Are you worried about Arkansas?
So how are you feeling about the Arkansas game?
Starting way back in the preseason folks have been pointing toward this game as a dangerous one for Georgia, with Tony Barnhart making the point again: Georgia is coming off two tough games while the Hogs have had an off week and have only played a patsy so far, allowing them to begin preparing for the Dogs even before the season started.
But since the South Carolina game I’ve been hearing less trepidation and more confidence in the way Georgia fans are talking about the trip to Fayetteville. Here’s how some of that thinking goes:
While the Dogs didn’t have much success pressuring the Gamecocks’ Stephen Garcia, he was an extremely mobile quarterback. Ryan Mallett, the Michigan transfer now behind center for the Hogs, is big and has a strong arm, but he’s slow and less likely to escape the Georgia pass rush than Garcia was. Also, Georgia will have its best pass rusher, Justin Houston, back for this game.
On the other hand, Mallett has a great tight end in D.J. Williams, and Georgia didn’t do so well defending those quick passes to the tight end against the Gamecocks. And as Mark Richt pointed out in his Tuesday press briefing, it would help if the big men on the Dogs’ defensive line could push a bit harder and get that pocket to collapse sooner.
Back on the positive side, while Arkansas returns seven starters up front on its defense, that unit was terrible last year, finishing last in the SEC in rush defense and scoring defense. And their secondary is inexperienced.
Buck Belue thinks the way to beat the Hogs is to run the ball down their throats and jump out to an early lead, since last season teams that did that tended to blow them out.
Georgia, Belue says, should “give it to [Richard] Samuel 25 times and run it at these guys. Bully ’em. And when they put eight guys in the box, throw it out to A.J. Green and let him put this one on ice.” Georgia’s coaches need to “challenge the O-Line this week. And tell Samuel to expect a full load. The defense is holding up its end of the business. It’s time the offense takes the lead.”
The recipe for success, Belue says, is simple: Pound them with our running game, get up early and go get the QB.
Sounds good to me, but one bit of uncertainty sort of hangs over that equation. Is Samuel up to running the ball that much? You’d think so, but Bulldogs Blog reports that when asked why he took Samuel out of the game for an extended period after Georgia’s first scoring drive against the Gamecocks (when Samuel ran the ball five times and caught a pass), Mike Bobo said part of it was the plays that were called and part of it was that the young back needed resting. “[Samuel] had run several times on that drive and ran physically hard, and we just wanted to get him out of the game,” Bobo said.
I’m sorry, but if our starting tailback needs resting after the opening drive of the game, maybe the Dogs’ conditioning isn’t quite what it’s supposed to be.
Taking all of that into account, I’m cautiously optimistic about Georgia’s chances against the Hogs. How about you?
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153 comments Add your comment
Wiley
September 16th, 2009
10:45 am
I would be worried about every game with that defense. Its gonna be like last year with high scoring shootouts against inferior teams. This time though with out the consistent offense, Stafford, and Moreno, from last year those inferior teams find a way to win.
Daniel #12
September 16th, 2009
10:45 am
Why should I worry about Arkansas? We have an offense that turns the ball over 4 times a game and refuses to run the ball down the throat of the other team even when that is working, special teams that cannot cover kicks and snap the ball over the punter’s head and a defense that gives up points like Monica gave out cigars. What, me worry?
Wiley
September 16th, 2009
10:46 am
comma splice!
Kelly's a Dawg
September 16th, 2009
10:48 am
The question really isn’t “should we run the ball?” It’s “will bobo choose to run the ball?” Geez, did you see how fast #1 is? We should have plenty of plays that take advantage of our running abilities and offensive line. For passing, anyone ever heard of a screen pass?
My real concern is will the defensive play calling adapt to whatever the Hogs throw at us. Is it possible we will rush more than 3 regularly? And can we limit stupid penalties?
The Lone Tumpeter
September 16th, 2009
10:48 am
We need to use a stable of backs, yet if samuel ran the ball the way he did versus SC when he had a chance then he is clearly our number one tailback. It was like night and day with him these last two games. With our offensive line and two tailbacks shouldn’t this always be our startegy?
The Lone Tumpeter
September 16th, 2009
10:50 am
20 carries for king + 20 carries for samuel=UGA victory.
Class of '98
September 16th, 2009
10:53 am
The Dogs flushed Garcia out of the pocket on almost every play. A few mistakes and missed tackles, mostly by the linebackers, let him get free.
We got plenty of pressure on him, Bill, we just couldn’t pay it off very often.
