Gearing up for the showdown in Stillwater
Shirt from the 2007 game.
Four more days. The tension is mounting with that intoxicating mixture of nerves and eager excitement that can only mean a really big opening game.
And I’m just talking about the fans. Imagine how the Georgia and Oklahoma State coaches and players must feel!
It’s not an experience we’ve had all that often at the start of a Bulldogs season. And when we’ve had it in recent years, it hasn’t always been justified. I bought into just a bit of the hype surrounding Boise State in 2005 and worried about whether the Dogs could keep up with one of those ramped up offenses from out West. Of course, the Dogs handled the Broncos like the pretenders they were.
So when Oklahoma State came along in 2007 riding a similar wave of hype, I wasn’t impressed. Neither was anyone else who saw that game. Ditto the next high-scoring media darling the Dogs faced, Hawaii. What a smackdown that was.
Now, I’m not saying the Top 10-residing 2009 Cowboys are another Hawaii. Or even another 2007 Oklahoma State. Still, I’ve tended all along to feel that Georgia ought to be able to handle the Pokes on Saturday, mainly because of the distinctly unimpressive brand of defense played in the Big 12.
And the Cowboys were pretty awful in that department last year, ranking 93rd in the country in overall defense. Six players return from that unit (which isn’t necessarily a good thing), but the secondary has three new starters. New defensive coordinator Bill Young has a good rep, but how much can he have turned things around in a few months?
Yes, the Pokes have got legitimate big-time weapons on offense in Zac Robinson, Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter running behind Russell Okung. Plus Perrish Cox is a very dangerous kick returner.
They can score a lot of points, but so can just about everyone else in their league, especially when they’re playing each other.
So I’ve spent the summer feeling that, barring a complete collapse by Georgia’s defense or a performance by the offense along the lines of the first half of the bowl game against Michigan State, the Dogs stand a pretty good chance of coming out of Stillwater with a win.
Still, I’ve got to say I felt better about this game a couple of weeks ago, before Caleb King and half our secondary missed much of preseason practice with nagging hamstring injuries. And especially before two members of our veteran offensive line turned up gimpy last week.
History gives Georgia the edge. While Mark Richt teams occasionally have come up way short in big games (yes, Crimson Tide fans, we remember last year), they’ve also proved time and again that they were “man enough,” as Pat Dye once put it. Oklahoma State, not so much. Just look at last season, when they beat an overrated Missouri team and then whiffed in the rest of their big games.
Of course, that was last year. And with Knowshon Moreno, Matthew Stafford and Mohamed Massaquoi gone, the Dogs have a lot of question marks on offense to go with the inconsistent record of Willie Martinez’s defense.
By Saturday night, we’ll either be nodding our heads and saying, “Told you so,” about another overhyped team from out West, or we’ll be consoling ourselves that at least it wasn’t a conference game.
I’m not worried. Much.
How about you?
By the way, I’ll be away from the blog the rest of the day but will be back tomorrow, fresh from the Touchdown Club of Athens’ kickoff meeting.
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240 comments Add your comment
First
September 1st, 2009
6:53 am
FIRST
ManInTheMirror
September 1st, 2009
6:59 am
I think we will handle Ok. st. pretty handily. I think the dawgnation will be pleasantly surprised with a lot of the aspects of the team this year, as well as the up and coming players ready to emerge and make a name for themselves. Ok St. is over hyped and living on pipe dreams from a stadium renovation. Regardless, I am ready for kick off.
Clay
September 1st, 2009
6:59 am
Bill–my thoughts exactly. I view this is another “overhyped-by-the-media-game-that-the-Dawgs-will-win-handily.” Without repeating what you typed above, I feel Ok State is (again) being forced down our throats as a team that UGA will not be able to prepare for, and the game will turn into a laugher. I almost feel badly that this game will be Ok State’s first in the new stadium Boone Pickens paid for; but, that’s their fault, not ours.
