Dogs and Pokes: Underrated vs. overrated?

In rating five teams that preseason estimations may have overrated and five that might prove to have been underrated, Rivals.com senior college football writer Olin Buchanan has put an interesting spin on the Sept. 5 season opener in Stillwater. Georgia is one of the teams he pegs as “possibly underrated” and Oklahoma State makes his list of “possibly overrated” programs.

His advice on the Bulldogs: “Don’t take them too lightly. Georgia has posted at least 10 wins in six of the past seven seasons and should have another strong year.” He thinks the offensive line “could be among the nation’s best with Trinton Sturdivant back in the lineup” and says wide receiver A.J. Green “could gain superstar status this season.”

Defensively, “tackle Jeff Owens is back from injury, and he, Geno Atkins and Kade Weston provide an outstanding rotation.” The linebackers are solid and while “the secondary needs to get better,” he says, “at least there are good athletes to work with in the defensive backfield.” The Dogs have a demanding early schedule, but “if the Bulldogs get through that, the Top 10 beckons — maybe even the top five.”

His capper goes into territory that even the most optimistic Dogs fan is probably hesitant to enter: “Three times in the BCS era, teams won national championships the season following an NFL draft in which their previous quarterback was the first player selected overall (Tennessee, LSU and USC). Could Georgia make it four?”

As for Okie State, Buchanan says, “No doubt, there are reasons to expect a big season in Stillwater. Dez Bryant is the best receiver in the country. Kendall Hunter is an explosive running back. Zac Robinson is a third-year starter at quarterback. Russell Okung could be the first offensive lineman taken in next year’s NFL draft.”

The problem, he says, is that all those players are on offense. “The defense could bring the Cowboys down like an anchor. Don’t forget that six opponents scored at least 28 points against the Cowboys last season, and that they were among the nation’s worst in pass rush and pass defense. Six starters return on the defense, but only one in the secondary.” 

There are some questions about the offense, too, Buchanan says. “Remember, the Cowboys bogged down when Bryant was hurt in the fourth quarter of last year’s 42-31 Holiday Bowl loss to Oregon.”

Of course, Georgia allowed an opponent to score more than 35 points five times last season. And the bulk of the Dogs’ offensive production came from players no longer on the team.

And there’s no doubt Buchanan is swimming against the media stream here, as the Cowboys have been annointed as a preseason juggernaut by most national analysts. 

But then the Dogs know how that can turn out.

Talking to UGA fans about the upcoming match, I haven’t been able to get a consensus yet. Quite a few are marking down the opener as one of the Dogs’ likely losses, feeling that Georgia just won’t be able to stop the Cowboys’ offense while our own rebuilding offense might not be ready to keep up that early in the season. Other Dogs fans are resistant to the hype surrounding the Pokes and smell another Boise State or Hawaii. Overrated, in other words.

What do you think?

212 comments Add your comment

hop

July 17th, 2009
5:44 am

the dawgs usually do much better when the expectations are low as they are this year.

the dawgs defense will be loaded with great speed and the best set of defensive tackles in the nation.

the dawgs offense will be high octane with great speed with the receivers and a boat load of very talented running backs.

the comboys have some good pieces,but the dawgs will bring the total package with great athletes on both sides of the ball.

OrangeCowboy

July 17th, 2009
7:52 am

Reality-You have some of your facts wrong. First, Holder is not going to open it up to single-game tickets. He had the same policy last year for the OU game and he didn’t change it for that game. It ended up within a couple thousand of capacity anyway. If he didn’t change it for OU, he won’t change it for UGA. No offense to UGA, but OU is a bigger, more important game to us than UGA. It’s like the UF game for UGA as far as importance.

The other thing is, this is not the first game with the west end zone enclosed. It was enclosed all last season. Trust me, that’s where my season tickets are located. The only thing that wasn’t completed last season were some of the suites and the new training facilities and coaches offices that are housed underneath the west end zone. It will be 100% complete for the UGA game. That is why this game is the official grand opening of BPS.