I feel good about the Arky game. We have better athletes, and until Richt proves otherwise, he is still King of the Road.
SOUTHGADAWG88
September 16th, 2009
10:55 am
Samuel at the moment is all we have at RB so I guess they are playing it safe with him.If King gets back I think we will run more knowing we have two guys.I doubt this game turns out as scary as some predict.
Ginger
September 16th, 2009
10:56 am
Agree about the conditioning factor…I really wonder about UGA conditioning when I saw the injuries that we have last year and already this yr —2 knee injuries (Sturdivant and Battle) to key players.
Just read an AJC article about what the Falcons are doing for conditioning with Jeff Fish–Director
of Athletic Performance..His program sounds extremely innovative and Dimitrioff is very High on it.
Bill, please use your contacts with UGA and get CMR to start this program with UGA and while you are at it…please suggest CMR consult with Falcons defensive staff about our porous UGA defense. Urban Meyer was noted in the past to consult with Monte Kiffin when was in Tampa…consult to fix problems…sometimes a different perspective helps one see the problems and what to do.
Ginger
September 16th, 2009
10:59 am
yes I am worried about Arkansas…Petrino (don’t like him after Falcons) knows offense and will challenge our porous defense…until we fix defense–will worry about everyone….Can’t expect our offense to score 30 to 40 points every game.
keith l
September 16th, 2009
11:02 am
I’m worried about everyone on the schedule
michale lipford
September 16th, 2009
11:03 am
i dont thnk we have to wory about arkansas if we condition more and run the ball alot first couple drives and when the pick up on that we should hit a.j. down the sidelines and then if no td get to the goal line and hit moore UGA VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO DAWGZ
Are you high?
September 16th, 2009
11:04 am
Class of ‘98- You need to go back to school if you think we had plenty of pressure on Garcia. He ran Spurriers “Dink and dunk” offense all over Sanford Stadium. I agree with Wiley. We need to worry about every game this year. I hope Houston can make an impact on the pass rush. You can only cover for so long before someone gets open.
Barbara Dooley
September 16th, 2009
11:08 am
I’m extremely worried that Vince won’t fly to Arkansas for the game. Herschel and I have some “special” plans. I just hope Vince won’t mess them up.
haters
September 16th, 2009
11:09 am
Patrino had to deal with Vick…I don’t blame him
Dogs 31-Hogs 17
DawgNation
September 16th, 2009
11:15 am
I am like Coach Dooly use to be. I am worried about all of them. Each game presents its own challenges including the “cupcake” ones. I don’t know much about Arkansas this year but they are a SEC team so that is enough for me to worry about.
L-Dawg
September 16th, 2009
11:15 am
GLORY GLORY TO OLE’ GEORGIA!!!!
SO MUCH FUN FOLLOWING MY TEAM AS OPPOSED TO STALKING ANOTHER!!!
GO DAWGS!!!!
3 SHORT DAYS TIL WE GO 2-0 IN THE SEC
G. Tampa Bedwetter
September 16th, 2009
11:20 am
I would be worried if we played Agnes Scott w/ CWM as Defensive Coordinator.
Minnesota Dawg
September 16th, 2009
11:26 am
I also worry about everyone of our games except Tennessee Tech! We are playing good quality teams that can give us plenty of problems! Even Vandy gives us problems! Execution, few penalties will be the difference in each game especially this weekend in Arkansas. We must take the opportunities when they are there.
I-DOG
September 16th, 2009
11:33 am
Even though I was very disapointed in our defensive performance against SC giving up an astounding 26 first downs to a mediocre offensive team… I like our chances at Arkansas.
Yes, they have had more time to prepare, but they haven’t played anyone yet and that usually hurts a team when their opponent has played two tough games and is more battle tested early in the season.
We were VERY lucky that their WR, Girlie, was penalized when he covered the tight end on the 50 yard TD pass that he caught. That would have been another 7 points and probably would have lost us the game. Yes, it was a penalty, but Prince Miller was lined up 11 yards off the line of scrimmage (like our corners were all night) and Girlie still ran by him covering 55 yards in what it took Prince Miller to run 40.