L-Dawg
September 1st, 2009
7:00 am
GLORY GLORY TO OLE’ GEORGIA!!!!!
LOOKING FORWARD TO CHEERING ON MY TEAM THIS SATURDAY AS OPPOSED TO BOOING ANOTHER!!!!
GO DAWGS!!!!
4 SHORT DAYS MY FRIENDS!!!!!!!!
Deputy Dawg
September 1st, 2009
7:04 am
Sorry UGA fans….but we are going to get waxed by OK State on Saturday. Joe Cox has been a back-up his entire college career and we have no proven running backs. It won’t be a pretty sight but I plan to watch. I do not see us having a very good year but I do expect a lower tier bowl game. Don’t jump on me as I am just speaking the truth as I see it.
Gbal
September 1st, 2009
7:08 am
DAWGS play with passion and gets it done – 28-17
TEAM _TEAM_TEAM!!!
Law Dawg
September 1st, 2009
7:14 am
I’m not convinced yet. None of our tailbacks have shown me anything (other than CK4’s ability to miss a block & Samuel’s ability to fumble). Joe Cox, steady as he is, last saw meaningful game time in 2006. And our receivers – the group I think will be the most impressive this year – won’t be able to do anything without anyone to get them the ball consistently.
No pass rush on a good quarterback. I don’t care if they’ve played against lesser defenses in the Big 12 – Zac Robinson is talented. And I’m more concerned with Prince Miller covering Dez Bryant than I would have been if Asher were still around. All this talk about our offensive line – they have the best o-line prospect in the country in Okung and Hunter will be running left all day long.
Bottom Line: You don’t teach a team of undisciplined 19-21 year olds to tackle in a couple months’ time and fundamentals will win this game. I think we win, but it will be down to the wire along the lines of 38-35.
Sic Em'
September 1st, 2009
7:19 am
I wonder how many Techies are going to Dragon*Con, then heading straight to the bar in hopes to watch UGA lose…. all while there are 20,000 empty seats at their Bobby Dudd Crackerbox around the corner. WORST fans in sports = GT “THWG” <—— this is why you don’t sell out.
biggerthanbigdawg
September 1st, 2009
7:20 am
1. Deputy Dawg needs to turn in his badge. 2. Its time to let the big DAWGS eat. 3. Rennie n the gang have a little surpise in store for the Pokes this Saturday. 4. #14 will settle in just fine and will hit receiver’s in stride…#22 goes off for over 100yds n has a 50+ yd td run..you watch. 5. Its time to get fired up for the 2009 season!
Please tell me...
September 1st, 2009
7:23 am
…did Asher Allen cover ANYBODY, ever, during his three years at UGA? The kid was a Putz with a capital P! How is the NFL working out for him?
Bubba
September 1st, 2009
7:32 am
Bill, I think I’d feel better about this game if I had ever seen a Willie Martinez defense stop a spread offense. Florida gashes us yearly, West Virginia embarrassed us in the Sugar Bowl, even Troy scored 30-plus on us with a spread attack. Kentucky marched up and down the field last year with a running QB. I hope I’m wrong, but I think OK State will top the 30 mark as well. I hope our offense is up to the challenge.
FBR
September 1st, 2009
7:41 am
I think our line play will win us a few this year that we may not have won. This may be one of them.. Don’t confuse this team with Hawaii and Boise. This talent level is much higher. GO DAWGS
JB
September 1st, 2009
7:47 am
Georgia has enough pieces of the puzzle ( big time athletes) to make a picture even with a piece or two missing. If it’s close at half, we win easy. if we are behind 14-21 points at half, we lose. i say we win 35-28. GATA………..
Yeah
September 1st, 2009
7:50 am
Go GATAs. Tebow is THE MAN!!
Mikey
September 1st, 2009
7:57 am
Deputy Dawg, not so fast my friend!
OK ST hasn’t played an SEC foe in how long?