Paddy

July 17th, 2009
8:17 am

What is the early Vegas line on this game?
To me it comes down to the line play on both sides, avoid penelties and turnovers. Known this is over simplified but always a trusted measure of outcome. Think UGA will have the upperhand all afternoon in line play. We are really that good Pokes on both lines, with depth.
The x factor is CMR ability to win on the road at a 30-4 clip. UGA by 10.

red5.ws

July 17th, 2009
8:36 am

I keep hearing how tech is going to win the ACC and how Paul Johnson is one of the 10 best coaches in America (see Mark Bradley this week) Can someone PLEASE explain to me what he did to earn this kind of respect…

-tech lost to an average Boston College team
-tech beat Gardner Webb 10-7
-tech got trounced by a bad UNC team
-tech lost to a bad Virginia team
-tech was EMBARRASED by a good but not great LSU team in their own backyard.
-tech finished with 4 losses, including an embarrasing bowl loss (sounds EXACTLY like Chan to me)

-so tech scored 23 points in the first 7 minutes of the 3rd quarter to upset UGA and if the dawgs come out without their head up their collective arses in the 2nd half and finish the drill, tech finishes with 5 losses. Would they still be singing his praises, or is all this hype based on upsetting UGA in Athens.

The fact is Johnson has done NOTHING beyond beating UGA better than Chan Gailey ever did, if the ball bounces right Gailey could have won the 2006 game just as easily as Johnson could have lost last season. But now I’m supposed to believe they are winning the ACC and going to a BCS game ? SPLAIN IT!

Cuz

July 17th, 2009
8:57 am

red, just another case of Guy Love like on Scrubs. PJ’s is the latest incarnation of Bobby Dodd who will traverse the dangerous ACC and lead them to the BCS promised land where crystal footballs await them.

mitch

July 17th, 2009
9:07 am

This is a classic offense vs defense game. OSU offense is legit but they have a suspect defense; UGA should have a good defense but the offense is somewhat suspect. Therein lies the problem for UGA: the defense should be good but considering last year’s defensive breakdowns, the Dawgs have a lot to prove on that side of the ball. This is as much a statement game for the OSU program as it is a potential judgement of Willie Martinez’s ability as DC.

Top Dogg

July 17th, 2009
9:19 am

Every time i read comments from the zit riddled nerds ,i realize just how much they dont know about football.Exterminator is coming Bugs,mark it down on your buddies back.

Trade School Junkie

July 17th, 2009
9:23 am

Uh…excuse me red5…but, GT beat BC 19-16, moron.

Trade School Junkie

July 17th, 2009
9:28 am

Overall, the fcats remain the same:

OKST has entire record-setting 2008 offense back for 2009. GA does not.
OKST has new, highly regarded DC on staff for 2009. GA does not.

Translation:

OKSt is gonna lay a beatdown on GA.

Corine Browns (d)

July 17th, 2009
9:51 am

I hate to be hatin but ya’ll really is overrated. It dont matter no ways cuz coarch meyers and dem dare gators gonna do it again! Go gator vote democrat!

red5.ws

July 17th, 2009
10:10 am

Trade school Junkie, they lost to Va tech, not BC, fact remains still 4 losses. Instead of calling names like a child, answer the question.

Reality

July 17th, 2009
10:11 am

Orange Cowboy- Your statement indicates the situation. OU didn’t go capacity in Stillwater last year with Oklahoma State’s expanded stadium. And that was with a significant amount of OU fans attending. (Nor to my knowledge, any other game last year.) Due to this, expanded Boone Pickens has yet to experience its full potential as a “home field advantage”. And as far as the importance of this game, it just might be as important as the yearly OU game. This is purportedly the Cowboys breakout year. They have been pointing to it for the last five. Eight home games this year. Eight!! They fall flat in the opener against an SEC opponent, in front of a non-capacity crowd, on national television, it could be difficult to rebound.

Top Dogg

July 17th, 2009
10:22 am

Just in GT gets commitment from ABDUL AL KAZAM, top rated Camel Jockey in Iran. Watch out Dogs,Berka or not they say he can do more with a Camel then can be believed.

