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.
T.O
September 1st, 2009
9:28 am
Deputy Dawg is a loser Tech fan. UGA wins this game easily 38-21. OSU is not even close to being an elite team. Tech goes 7-5 with a trip to the papajohns.com bowl. OUCH!
superDawg
September 1st, 2009
9:28 am
deputy dawg you must be one of the nerd herd use your real name.I have good money that you are saint simons,or m.turn in your badge for your stupid sign.
TS
September 1st, 2009
9:30 am
Wyld Byll- what just happened to Oklahoma in the National Championship game? And Texas Tech in the Rose Bowl?
richtfan
September 1st, 2009
9:31 am
i think we’ll be pleasantly surprised at what the Dawgs put on the field Saturday.
DawgNation
September 1st, 2009
9:32 am
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
We heard your insignificant dribble the first time. No need to re post.
ms
September 1st, 2009
9:33 am
how do I get one of those shirts???
D-Dog-4-u
September 1st, 2009
9:36 am
UGA 41 – 0! Okie State not even a first down!
Lady Di Stillwater Transplant
September 1st, 2009
9:36 am
You GA fans, and especially you GA Dawgs – just maintain that over confident and that “Pokes could never beat our team” attitude, and you might end up with a butt whipping you haven’t seen in a long time – just ask OU about that!
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
September 1st, 2009
9:39 am
TS
September 1st, 2009
9:30 am
They weren’t sitting at home dreaming about what could have been like UGA. Wait a year or two, Florida will go on probation and vacate the title. OU runs a clean program where the players graduate and, frankly, except for Florida, there isn’t an SEC school that wouldn’t trade for OU’s record.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
September 1st, 2009
9:41 am
Interesting fact, the Aggies stadium is the only east-west alignment in DI. Let’s see how the Dogs like the sun.
Deputy Dawg
September 1st, 2009
9:44 am
I am not a GT poser. However I am a realist. No way in heck do we win on Saturday. We won’t be drummed out of Stillwater, but it will still be a loss and a stinging one. I look at us going no better than 7-5 this year. Richt will be on the chopping block and maybe bolt to Florida State. Its in the cards…..
DentalDawg
September 1st, 2009
9:44 am
Did anyone else hear about this??? Wonder if it will keep him from playing for violations?
http://www.stwnewspress.com/local/local_story_243230653.html
could be a big hit to a defense that sucked already! Now A.J. will have over 100 yds!
DawginLex
September 1st, 2009
9:47 am
http://WWW.COLLEGEFOOTBALLNEWS.COM
UGA rated 6th best program in the past 5 years. What do the other 5 have that we don’t? A national title.
Pretty fairly written and doesn’t really slam Coach Richt for the lack of a NT. It does refer to UGA as being elite.
The haters will love that.
Lady OSU
September 1st, 2009
9:48 am
I did ask OU and it appears that they treat OSU as UGA treats GT – as an insignificant team that is jealous of all the attention that OU receives. OSU has NO history. OU owns OSU!
JB
September 1st, 2009
9:49 am
went to Tech blog…..humm….no one there.
reality check
September 1st, 2009
9:51 am
Good post JaxDawg. The defensive end play has always been the key to Georgia’s defense, even back when Erk was coaching. The key to this game is stopping OSU’s running game. If we do that we will beat them like a rented mule. I said if. We should be able to stop them. Everybody wants to be able to predict, but fortune telling is not my specialty.
One of the most telling things I have read about OSU was a comment by one of their defensive players earlier this week. He very respectfully said in response to the question whether stopping Georgia’s running game was the key to defensive success he said that was no more important than stopping the pass. I believe that defensive philosophy is flawed.
I do want to point out though that the 2007 Georgia defense gave up more yards per game than in 2008. Turnover ratio, penalties, and poor field position after kickoffs were the bigger story in 2008, not defensive yards per game.
It is a fact mobile quarterbacks became a real problem for Georgia last year, especially as the year wore on and injuries took their toll. We were burned when we blitzed. Blitzing a guy like Robinson is not a good idea. We need to play zone and focus on stopping the run.
Bob
September 1st, 2009
9:52 am
“Interesting fact, the Aggies stadium is the only east-west alignment in DI. Let’s see how the Dogs like the sun.”
