
November 27th, 2012
6:55 pm
Oh but please continue about SEC and our “cupcake” schedule but please tell us who has a hard schedule…..SEC DOMINATES…….#DAWGSONTOP
GEORGIA dome
November 27th, 2012
7:01 pm
Step on the gas.
O'Ventbrel
November 27th, 2012
7:01 pm
Its pretty ridiculous how easy the schedules were for both UGA and Alabama. They both went 1-1 against the legit opponents they faced, but the rest of the competition was average at best otherwise. When Michigan and Mississippi State are the toughest teams played outside of those 4 games, you know the schedule is favorable.
O'Ventbrel
November 27th, 2012
7:04 pm
Its pretty ridiculous how easy the schedules were for both UGA and Bama. Both went 1-1 against the legit opponents on the schedule, but the rest of the opposition was average at best otherwise. When Michigan and Mississippi State are the toughest teams outside of those other four games, you know the schedule is favorable.
Tonyb
November 27th, 2012
7:04 pm
Hey GTBob, the only thing I was laughing at was watching your team tap out against UGA. Don’t believe me? Just go ask your coach.
O'Ventbrel
November 27th, 2012
7:11 pm
Other than Bama playing A&M and LSU, and UGA playing SC and Florida, neither team has played much competition. When Michigan and Mississippi State are the best teams you play outside of those four games, you the schedule is favorable.
JB at home
November 27th, 2012
7:17 pm
Dawgs HAVE GOT TO refrain from getting up after plays and hitting,pushing or mouthing a Alabama player. The SEC machine, ( Slive & Refs) want Bama to play ND, not us. We will be on a short rope with the refs.
Burma Shave
November 27th, 2012
7:20 pm
The Tide will be rolling
They’ll be at their best
While the dawgs fart around
Bama passes the test
BURMA SHAVE
Steve
November 27th, 2012
7:23 pm
Well it’s good to see that little Burma Shave finally passed the 5th grade. Good job!
JB at home
November 27th, 2012
7:23 pm
Is the Tech/FSU game on TV?
Steve
November 27th, 2012
7:27 pm
JB at home, I am sure some poor network is obligated to broadcast it.
travis nunnally
November 27th, 2012
7:32 pm
Bama has played in 3 big games in the last 2 years, LSU twice, Texas A&M once. Only 1 win. – Colin Cowherd
Dawgs88
November 27th, 2012
7:33 pm
All this crap about Alabama being unbeatable is simply bull. Alabama is a great team yes, but they’re not that impressive this season to me. Like Georgia, they have run up big numbers against crap teams. Alabama was beaten by a Texas A&M team that has a ton of offense and only decent defense. Heck they should’ve lost to LSU, but the Tigers’ defense practically gave away that last drive and handed them the win with that stupid prevent defense. It wasn’t hard to see that Bama’s defense was wearing about halfway through the 3rd quarter of the LSU game, and seemed lost during the A&M game.
I love all these Bama fans calling Georgia’s schedule weak as well. In case you Bama fans aren’t aware, Georgia can’t control the fact that a lot of the SEC East teams are so poor this year. But both teams have played plenty of crap teams so get over it. The Tide played Western Kentucky, Florida Atlantic, and Western Carolina so there was plenty BS on their schedule too. Yes Georgia’s schedule was a little weaker, and they got blown out by South Carolina because they played poorly no doubt, but at least they were a #6 team at the time. When Bama lost to A&M they were ranked #15! Heck Georgia defeated Florida who was #2 at the time by a larger margin than Bama beat LSU who was then #5. In fact several of Georgia’s victories would be even more lopsided if Richt and Bobo didn’t let off the gas so soon in my opinion. Anyway you want to look at it, this should be a good close game if both teams play to their best, but Alabama is not unbeatable by any means.
Lee Corso
November 27th, 2012
7:33 pm
It’s good to see GTBob on the UGA blog since there is nothing worth blogging about related to GT.
By the way GTBob, that GT-FSU matchup is sure to be a classic – for FSU fans. You will be able to buy that whooping on DVD no later than Monday from the FSU bookstore. Hey, they may even throw in a pair of free shoes.
Justin
November 27th, 2012
7:33 pm
UGA claim to fame – we own GA
We own the SEC and BCS. UGA won’t get respect until they knock us off.
Roll Damn Tide!!
JB at home
November 27th, 2012
7:35 pm
Bravo Dawgs88
JB at home
November 27th, 2012
7:36 pm
Justin, in case you are 6, Bama sucked between Stallings and Saban. Hell, we beat you 2 or 3 times…LOL
Justin
November 27th, 2012
7:38 pm
Trying living in the present JB. Just the facts, ma’am. Beat us before you can talk. I’ll be the first to back UGA vs. ND in the BCSCG
JB at home
November 27th, 2012
7:39 pm
Glad to have you Justin. Ought to be able to get Georgia wear at the closest Wal Mart at the state line.
travis nunnally
November 27th, 2012
7:44 pm
UGA 3 wins and 1 lose against Saban, just the facts, Ma’am.