Why dont we just wait and see what happens?
reality check
September 1st, 2009
7:59 am
I agree with Bill King’s assessment. OSU has some great offensive players but they will miss Pettigrew, and overall we have better and deeper talent, especially on defense.
I believe Perrish Cox will still play in this game despite his arrest. It has to be a distraction, though.
For those who bash Martinez for giving up 312 yards per game, consider that OSU gave up 406 yards per game last year. If Georgia returns to normal in terms of turnovers, penalties, position after kickoffs, and injuries we will have a very good year.
Wes
September 1st, 2009
8:01 am
Anybody get the comments by Terrance Moore Sunday night: 1. UGA doesnt stand a chance of beating OSU Saturday. 2. UGA will NEVER beat Florida or Ga. Tech in football again. Its true, he said this, and actually gave some lame reasoning behind each claim. You believe this guy!!! Thanks for the wallpapering in locker room thats bound to be going on
reebok
September 1st, 2009
8:01 am
Tech fan here. UGA vs Okie State should be a great matchup of 2 teams that play very different styles of football. My expectation is the Georgia will be physically superior to OK State & will pull away in the second half & win handily. IMHO, of course. See you on the Flats in November!
Clay
September 1st, 2009
8:04 am
True, Joe Cox is a life long backup; but, he is a 5th year Senior. He was a Parade All American who led his high school to 2 state titles. His only crime at UGA is having to site behind the #1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Tee Martin took UT to the National Championship after spending his career riding the bench behind Manning. DJ Shockley won a SEC Championship after spending his career riding the bench behind Greene. Cox has been in the system for 5 years, he’s not a Freshman playing his first college game like the Barkley kid at USC.
Two years ago when Ok State came to Athens we heard about how we were rebuilding the running game and we brought out Moreno. I have no doubt the next big UGA back will make himself known this Saturday.
Clay
September 1st, 2009
8:08 am
FBR–Ok State may be better than Boise or Hawaii; but, UGA beat Ok State by 3 touchdowns 2 years ago. Do you think the talent level at UGA has gone down in the last 2 years?
Cuz
September 1st, 2009
8:16 am
Thanks reebok, I concour.
FBR
September 1st, 2009
8:18 am
Clay—-I don’t think the talent level has gone down in Athens, I just think the talent level in Stillwater has gone up. I just don’t think we should think of this team in the same terms as Hawaii. Anybody have any ideas about S.C. and N.C. ST. on Thursday?
senoiadawgs
September 1st, 2009
8:20 am
I just Samuel doesn’t let us down. To me he is clearly better than King. As long as he holds on to the ball we are in good shape. Can’t wait to see Thomas run.
Willie and the D please be ready and bring back the respect for UGA D.
UGA 27 OKState 16
JayRoot
September 1st, 2009
8:22 am
.
Why don’t you Ugag fans “gear up” for Stillwater by puttin’ yo money down on a case of KY Jelly … you’re gonna need it!!
It’s gonna be a long day for the Ugag defense! Ha!
.
JayRoot
September 1st, 2009
8:24 am
.
Why don’t Ugag fans “gear up” for Stillwater by puttin’ yo money down on a case of KY Jelly … you’re gonna need it!!
It’s gonna be a LONG day for the Ugag defense! Ha!
Who knows? Y’all might even like it?
.
Dave
September 1st, 2009
8:26 am
What a bunch of idiots. And you top the idiot cake, Bill. You don’t think OSU has enough defense? Since when did UGA suddenly become a defensive powerhouse? HA HA HA.
This will be the first of five games this year that a team puts 40+ up on the puppies.
OSU 45 UGA 21 BAM!!!!!!!!!!