Say what? Ever been to Sanford? Where did you pull this stuff from? LOL
Johnny Test
September 1st, 2009
9:54 am
Who would trade for OUs bowl record? No one I can think of.
Pete
September 1st, 2009
9:58 am
The hype of OSU is going to allow the Dawgs to win. I love this scenario.
Dawg Pound
September 1st, 2009
10:02 am
blah blah blah. The bulldog nation will rise Saturday! Bet on that!!
DawginLex
September 1st, 2009
10:02 am
Perrish Cox is still going to play? WOW! That in and of itself shows the true importance of this game to Okie state. They won’t sit the best corner they have even though he shouldn’t be playing.
Dawg Pound
September 1st, 2009
10:02 am
Joe Cox and the boys are takin on all contenders b/t the hedges this yr. Come and get it. Go Dawgs!!!
Otto
September 1st, 2009
10:03 am
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr, If you have not figured it out. Sanford is east west. If this is your line of research then you clearly do not know enough to be talking smack. Please go back to using your normal screenname of m.
Yellow Fuzz
September 1st, 2009
10:04 am
LOL. After you get rid of that wild hair (opening day), remember you still have to deal with last year’s bitch slapping by Florida and beat down by Georgia Tech. Cut back on the Koolaid and don’t get your rosy azzes too excited. REALITY is coming. Or in the words of Georgia Grad “comming”. LOL.
Denver Dog
September 1st, 2009
10:04 am
Wild Byll, the history speaks differently for OU. I believe that they have the record for vacating NC and wins. UGA’s Sanford stadiu is east west alignment. So you are missing a couple of facts right there. SO LETS GET TO THE REAL ISSUES AND STOP THIS MUD SLINGING
UGA will control the game via the lines of scrimmage. They will run the ball up the gut, and beat you on the corners. The hero’s of the game will be the RB, and a little known TE. There is no way OK State can cover the recievers, and stop the running game. Look for alot of UGA 5-7 minute drives, exceptional special teams play, and great defensive stop.
Clay
September 1st, 2009
10:05 am
Yes, when UGA wins all we’ll hear about is how Ok State was over rated. We heard it with Boise St, we heard with with Hawaii and we heard it with Ok State in 2007. We’ll hear it again on Monday.
Johnny Test
September 1st, 2009
10:05 am
The Dawgs will not be overconfident. Think Joe Cox will be? The players will have more respect for the Ok. St. team than maybe the fans do and I don’t think they will take this lightly at all. Lots of players on the DAWG team have something to prove so hopefully they bring their game cause if they don’t we will pay.
Phoque oSu
September 1st, 2009
10:06 am
93rd nationally in total defense and 109th in pass defense last season. I don’t think it’s gonna get that much better this season…especially since there’s a new d-coordinator in Stillwater.
Johnny Test
September 1st, 2009
10:08 am
Yellow Fuzz, I see your LOBOTOMY surgery was successful.
Yellow Fuzz
September 1st, 2009
10:08 am
“Gearing up for beatdown in Stillwater”
45-42 (Oklahoma State)
JB
September 1st, 2009
10:09 am
What will happen to them is what happened to us last year……waiting on two or three players to win the game. They have 2-3 great players, but not near the supporting cast we do….Their D finished 92 nd last year…….92nd…..In the SEC, where would they have finished. I think coach Richt is a smart man. He more than anyone saw what happened to us last year. I think we play loose, fired up and it will be ugly for OSU.
Trade School Junkie
September 1st, 2009
10:11 am
Folks, the Junkyard BlawB’s assessment here is a complete and total joke. So, lets just take a short look at THE FACTS.
The Blwab said: “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.”
What gets “conveniently” overlooked here is that in 2008, the Big 12 was LOADED with Heisman-caliber QBs, not to mention record-setting QBs from OKST, Baylor, and Nebraska:
1. Chase Daniels at Mizzou
2. Sam Bradford at OK (2008 Heisman winner)
3. Colt McCoy at TX (Likely 2009 Heisman winner)
4. Todd Reesing at Kansas
5. Graham Harrell at TxTech (Destroyed the ENTIRE NCAA QB Record book)
The SEC QBs roster (even including Stafford, Tebow, and Snead), was decidely MEDIOCRE by comparison with the QBs roster in the Big 12 in 2008.