CHARLOTTE DAWG

July 17th, 2009
10:36 am

I stole TheAtl’s Grape Soda Quarterly magazine and he’s just upset.

Dawg_Em_Out

July 17th, 2009
10:38 am

i like uga winning this game for the reason that our defense was soooo bad last yr, i only see it getting better this yr. everyone knows the dawgs o-line is gonna more than likely be the best in the sec. so with a stable of rb’s, somebody will shine eventually imo. plus joe cox knows this offensive scheme very well, and aj green will be 100%. add in our freshmen. an i see atleast one of them making a big impact, possibly branden smith from atlanta. UGA imo, will see another 10-2 season with losses to lsu/fla.

Lee Dawg

July 17th, 2009
10:40 am

The Dawgs will need to run the ball and control the clock and the defense will have to stop OK State 50% of the time. UGA 34 OK St. 21. Book it!

BruffDawg

July 17th, 2009
10:42 am

Whats Richt’s record against nonconference opponents again? Oh yeah REALLY GOOD. Nerds can tout stats all they want. UGA 35 OKST 17. Write it down.

Dawg Nation

July 17th, 2009
10:44 am

SPEED is the key if you ask me….both teams posess speed on O however to prevent big plays you need speed everywhere to close on the ball soons its caught or when the back gets to the line. UGA is more equiped for that and will definitely slow this game down…play actions, lots of runs, lots of short passes….we want long drives.

OK St. puts up lots of points because they get BIG PLAYS….we limit those types of plays and make them use long drives or better of course stop them we will be fine.

As someone stated our D and O lines will be huge…our line will allow a very good stable of running backs to hit holes and we will rotate fresh legs very important and all our backs are extremely talented. Our depth is many coaches dream.

Game managemnet and coaching….with Richt stellar on the road and plenty of talent at his expense the dogs will win a close one…we wont stop OK St. put we will slow them down enough for us to win.

Preston

July 17th, 2009
10:50 am

I love the dawgs and always will but I’m not getting all worked up over them until they show me that they can do something special with the talent they bring in year after year. At least win the damn conference!

joe jenkins

July 17th, 2009
11:07 am

The dawgs should beat okie st and the chickens, but if we lose any one of those games it will be a long year.

DAWGPOUND

July 17th, 2009
11:09 am

Ga will be better this year. Last year on offense everyone just waited around for Stafford and Moreno to make plays. And while Stafford is a good strong armed QB, we will be better off wiyhout him. On all his throws he wanted to throw 40 yards down field which lead to a lot of incompletions. Moreno will be missed but we several good backs ready to make their mark. Offensivly we will be fine. On D last year we were without Owens who is our best D lineman. And also without Ellerbee for a while and after his injury he never played that well when he came back. Owens presence last year would have made a huge difference on D. He would have helped shut down Ala. and Fla. We may have still lost to Fla with them both healthy but I think we would have beaten Al and GT. This year we have a lot of returning talent and Joe Cox should do very well. Dont forget he was a 4 star Qb out of high school and never lost as a starting Qb since middle school. This team could be great. I dont think we can lose more than 2 games and could possibly go undefeated.

OrangeCowboy

July 17th, 2009
11:13 am

Oh, don’t get me wrong Reality. This is a HUGE game for OSU and we have been looking forward to it for a very long time. I think it is without a doubt the biggest OOC home opener ever and maybe the biggest OOC home GAME ever. And you are right, a loss in the first game would deflate the expectations for this season whereas a win could propel them to great things.

But, I just have to tell you as a lifelong Oklahoman, OSU fan and OSU grad, no game will ever be bigger to OSU fans than OU unless we were to play for a BCS title. They are our in-state and conference nemesis. Trust me, if we had to choose, 99% of OSU fans would take a win against OU over a win against UGA. The way UGA feels about UF? That’s the same way we feel about OU. Do you think most UGA fans would rather beat OSU or UF?