Deputy Dawg
September 1st, 2009
8:32 am
I will turn in my badge if UGA wins on Saturday. Joe Cox will simply not be able to handle the pressure. Yes he is a 5th year senior…..whoopty doooo. Yes he rode the pine behind Matt Stafford….whoopty doooo. Yes he was a Parade All American in High School…..whoopty doooo. Dogs lose 24 – 13. Call me a fair weather fan but I have to call it like I see it.
m
September 1st, 2009
8:42 am
the sec gets exposed on Saturday.
Dave
September 1st, 2009
8:45 am
M-
I don’t think the SEC really gets exposed on Saturday. The only morons that think UGA is going to be one of the SEC’s brass this year are this idiotic UGA fans….the majority of the conference is intelligent enough to realize the downgrade in quarterback and running back…as well as the fact the defense is a joke. OSU beating UGA will hardly surprise anyone else.
PMC
September 1st, 2009
8:46 am
35 – 24 Dawgs. OSU is better at QB and RB basically the other skill positions are a wash. Georgia is far better overall on both lines of scrimmage and they have enough athletes to deal with the skill position players like Bryant. Generally games between good teams are won on the line of scrimmage. This should be no different. I have no doubt Bill Young will make a huge difference for the pokes, but 93 to respectable is a tall order in the first game of the year and AJ Green is every bit as good as Dez Bryant.
AltamahaDawg
September 1st, 2009
8:46 am
Please, if the SEC got any more exposure on Saturdays, it would be its own country.
AltamahaDawg
September 1st, 2009
8:49 am
Deputy Dawg, this “pressure” you talk about……you mean from his own team right? Not OSU defense.
Bob
September 1st, 2009
8:50 am
I have never understood this idea that somehow Boise was overrated. Because Georgia played a great game and dominated it does not necessarily mean that the Broncos were overrated. As we found out, Georgia was underrated that year. When you and dumb Georgia drunks start screaming “overrated” at the end of the game, it reflects poorly on our own team and minimizes a great win. Pretty ignorant when you think about it. We beat a very good team in Boise. We they a bit overrated….probably, but to act like this is pretty classless. We beat a very good team. We keep bringing it up. That in itself is contradictory.
Now, lets go out and beat a very good Oklahoma State team. Their defense was not very good, no doubt. Then again they were playing a host of high powered offenses. Our own defense was playing teams who had difficulties making a first down (i.e. Auburn and Tennessee) and we still had problems. So stats can be pretty misleading.
Georgia wins, but it is close…27-24
4DAWGS
September 1st, 2009
8:57 am
Dawgs handle the Pokes……45-28! It’s TRUE!!
LoelGator
September 1st, 2009
9:00 am
I went to the Georgia spring game and the offense looked awful,,,, or maybe the defense was just that awesome??? could be!!!
tim
September 1st, 2009
9:02 am
I hate the puppies, but you’ll kick OSU’s ass by at least 10….while the UF 3rd string hangs 60 on the cupcake we start with.I really hope the puppies are undefeated oct 31 so we can kick your ass by 40 and Tebow breaks Hershels TD record in the 1st quarter
Gatorman
September 1st, 2009
9:02 am
Dawgs win. I could see it being a late pull-away victory but I don’t see OK State starting out with a 20 point lead like some are claiming. Defense will be better than last year and Cox will be well prepared to execute a game plan.
I’ll be pulling for the Dawgs in Hilton Head for the Labor Day weekend. Go SEC!
JB
September 1st, 2009
9:05 am
Tech just needs to worry about Jacksonville U or who the hell ever they’re opening with ( boy, love to have a ticket to that, tons of pizza for all with only 25,000 or so showing up, yawn). Clemson will smack Tech back into reality the following Thursday night. Hide the kids, gonna be LSU all over again.
DawginLex
September 1st, 2009
9:06 am
Enter your comments here
Topp Dogg
September 1st, 2009
9:07 am
M why are you so concerned? Possible closet fan run along and worry about that big game with Cornflake State queerboy.
DawginLex
September 1st, 2009
9:08 am
Everyone is predicting 3 SEC losses in the upcoming games. I don’t see 3 but I do see 1-NCSU is gonna whip the Ole Obnoxious one.