The point is:
Big 12 QBs play was THE MAJOR FACTOR in making Big 12 defenses
look bad, stat wise.
The fact is that Big 12 defensive stats look horrible ON PAPER because the Big 12 was dominated by the Passing Attack in 2008. When you have this roster of QBs in one conference, yeh, you’re gonna throw the ball all over the place.
So, lets look at OKST specifically.
First of all, ANY uga fan “barking” about another team being
“OVER-RATED” is just way too funny for words.
OKST played (4) Top 5-10 teams in 2008 regular seaosn, and lost 3, to TX, OK, and TxTech. Despite the BlawB’s contention, there was nothing over-rated about Mizzou last year. 3 of Mizzou’s 4 losses in 2008 were to Top 5 teams. Their 4th was to OKST. The OKST game vs Texas went down to the last minute of that game. OKST big losses to OK & TxTech were the direct result of truly awful Passing D by OKST.
So, how did uga fair agaisnt the only (2) Top 10 teams they faced last year? Oh yeh, a “funeral” and a beatdown.
So, when you look at the OKST stats for all of their games, what stands out is that OKST (for the most part) had a solid run D, but a very weak Pass D. In OKST’s 28-24 loss to TX, OKST only gave up 113 yds rushing, but 390 yds passing. OKST had a very strong run D, but got abused in the Pass D. Same with OKST losses vs OK and TxTech. But, that was the SAME STORY throughout the Big 12 last year. Solid run Ds, but Pass Ds giving up HUGE yards & points. Thats a reflection of tremendous QB play, not necessarily awful defenses.
So, uga has a big dliemma.
To beat OKST, uga HAS to run the clock, to keep OKST offense off the field. uga wont win an offensive shoot-out here. To do that, ga needs to run the ball. But run D is where OKST is the strongest. To score, ga really needs to pass the ball, where OKST is weakest…but that wont run the clock.
So, uga’s Offensive dilemma comes down to this, either focus on:
A)running the clock or,
B)scoring lots of points.
They wont be able to do BOTH.
uga wont score a lot of points, so uga’s ONLY chance is to prioritize running the clock, and maybe a few screens, and maybe take a few deep shots down the field and hope for some Pass Int calls.
So, uga trying run the ball (and the clock) against OKST is not gonna work. So, it means uga is gonna see a lot of 3 & Outs which will put the OKST offense back on the field.
As for uga’s defense, consider this little tidbit:
Want to guess who led the Big 12 in rushing in 2008?
That’s right: OKST.
So, uga is facing a prolific & high-scoring RUN & PASS attack.
Very bad set-up for uga’s D.
And, for all the BCS reasons I have previously described,
OKST has EVERY SINGLE motivation to really run-up the score here.
Which, I suspect they wil.
So, OKST is gonna CRUSH uga.
I’ll be totally shocked if OKST doesnt win by 20+ points.
So, something like 49-23 is highly likely.
T.O
September 1st, 2009
10:14 am
A beatdown is 38-3 and 51-7 not 45-42. Get it straight.
Ryan
September 1st, 2009
10:17 am
WOW TRADE SCHOOL JUNKIE just proves he’s completely clueless about college football. Can I please have that 20 seconds back it took me to read that nonsense. What an idiot!!
DawginLex
September 1st, 2009
10:20 am
Trade school,
You have already backed off of your original prediction of 66-13 with UGA scoring only in the 2nd half. Now it’s 49-23 with the disclaimer of “highly likely”.
By Saturday afternoon around 3:00 EST, you will be predicting my score.
36-35 UGA
your logic is extremely flawed. OSU was exposed for the lousy defense it has in the bowl game by Oregon, a middle of the road pac 10 team who plays way less defense than UGA does.
You are letting your UGA hatred skew your thought process. You know our D line is better than anything they have faced. You know we have more speed on D than anyone they have faced. You know joe Cox is accurate and will manage the game.
It’s gonna be a fun game, a nail biter. A whole lot better than that glorified scrimmage in ATL.