As far as the stadium, you just don’t know what you are talking about. For the OU game last year, there were maybe 2,000 empty seats and they were in the far upper corners. OU had their 5,000 allotment plus maybe another 2-3,000 there. That’s it. So that left about 50,000 OSU fans to maybe 8,000 OU fans. They got the full effect of the fans being right on top of the field. I don’t think having an extra 2,000 fans in the upper corners would have made much difference. Again, I was there and I have attended well over 100 games in that stadium in my lifetime and the enclosed west end makes a big difference. It will not be any more loud or raucous for UGA than it was for OU. For OSU fans, nothing compares to when OU is in town. You just have to trust me on this.

Trade School Junkie

July 17th, 2009
11:23 am

OrangeCowboy:

Your assessment on the following: close to the mark, or far of the mark.
GA fans seem to think their gonna somehow hold OKST to 17, 20, 21 points. Whats your predicted score?

UF-24 OK-14: (Florida was a better team and UF defense was the key)
OKSt-41 OK-61 (Game was OKST-41 OK-44 with 9 minutes left in 4th Qtr)
UF 49 GA 10 (A-1 Gator beatdown)

So, OKSt scored more points on OK than FL did, and of course, FL destroyed GA.

OKST has entire record-setting 2008 offense back for 2009. GA does not.
OKST has new, highly regarded DC on staff for 2009. GA does not.

Translation: OKSt is gonna lay a beatdown on GA.

Reality

July 17th, 2009
11:40 am

Orange Cowboy, I have also been to the stadium many times. For noise, key is where the students are located. If the tickets are available, let the students purchase them. Granted, it is in the upper sections. And as for the fan base, that is evolving. Reason the proposed Dallas game with Texas Tech drew so much controversy. (OU still, and will always be, the biggest game, but others are getting much closer.) This is not the place to be discussing these issues. I leave it at that.

DDD

July 17th, 2009
11:51 am

OrangCowboy:

Whats your assessment of teh following…and…whats your score predcition for the game?

UF-24 OK-14: (Florida was a better team and UF defense was the key)
OKSt-41 OK-61 (Game was OKST-41 OK-44 with 9 minutes left in 4th Qtr)
UF 49 GA 10 (A-1 Gator beatdown)

So, OKSt scored more points on OK than FL did, and of course, FL destroyed GA.

OKST has entire record-setting 2008 offense back for 2009. GA does not.
OKST has new, highly regarded DC on staff for 2009. GA does not.

Translation: OKSt is gonna lay a beatdown on GA.

OrangeCowboy

July 17th, 2009
12:30 pm

“Your assessment on the following: close to the mark, or far of the mark.
GA fans seem to think their gonna somehow hold OKST to 17, 20, 21 points. Whats your predicted score?”

I’ve noticed that most predicted scores coming from UGA fans have OSU only scoring 17-21 points. My guess is that OSU will score more in the 28-35 range; however, our offense typically doesn’t start off the season real fast. It usually takes 2-3 games to really get it going. That said, if our defense is not improved, we could score 35 points and still lose. That, along with the fact UGA has a lot of new guys on offense, are the big unknowns to me right now. I’ve been thinking about this game for months and I still haven’t a clue as to how it’s going to go except I think OSU will score more than 21 points.

CHARLOTTE DAWG

July 17th, 2009
2:17 pm

Fellow Dawg fans,

Lets not act like Florida and GT fans by giving bullish predictions that could make us eat crow. If any Georgia fan is completely convinced we will win, I wish I had what you had for breakfast.

People that have been watching the dawgs for years should expect the unexpected as that is what Georgia has done lately.

My prediction(and a humble one): Georgia finally gets some breaks and wins an ugly game in Stillwater, still leaving us with a concern about our defense. Neither team will be embarrassed in my opinion.

Next week: a loss to USC. That is Spurrier’s type of game when the dogs are feeling confident. He’s done it to us already even as a Gamecock(2007).

So we split. If we lose to Okie State, the opposite will be true.

But Georgia is just not dominating enough for any of us to be convinced we are going to beat those guys hands down. That is some stupid rhetoric a Tech fan would spew. Both head coaches for either team are probably very, very concerned.