Ideas
November 27th, 2012
7:44 pm
Munson spoke to me from up in heaven and said we will step on them with a hob-nail boot….
Sammy
November 27th, 2012
7:48 pm
Jeff,
I disagree with you completely that nothing else has worked against Bama.
LSU, Mettenberger went at a slow pace, and coimpleted 70% of his passes, just ripped them apart and dominated the Bama defense.
Manziel did it with his mobility, AND the fast pace.
Basically, nothing any ranked SEC team has tried to do has FAILED against the Bama defense.
Everything has worked.
Buckeye Bill
November 27th, 2012
7:51 pm
The SEC had 6 very good teams and six weak teams this year. Most years, some of the “bottom six” are good enough to pull off an upset or two. That did not happen this year, leaving us with 6 highly ranked teams losing only to each other. These teams played only a couple decent non-conference teams leaving the question of just how good are they? If UGA or BAMA pound the Irish, that question will be answered, but if they win by 7 or less hen the question remains. If my Buckeyes had only taken the bowl ban last year, the SEC would be sitting home watching OSU and ND play in Miami. That would have been a scream listening to the SEC fans complaining about the BCS.
Sammy
November 27th, 2012
7:54 pm
In case you’re wondering, the Bama defense, against ANY ranked SEC team this year:
1- gave up 70-78% accuracy on passing
2- gave up 135+ yards rushing
Basically, EVERYTHING worked on Bama’s defense on any DECENT SEC team they played.
NOTHING FAILED.
Rush? Yes
pass? Yes
UGA is the HIGHEST ranked SEC team Bama has faced.
Expect UGA’s offense to:
1- Run for 150+ yards–gurley & Marshall are better than any backfield in the nation
2- Score 30 points–UGA is better than A & M
3- Complete 70% of passes and average OVER 9 yards per pass (Sorry, Murray better than Mettenberger and Manziel and is No 1 in passer efficiency and yards per pass attempt in the NATION)
JB at home
November 27th, 2012
7:55 pm
No doubt Bill. OSU gets the benefit of the doubt over ANY one. The press/sportswriters would give their left n_t to have Ohio St. in the game. Weak schedule can be painted on them also. They play 2 or 3 tough games only also like SEC teams.
JB at home
November 27th, 2012
7:56 pm
I think Bama bleeds when smacked. I think they will be surprised Saturday.
North Georgia Dawg
November 27th, 2012
7:58 pm
Keep hating on Georgia, you pathetic morons. Get a life. I bet a bunch of you weren’t on these boards after the Florida game or else went into hiding until you could back a team (Bama) that has a good chance to beat us. Then you pathetic dorks can get behind Bama even though most of you care nothing about the Tide and can celebrate if they beat us.
Ronald L. White, JD
November 27th, 2012
7:59 pm
Aaron Murray, is not Johnny Manziel, who will win the Heisman Trophy, while Murray, will watch Notre Dame, will play Alabama, for the title, which Alabama, will win.
Dose of Reality
November 27th, 2012
8:02 pm
“It’s not Georgia’s fault that Tennessee, Missouri and Kentucky sucked either.”
C’mon Man, EVERYONE, including their own fans and coaches knew that those teams would suck this year!!!!!!
bahits.com
November 27th, 2012
8:02 pm
Get Marshall and Gurley in some at the same time. Bobo should try to get his best playmakers on the field at the same time.
Also, I hope Josh Harvey Clemens gets some play at wide receiver. I bet he can get down field and block the socks off someone.
North Georgia Dawg
November 27th, 2012
8:06 pm
All of the Georgia haters love to bring up Bama even if they care nothing for the Tide because they know Alabama has been better than us. I know it’s going to take a really good game from the dawgs and especially the offensive line and Murray for us to be able to beat Alabama. But if Georgia wins, I am going to laugh my butt off and read these boards after that. Georgia playing for the national championship game? If Georgia plays in the championship, I don’t know what some of the Gator/Tech/Auburn fans I know are going to do with themselves. They are going to be so miserable hahaha.
Buckeye Bill
November 27th, 2012
8:07 pm
Urban “Legend” Meyer will make it 24-0 next year. I do think he is shocked his Gators only had one down year after he left. He did not recruit well his last 2 years at FL and that is partly why he “retired”.
Now he is sporting Buckeye nuts in the shadow of sweater vest Tressel, and the legendary Woody Hayes.