DentalDawg
September 1st, 2009
10:20 am
Trade School Junkie,
all those stats are nice and everything, but you must have forgotten about the big 12 defenses against non big 12 teams, Florida for one, last year against OU, and Oregon for another, demolished OSU, oh and we can put Ole Miss in there against Texas Tech as well, need we say more. Big 12 is over rated, and their defenses suck!
Yellow Fuzz
September 1st, 2009
10:21 am
L Oklahoma State
L South Carolina
L Arkansas
4. A whole lot of silent dogs
L Florida
6. A whole lot of dogs start deer season early for a change
L Vandy
L Kentucky
9. A whole lot of jealous dogs flood the AJC blogs
L Georgia Tech
11. A whole lot of dogs get interested in gymnastics season rapidly
12. A whole lot of dogs and dog players watch us succeed in the BCSC or Orange Bowl.
13. Georgia has another banner recruiting year-LOL
DirtyDawg
September 1st, 2009
10:24 am
If we play as we should then everything will be fine. If not, then the season will be as tough as the folks have predicted for us. By the way, the forecast for Saturday in Stillwater is for scattered thunderstorms with a high in the mid-80s. We’ll see what comes with that.
AceDawg
September 1st, 2009
10:25 am
Go Dawgs – Sounds like Parrish Cox SHOULD be suspended, but I doubt he will be. OSU fans – I totally think you have a quality offense, but I am not positive it will be the best on the field. UGA scores 40 + each time we play bad teams too!!! Your very best weapons may be better, but we have more of them. Our freshmen receivers, as well as our backup QB Logan Gray that will get some action, will spread y’all out more than you know.
DawginLex
September 1st, 2009
10:25 am
Tech in the BCS championship??????????????????
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Yellow Fuzz
September 1st, 2009
10:28 am
T.O.,
“Get it straight?”
Yes. I stand corrected by the one who received the last beat downs!
Now I know that a beatdown is 31-0 (at the half) and 49-10 (Jax) and 26-0 (3rd qtr Georgia Bowl)
Thanks AZZHOLE!
lance
September 1st, 2009
10:28 am
I do believe that UGA will beat OSU in the game. It will not be decided until the Fourth though. One question that I don’t understand. Was there this many GT fans on this blog from 2001 until last year? This is my first time on here just wondering GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!
DirtyDawg
September 1st, 2009
10:29 am
Meant to mention, I got a friend that’s going to Stillwater with some of his friends. Please Cowboys, don’t start anything with them – especially if we happen to lose – cause they don’t fight fair.
Topp Dogg
September 1st, 2009
10:30 am
If GT or UGA had a player arrested for like charges you can bet they would not play for a while, does not matter who or what position they.Now who is worried about the game?
Phoque oSu
September 1st, 2009
10:32 am
Trade School Junkie, you’re a moron.
Yellow Fuzz
September 1st, 2009
10:33 am
DawgInLace,
We stand a much better chance of running the table in our conference than you do yours. The only sad thing is that kicking your 5-7 FUGLY azz won’t give us much of a boost in the polls late in the season.
reality check
September 1st, 2009
10:41 am
Richt’s stated policy is that he will not hold a player out for a traffic offense unless it is DUI or leaving the scene like he did Boling. Driving on a suspended license and without insurance is not a good thing, but internal punishment is what Tech or Georgia would do.
I’m a Georgia fan, but I have no problem with his playing the game.
DawginLex
September 1st, 2009
10:46 am
Yellow f@aggot,
It’s DawginLex as in Lexington. Use that fine Techmite education for once. As bad as you want UGA to be awful, it only serves to further prove how stupid people like you and m really are. Unlike you, I want OSU to run the table AFTER we beat them. That makes us better.
See the difference?
Expectations of a winner versus a loser like you.
IDIOT
Tim Tebow
September 1st, 2009
10:46 am
UGA- Can you give us a game this year?
murfdawg
September 1st, 2009
10:47 am
Carlton Thomas is going to remind the Cowboys of Barry Sanders and have a great game for the Dawgs. He will be the difference in the game. (unless we cannot tackle like last year).If the defense can hold OSU to 24 or less, we can win. Also, the Dawgs have to survive the first 5 minutes.