I won’t be shocked if we win or if we lose. I have no idea what to expect from my dogs after last year. When my uncle predicted Tech would beat Georgia last year, I laughed in his face. Let’s just say Thanksgiving wasn’t that fun last year. Won’t be making that mistake again.

Until we become more consistent and coaches prove their worth, I’ll never know what to expect.

Wouldn’t shock me if we go 10-3 or 7-5. We’ll just have to see. We have the talent but we’ve always had the talent.

One thing I’m sure is the UGA Okie State game is going to be a competitive game and fun to watch if you are not a fan of either team. Poke and Dawg fans probably won’t have any finger nails left and the fridge will be empty of beer by the 4th quarter.

Let’s just wait and see. My post might seem negative but on a positive note: Since Richt arrived in 2001, I’ve always felt we could win every game we play. The question is will they.

The team seems to be staying humble and going about their business. Let’s do the same.

Trade School Junkie

July 17th, 2009
2:22 pm

Cowboys: Be afraid. Be VERY Afraid.

GA’s got this new starting QB named Joe. No, he wasnt as good as Stafford or Tereshinski, according to GA HC Mark Richt. Thats why he was 3rd string for the past few years. He’s got a rock-solid, impressive 1 career college start so far against Conference USA U-Alabama Birmingham. No he didnt finsish the game but thats beside the point.

But, man, you see his middle-school and high-school stats. They’re wicked cool. All the UGA fans are bragging about that.

But, there’s hope for you OKSt fans.

You wont have to worry about GA’s Defense. Hell, they cant handle a “gimmick high-school” offense that laid 400 yds and 38 pts on their defense. So, I dontthink your 2008 record-setting OKSt offense will have much trouble.

LOL

yarddawg

July 17th, 2009
4:41 pm

dawgs get embarassed

yarddawg

July 17th, 2009
4:47 pm

a very quiet plane ride back, i mean, id rather it be, would you please shut the …. up or your gonna run more sprints in practice, not a chance, nobody gets in trouble for running their traps

GO POKES

July 18th, 2009
8:33 am

I have read all of the posts and am amazed that no one has mentioned the fact that special teams will probably decide this game early. ESPN recently rated the Pokes special teams as number 1 for 2009!! Cox and Bryant will light GA. up on kickoffs and punt returns giving State great field position which will ignite the blowout!!
Pokes 45 – Dawgs 14

Mo

July 18th, 2009
9:09 am

I’ve seen some of you Dawgs talk about OSU’s lack of depth at RB. Don’t kid yourself, every kid at that position can play and was recruited by big time schools. The defense should be better than last year as each recruiting class under Gundy has brought in better athletes.

BlueSaloon

July 18th, 2009
8:33 pm

Let’s count all of Georgia’s National Titles since in the last 25 years………Um still searching for any grain of a National Title since Herschel Walker was 18 back in 1981. Let us count all your conference titles the last 10, hell 15 years………still trying to find any championship minus Southern Living Magazine that Georgia has won in recent memory.

OUFan

July 18th, 2009
9:11 pm

OSU has better depth, and better talent, at RB than UGA and almost any other school. They are USC-level. It’s ridiculous to say they have a ‘lack of depth’ at RB. Hunter is an All-American. Toston is a durable backup who has rushed for over 1500 yards in his career and is also an excellent receiver. We also have at least three 4 or 5* players further down the depth chart including Beau Johnson, RS Freshman Kye Staley (6′3″ 240), Fr. Dexter Pratt (6′2″ 230), RS freshman Travis Miller (4.3 speed). Injuries hurt us at the end of our season last year but Gundy refused to break redshirts which hurt us in our last two games with only Toston (who also got nicked up) and Johnson anywhere close to full speed.

Oh yeah I forgot an incoming freshman FB David Paulson a Georgia native who turned down the dawgs for OSU.

OSU can hit you with any style of running back you can imagine, and most of the RB’s are high caliber former recruits who turned down schools like OU, LSU, etc. In fact I believe OSU has full confidence in the option attack and Oline versus UGA and imagine we will run at you and run at you all day.