I know that Miller isn’t that slow and I can only assume that Prince never considered that SC would go deep… when all Girlie had to do was curl up at 7 yards for an easy throw and catch in front of Miller. I think it actually stunned him that SC would try to go deep against such a soft coverage scheme.
azdawg
September 16th, 2009
11:50 am
You could tell Samuel was tiring when he began to run upright and not with his shou;ders down like he did on his first series of running the ball. It was smart to give him a rest considering the backups have very little playing time, are young, and not as punishing a runner as Samual. Maybe their conditioning is questionable. I recall Freddie Gilbert saying the way they prepared for the FL game (cannot recall the year) was def coach erk russel ran ‘em every day the week before the game. He said when the 4th qtr came around they were still fresh and the FL Off was tired. Maybe the current conditioning coaches relie too much on the weight room and mats and could learn something from a hard nosed bloodied coach to get his guys in condition to compete the whole game and not getting tired after a series or two.
Gary
September 16th, 2009
11:57 am
I feel good about the Arkansas game, but I am not taking them lightly. UGA has better athletes and should win this game. However, they should beat SC every year too and a lot of times that is not a given. Arkansas is the SC of the SEC West. You really never know what to make of them until the game has started. They have a decent team and UGA should not, and I don’t think they are, overlook them.
If Bobo is giving the excuse of not running more because of Samuel’s conditioning, then that is a poor excuse from the OC. You have many running attack options in the arsenal that can be used. Gray and Smith can be used on the running attack and you have Thomas as the current #2 back. Plus, as in years past, run the FB more. We have very strong FBs and they can get up the field. Use them to create 2nd and short, 3rd and short scenarios. We have the skill players to have a very balanced run and pass attack. We should see it develop more this week.
atlhawg
September 16th, 2009
11:58 am
Mallett is going to light up Georgia’s secondary. Arkansas O-line can pass block. The scoreboard will be lighting up all night long for Arkansas. 40-17.
DawgFan24
September 16th, 2009
12:07 pm
Atlhawg, put down the pipe. There’s a reason Mallett transferred: cause he blows. Richt and company will get vengence with a thrashing of the Razorbacks this weekend. All of GA will get their revenge on that back-stabbing, yellow-bellied, money-grubbing excuse for a coach they call Bobby. Can’t wait till next weeks blog after the Dawg beatdown entitled “Petrino bolts for the CFL!”
Trashy program
September 16th, 2009
12:09 pm
GSB: “Clean your crap up after you tailgate”
Posted by RSD on 09/15/2009
The Georgia Sports Blog has posted an article that every Dawg fan should read. If you tailgate on North Campus, clean up your mess afterwards!
The amount of trash tossed on the ground during and after UGA football games is disturbing. It’s not that hard to bring a trash bag and put your crap in it. UGA will pick them up later. As they mention, President Adams can and will crack down on tailgating if this continues.
While we are on the subject, always pick up your trash no matter where you are tailgating
dawgstephen
September 16th, 2009
12:12 pm
Yes, I worry because its an SEC game. Petrino as bad as he was with the falcons is a good offensive coach, and they have a week to prepare, maybe longer since they played a nobody the first game. I am hoping that the battle tested dawg will be ready for the rested hogs..SHould be good. I have my keys to the game on my blog.
http://www.dawgstephen.blogspot.com
Brooks
September 16th, 2009
12:13 pm
Enter your comments here
Jake7
September 16th, 2009
12:14 pm
We should beat the HOGS……if we close the HOLES in our D and don’t turn the ball over on the O !
Eric C.
September 16th, 2009
12:14 pm
I remember seeing a middle screen pass attempt against SC and Cox missed badly…that used to be a bread and butter play didn’t it?
Dewey Cox
September 16th, 2009
12:15 pm
Sorry ‘Trashy Program’ we like to have fun and tailgate. We dont sit in the library and do research before our games.
Glenn
September 16th, 2009
12:23 pm
If the Dawgs play a good all around game they win and may win big. If they dont they will be 1-2 and waiting for A. State to come to Athens. The only thing I know for sure is that I have no clue what the Dawgs will do. I give the Dawgs a fifty- fifty chance in all there games except two. There is one in there for sure we will win but there is one in there we will lose unless there is an upset. Anything under forty points a game will be a shame. The old ball coach would kill to have our offense.
toga
September 16th, 2009
12:26 pm
I see an overtime game with Arkansas winning by a field goal. Georgia will not be fired up or ready. Petrino is a better coach and it will cost Georgia the game. I know it is hard for Georgia fans to see but Richt is an average coach at best and will cost Georgia 3 or 4 games this year. When Georgia gets a top level coach, they will see how soft Richt was with all the talent.