We need to mention SC here
November 27th, 2012
8:07 pm
U of SC hired three coaches that won a MNC as a head coach at another school. Paul Dietzel, Spurrier and Lou Holtz.. They also hired Brad Scott of FSU MNC fame, while an assistant coach there.
SC has won nothing with these formerly ultra successful coaches and was on the losing end of the worst whupping in SCE CG history.
Steve
November 27th, 2012
8:16 pm
Gotta love these loser Buckeye “fans” coming on these blogs and running their mouths out of nowhere. They are not even in the SEC. I mean how stupid would UGA fans look going to some Ohio newspapers website and running their mouths? Pretty stupid I would say. Ohio State is nothing. Yea, 12-0 this year with ZERO pressure knowing they could not go to a bowl game. 2 losses at least next year since it will “count.” I just can’t get over the jealousy by Buckeye, Florida, and Tech fans on these blogs. UGA could beat Bama and ND and they would still be on here crying, love it.
kingdaddy
November 27th, 2012
8:25 pm
Schultz
Nice storyline. Tells me that one of the things UGA has to do to win is get their Defense out of sync. Anything to get them out of rhythm. We don’t have to score much, we just have to score more than them, lol…
Concerned
November 27th, 2012
8:30 pm
Come on guys. Bama is supposed to be the better team, and until we beat them they are The National Champions. It is not their fault they did not win the SEC last year, and that the SEC combo BCS is flawed. Alabama got a second chance very late last season, and should not have. Regardless of the win against LSU in their rematch, it should have not happen.
As for this year, would Georgia like it if their next game after the SEC Championship was Florida again? I ask that question because that almost happen, provided Georgia beat Alabama. Not a good system at all because Texas A & M may be the best team at this point in the season. I beat not one team would like to have to beat them to get to the NC. How about we have Notre Dame play them to get to the winner of Bama and the Dawgs. Fair since ND does not have a semi-final game.
Anyway, I like the Dawgs as they are like a Blue Chip Equity that is having a heck of a close to the 4th quarter. I said it before, that I felt the cancers were gone, and the true players now would develop, and they have.
Look back on week three and four as we still did not have players back, we were still wondering about our backs, linebackers, and offensive line. Times have greatly changed, and GT Bob is drunk by now wondering why his Dad dressed him in Yellow, Black, and White and gave him a bumble bee for Christmas. The colors never looked right, and the Bee never buzzed.
Go Dawgs
CigarDawg
November 27th, 2012
8:33 pm
Like it or not, UGA is 11-1. If the rest of you non-UGA alumni/fans, don’t have anything but jealousy and hatred to spew here, and I am speaking specifically to you, GTBoob, have the decency to spew it on your own team’s blog. UGA has silenced your teams, so you have nothing to add to the conversation this year.
If you are a South Carolina alumnus/fan, then congratulations – again. You played the best game of your season to beat us and went back to being irrelevant. You won and are now a footnote in our season. We appreciate your support but don’t need to hear anything else from you.
Now on to the harsh fact that Richt and Booboo are probably going to get out-coached this Saturday and we will look like fools going to the Capital 1 or Outback Bowl.
GwinnettDad
November 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
I would love the Dawgs to win. Do I think they will? No. I’ll be as pleased as anybody to enjoy a victory. It is just that all my life, when it comes to games like this, the team I like loses. For once, I hope that’s not the case.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
So let me see, since the 4th quarter of the UF game Murray has been at his best!!!!!!!
Really? 4th quarter? We’re skipping the 3 INTs? Okay, whatever, so let’s see who UGA played… 6-6 Ole Miss, 3-9 Auburn, FCS school (doesn’t matter their record they’re FCS), 6-6 Georgia Tech. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not a winning record in there anywhere.
He played two good teams, both times he sucked. One time you lost and egged his house, the other you won because overrated Florida turned the ball over not twice, three times, four times, five times, but SIX times, and still almost tied.
Also, don’t forget that Johnny Football > Aaron Murray and Johnny Football is prepping to make a Heisman speech. And I’m sorry, he’s prepping to do so because he beat the team Spurrier said could beat an NFL team. That’s why he’s going to be there, but we don’t make the same mistake twice… ask LSU.
So keep putting stupid stuff up Schultz and Badley, and we’ll keep knocking them down.
ALABAMA…
ROLL TIDE!!!!!!
SouthernGent
November 27th, 2012
8:41 pm
GTBob … once again proving that even an idiot can type. Joey, don’t waste time giving GTB any live links. He is on dial up from his momma’s basement. To get high speed, he will have to stand in line at the elementary school. For all these folks who are saying either team backed in or had no schedule, the truth is they both played similar strength of schedules. In so many ways they look very much alike. I see a slight edge with the DAWGS momentum and defensive attitude. If Murray has a great day like Johnny did, it could open up, but I don’t expect that. I expect two great teams having a great slobber knockin’ football game!