OUFan

July 18th, 2009
9:34 pm

Oh and yeah, it is true about the OSU field. While only seating 61 K, it is a noisy place due to close confines. The east end zone, while not technically bowled, is blocked by the immensity of OSU’s basketball arena, a giant brick wall for sound to bounce off. The fans are closer to the field than any other stadium. The retaining wall is only a few yards from the sideline. Many opposing players have commented on how much they hate playing at OSU for this factor. WR’s and QB’s are particularly effected by the closeness of the wall to the sideline on sideline routes.

This is NOT an easy place to play. Usually OSU beats everyone at home except OU and Texas and those games have been pretty close in general, never decided before the 4th quarter except maybe a game or two when vince young freaked out and ran for 500 yards. Even with Vince Young and a MNC team, Texas had to fight well into the second half. OSU has defeated ranked teams from Tech and OU and other schools when they had a bad team when playing at home. OSU rarely if ever loses home nonconference games. Of course UGA is the best noncon home opponent in many years.

Charlie Poke

July 18th, 2009
10:03 pm

OState is loaded at running back…has one of the best Offensive lines, has the nations premier receiver, and a smart athletic Quarterback. TE is a question. Other receivers is a questions. Offense has plenty of experience working together. Someone said our runners were second rate…just the opposite…we have too many great runners such that we are redshirting them. Watch for a hurry up offense. It wears down and confuses the defense. I would look for at least 30 pts. by OState.

OState Defense front is questionable…some good player and new coach. Secondary is young but talented. LB’s are very solid. Team is pretty good against the run up the middle and on the corners. Last year team got eaten up by short passes. New Def. Coach. Dawgs will be a good test.

What was not told by the stats last year. Oregon was creamated by OState in the first half. What killed the Pokes was the injury to Star Receivier, Bryant and Quarterback ZRobinson. They both should have been pulled. The defense then went on the field too much and Oregon flat wore them out. I am just calling it as I saw it. OU and OSU both played their hearts out in a good game. The score was real tight at the end but OU scored in what would have made it almost impossible for OSU to win and to me it looked like OSU conceded the game but OU was determined to run up the score rather than run out the clock. Thats how I saw the game.

I don’t know you Dawgs but having a new backfield at the beginning of the year is not a plus. Passing becomes difficult because of timing. Runners are not used to the Oline and vice verse. Sounds to me like it may take a few games to get the gears greased and running.

Defensively, it is hard to compare. Don’t think that OState can’t run. Their backs are very good and the line is great. Dawgs you must have good stamina because if Ostate gets on a roll they will play hurry up offense eliminating substitutions. Quarterback is elusive and receivers are good blockers that is why Zac gains yards. You will need to contain the Quarterback. If you have great defensive backs and safeties this will cause the most problems for OState.

This is what I know as a Poke fan. I know we are looking for a great year and want to get it started right. I only hope that we do not overlook you guys. But I would say a very good Ostate Offense and a very experienced team gives us the edge, If it was later in the year it may be different. Now lets see what transpires in the actual game.

BIGBOY

July 18th, 2009
10:59 pm

Wow OSU sounds formidable!!But wait..looking back at their schedule for the last 4 years I see they haven’t beaten OU,TEX or TEX A&M once.TBoone Pickens is a tough place to play huh?Is that’s why you have lost 10 games there since 04?

BIGBOY

July 18th, 2009
11:15 pm

OSU in the SEC would be right up there with Kentucky.

OUFan

July 19th, 2009
1:04 am

Ostate>>>Kentucky. LLoll.