The other two should be close games but I am predicting:
BAMA 24
VT 13
UGA 36
OSU 35
Kendawg
September 1st, 2009
9:09 am
If UGA wins Saturday, will we once again hear that the opponent was “overrated”?
Topp Dogg
September 1st, 2009
9:10 am
Gay Root and GAY -Y jelly go together like GT and nerds.
GWJ
September 1st, 2009
9:13 am
Bill, you would have to admit, that we have been VERY fortunate with the lack of ANY serious injuries during camp. Quintin Banks (not playing) and Caleb King (almost 100% not playing) will not play vs OSU. Chris Davis and Ben Jones missed some practices. As Richt said, they are ready and the missed time will NOT be a factor. Reshad Jones and Bryan Evans are veterans and will be ready. As Richt said, the young guys (Rambo, Cummings and Pugh) got some excellent work. This added depth will benefit our secondary in the long run. Bottomline, NO excuses about injuries, please. Looking forward to my first visit to Stillwater!! Go Dogs!
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
September 1st, 2009
9:19 am
Well, I sure hope my Dawgs win. I hate it when they lose. First of all, all them UGA car flags get piled up on the dirt road leading to my trailer. Then, nine months later, none of the nurses or Drs. in the maternity wards in the state have anything to do. And then we got to read all the excuses about the refs calls and the hurt GA players and the demands to fire Martinez and Richt. Anyhow, I’ll have my big screen TV on in the trailer Saturday p.m. hoping like heck we don’t have to go thru all that again like we done against Alabama.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
September 1st, 2009
9:19 am
OSU 45 – Georgia 3 as OU’s little (and weaker) cousin right sizes another SEC chump.
JaxDawg
September 1st, 2009
9:20 am
I think this year’s defense will be closer to the 07 one than the last year’s. We were missing two KEY components of the 07 defense in J.Owens and M.Washington. If you go back and look at why the 07 defense was so dominant those two had a LOT to do with it.
As I’ve stated before pressure from the QB has more to do with a dominant interior line than the DEs.
The keys to sacking/pressuring the QB are as follows:
1. The DTs must get a good push up the middle and take the “pocket” away from the QB. Once this happens the QB can only go back or two his left or right
2. The DEs must now do their job and close in from either side to completely colapse the “pocket”.
3. If excuted the QB is either forced into the “loving arms” of one of the D-lineman OR forced backwards and throw off is back foot which 90% of the time will result in a poorly thrown/under thrown pass that the secondary can hopefully make a play on.
We have 4 “starters” in our tackles with Owens, Atkins, Weston, and Tyson. They will be fresh all game long and will wear down the interior line. Throw in a couple of will timed LB/Saftey blitzes and it’s going to be a long day for Robinson. What the DE’s CAN NOT do is allow him to use his legs to get around them, however we have more than enough speed in the LB corps to make up for it, and I’d imagine Robinson will have a spy dedicated to him.
As for the offense we will be just fine. We have a TON of talent and speed, that may come out a bit raw in the first half, but once they get settled into the game and the intial amped up feelings subside, they should move the ball without too many problems.
I have a feeling this team will be playing with a pretty big chip on their shoulders and both units feel like they have a lot to prove. This game win or lose will set the tone for the winner.
Dawgs 38 Pokes 24
GO DAWGS!
ler
September 1st, 2009
9:21 am
oh, and it u do make it to Stillwater, visit Hideaway Pizza and have a beer at Eskimo Joes !!
DawginLex
September 1st, 2009
9:21 am
The answer to the question is “yes”, we will all hear about how OSU was overrated if UGA wins. If we lose, it will be the end of the world as we know it according to the nerd herd. Neither will be true of course.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
September 1st, 2009
9:24 am
OSU 35 – UGA 3 as OU’s little (and far weaker) cousin chops another SEC chump.