It’s true, OSU has struggled versus OU and Texas. They always play OU tight at home. The last several games against Texas have been like a hex for them. I’ve never seen anything like it. Last year they lost 28-24 in austin in a game that went to the last possession. The previous year was a 38-35 last second loss in stillwater, they blew a 35-14 4th quarter lead. Another year in Austin OSU actually blew a 35-7 lead. Remember, when they have been playing these teams, the talent gap has been huge, but closing every year. OU and Texas the last several years have been two of the top programs nationally, usually ranked in the top 5 and regularly playing in the MNC. Gundy has been redshirting guys and never breaks a redshirt unless the player is Dez Bryant-calibre. Believe me when I tell you they have a whole bunch of new guys who will make an impact. UGA fans talk about Marlon Brown or Orson Charles and justifiably so, but OSU is breaking out guys like Justin Blackmon, Justin Horton, and Kye Staley. Their entire secondary, while young other than NFL corner prospect perrish cox, is composed of guys who turned down programs like OU. We wanted Markelle Martin, Victor Johnson, Daytwain Lowe but instead they went to OSU. The talent level is increasing in this program. It isn’t just on offense. They have some really good talent on the Dline too…chinasa, jones, miller…these guys could have played anywhere. Kentucky doesn’t get guys like this.

BTW OSU beat A&M like a drum last year. The only Big 12 programs they haven’t beat lately are OU and Texas. They’ve basically had Texas beat 3 or 4 times and blown the 4th quarter. OU has been lucky to pull away late in Stillwater, in norman we blow them out but we blow everyone out in Norman. I know OSU lost some home games in Gundy’s first year when they went 4-8 but since then probably all their home losses have been to top 5 or top 10 opponents. Since zac was their QB the only home losses have been to OU, Texas, and a top 5 KU team that went on to beat VT in the orange bowl. The KU loss is deceptive because it was very competitive until OSU suffered some crucial injuries. The wr Bowman, who the previous year had racked up over 300 yards receiving versus KU in a record game, was knocked out via dirty play by KU cornerback Aqib Talib in the second quarter. At the time, OSU was leading the game and driving for a score. A similar effect would be felt by UGA if AJ Green were knocked out.

These losses have all been to teams that had championship-calibre quarterbacks…Bradford, McCoy, Reesing, vince young…

BPS is very tough place to play. Just ask Mike Leach. Bob Stoops hates playing there. The last three OU/OSU games in Stillwater went 38-35, 27-21, and last year, 61-41 (44-41 at 9 minute mark of 4th quarter). Before that, OSU beat stoops 2 years in a row, 16-13 in 2001 and 38-28 in 2002, both victories over top 3 OU teams. In 2000, OU’s last MNC, OSU lost to OU 12-7 at home.

OSU has lost their last two games to Texas by a total of 7 points.

You’re not going to walk into that field and just beat them senseless. If UGA wins at all, it will be very close and likely involve a key injury or two to OSU. But you don’t have a proven qb or proven RB, so I don’t really see UGA going in there and winning. It took Colt McCoy everything he had to win there. You don’t have a Colt McCoy and you don’t have all the offensive or defensive talent Texas had/has. And this OSU team is better on both sides of the ball than teams past.

Trade School Junkie

July 19th, 2009
2:13 pm

Pokes, no need to worry.

OKSt is going to D-E-S-T-R-O-Y UGA in Stillwater.

This game wont EEEEEEEEEE-VEN be close.

OKST 54 UGA 23

OUFan

July 19th, 2009
4:57 pm

BIGBOY

July 19th, 2009
5:17 pm

What difference does it really make how many points OSU scored on OU?They gave up 61..they gave up 56 to Tex Tech and 42 to Oregon.That’s 3 out of their last 4 games played.Sure OU “held” FLA to 24 pts.But that awe inspiring,incredible,greatest ever,blah,blah,blah offense of OU…the 1 that was crushing everybody and was going to be sooooo unstoppable against the Gators only managed 14 pts.That offensive machine of Tex Tech?ask Ole Miss how intimidating they are.Actually what was the last time a decent big 12 team beat a decent SEC team?

BIGBOY

July 19th, 2009
5:25 pm

OU and TEXAS would only be contenders in the SEC(not favorites)Yep I said it…your two flagship programs would not be favored in any year to win the SEC.Taking it one step farther…the only reason OU and Texas make it to the BCS is they play in that weak ass conference.When’s the last time those great schools have come out on top of a SEC counterpart?

BIGBOY

July 19th, 2009
5:36 pm

Speaking of the mighty SOONERS….let’s see they have won one bowl game…17-14 against Oregon in 2005…since 03 they are 1-5.They mostly only play other Big 12 scrubs and so when they get to the Bowl game they get EXPOSED!!!!

BIGBOY

July 19th, 2009
5:45 pm

The Longhorns actually look like a better program than OU.At least they step their game up in the bowl games.If they played anybody other OveratedU I would respect them more.I will say this though….Vince Young was one of the most exciting college players I’ve ever seen.

R u kidding me?

July 19th, 2009
8:00 pm

I love how UGA and others out there want to constantly balk on OkState’s D. Listen up people, it’s a new season, w/ a new and highly respected D-coordinator leading the way. To top it off we have our QB, RB, and WR that made us so dangerous on O last year, and last time I checked Mike Gundy is 42.

UGA is a team to be respected. However, regardless what this joker says about “over/under rated” OkState is going to bring the hammer down so hard that UGA will be running back home with their tails b/w their legs.

I wish you luck, but remember “were not in Georgia anymore”…

Charlie Poke

July 19th, 2009
11:19 pm

Like I said earlier…Georgia backfield is new and it is their first game….for most teams the offense takes a few games to get their rythm…. with a Rookie backfield this will certainly be the case. OState backfield and Offense have been all playing together for years…it will take less time for them to catch their rythm and then watch out. Your best hope is an injury to Dez our premier receiver and / or our Quaterback Zac Robinson. That will have an impact. I do not know how our defense will be but I suspect it has been given a lot of attention and will be significantly better. Ostate is simply a “good” Veteran team. You Dawgs look to be having a rebuilding year.

Trojans 2009

July 20th, 2009
10:32 am

Cowboy fans. Forget trying to have a logical argument with UGA fans. Theyre delusional, and facts are ususally lost on them.

The fact remains, THIS is OKST’s HC Gundy’s Season.
He’s got everythng he could possibly ask for:

1. A loaded & record-setting veteran offense
2. A new, highly-respected DC with lots of returnng veteran Def talent
3. A National TV game….at Home….vs an SEC opponent

Folks, it’s AAAAAALLLLLLLL laid out for OKST and the Big 12.

OKST, HC Gundy, and the Big 12 (in general) have E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G to gain here.

Not only would a OKST win over UGA be a hallmark start for what is supposed to be OKST’s “BIG” season, aside from ARK vs Texas A&M, there are NO OTHER Big 12 vs SEC match-ups until bowl season.

The media writers, and Big 12 Comissioners will use THIS GAME as THE BENCHMARK for ALL Big 12 vs SEC comparisons for ALL OF 2009. It will be THE ONLY arugument. Every single weekend, it willl comeback to THIS GAME for ALL 2009 references.

Any UGA fans that think they’re gonna face the same OKST defense from 2008, or that UGA’s D is gonna hold OKST’s offense to 17-21 pts are in a state of denial SO DEEP, that a medical intervention is needed.

But, rest assured OKST fans, UGA fans had teh same mental state…right before Bama went to Athens and DESTROYED UGA on National TV.

OKST WILL CRUSH UGA…IN A LAUGHER: 52-22.

BIGBOY

July 20th, 2009
6:23 pm

OK state has never crushed any good team…they are lucky every blue moon to even beat one.There is a sizable gap in talent between the SEC and Big 12.The two elite teams OU & TEX would be close to the top 4 SEC schools.The drop off is steep in the Big12 after the top two.If you don’t think the quality of the players make a difference you don’t know anything about football.Logan Gray and Aaron White would be touted as future stars at teams like OK state/Mizzo but may or may not make an impact at UGA.

Charlie Poke

July 22nd, 2009
11:38 pm

Well BigBoy….when Georgia gets crushed in a couple of weeks by the Pokes will they have crushed a good team or a young upn coming team? I said before the Pokes will score 30+ pts. The question will be whether you Dawgs have the firepower to match it or our defense has the fire in their eyes to make a statement and shut you down. I prefer to be humble….but the Cowboys want to make an opening statement to start the season and you guys are in the way. But who knows on any given day and with the right breaks even a great team can be beat by a mediocre team.