Mobile Dawg
September 16th, 2009
12:32 pm
Honestly I worry about every game, how we prep, game plan, offensively and defensively, and coaching. I worry more about the offensive side of the ball because we don’t have an identity. I don’t understand the logic concerning our offensive game plan. IMO, I think the coaches think they are trying to outsmart the opponents. Everyone recognizes we have an inexperienced QB, a deep powerful offensive line even without Sturdivant, a power running back, with back ups that haven’t seen action, yet we keep trying to run a finesse offense rather than playing to our strengths. Establish the run, if at first you don’t succeed, keep trying. You will! Then watch out for AJ and company with a tired defense. Sometimes you start slowly, then gain momentum. Again, I don’t understand our affinity for the big play, rather than playing solid fundamental football.
I’m no Lou Holtz fan, matter of fact I turn him off when (gag) Dr. Lou spews his knowledge. I did manage to listen to his interview on ESPN radio this morning and his comments about Ohio State fit our situation exactly when concerning our offense. We don’t have an identity and we don’t seem concerned with establishing one. USCw ran the ball 4 times on their winning drive against OSU. Fourth and two, they ran it in for the TD, what would we have done? I asked the question yesterday, would you rather win ugly, or lose trying to be flashy, no responses. I have been quiet thus far about our coaching staffs game planning but frankly I wonder what drives their decision making and question it quite often. I believe we win at OK St with a different game plan, or more correctly staying with what worked the first drive.
UGA has one of the top 5 programs in the country, repeatedly top tier recruiting classes, what’s the problem. No I’m not satisfied with 10 wins when the 3 losses occur in the fashion they did last year. NO way anyone in the Country beats the Dawgs like a drum, there is a pattern here that needs to change. Those that say that Richt needs fire and intensity are right to a degree, but he doesn’t have to be the primary source. I’ll say it again, and he may not be interested, but what this team needs is a David Pollack style assistant coach. A man with integrity but a motor that only God can control. Unfortunately I really believe there needs to be some changes in our Assistant coaches. We’re stale.
All that said, I still love the Dawgs but do get disappointed when I see so much potential. Alas, it’s just a game, I’m not calling for a coaching change even if I believe some changes would be beneficial, I support our team, I just don’t agree or understand the way we approach the game, and have a right to voice my opinion.
This Dawg hopes that the Coach will follow Belue’s thoughts, run first, run hard, continue running, and then light’em up. This could be a huge win Saturday, IF we can find the identity we’re lacking.
TW
September 16th, 2009
12:33 pm
Belue also thinks our LBs are as solid as any in the land.
I guess it’s just nobody’s fault that we give up 30 a game.
When did the Dawgs join the rec department?
GET OUR TALENT A DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR! NOBODY HAS THE TALENT WE HAVE ON DEF AND DOES AS BADLY AS WE DO! NOBODY!
How much more talent are we going to waste before we bring in a DC?
Tenndawg
September 16th, 2009
12:35 pm
Facy is folks…….you can’t beat nobody if you can’t tackle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris
September 16th, 2009
12:35 pm
Heck yeah I’m worried. I’m worried about every game because the same problems we had last year are still there. Too many penalties, bad coaching, bad defense, and an O.C. who abandons the run too quick.
I totally agree with Buck. We need to pound the ball and run, run, run. However, we needed to do that agains Ok. State and didn’t. We needed to do that against S.C. and didn’t. Bobo will never do it. He needs to be removed from his position. There is no excuse for his continued bone headed calls year after year.
Cuz
September 16th, 2009
12:38 pm
Petrino is a better coach? How can you tell? He never stays in one place long enough.
The Swine are going down like sausage biscuits and gravy.
UGA-38 ARKANSAS-24
Gary
September 16th, 2009
12:41 pm
Please will the bandwagon people shut up about Coach Richt being “average”? He has long proven that he is anything but average. Sure, we would love a National Championship as all teams would, but let us not sell short the 2 SEC Championships, multiple 10 win seasons, and top 10 rankings. These are far and away better than the collection Donnan and Goff gave us. Coach Richt has had the Dawgs in position twice to at least play for the NC, but the polls and the ball did not bounce our way in 02 and 07.
Rearview mirror
September 16th, 2009
12:42 pm
It’s just amazing to read how the “Dawg Nation” feels today vs. this time last year!
timthebrave
September 16th, 2009
12:43 pm
It will be a tough game and I am worried but I think we can beat them in the end. I’m hoping that we beat them so bad that Petrino quits after this game. Go Dawgs!
I-DOG
September 16th, 2009
12:45 pm
AZdawg:
You may be right that Samuels tires after just a half dozen carries. Although I didn’t notice him running too upright and I thought he ran hard the whole game and was seemingly running downhill. If he is tired, it seems like we could run the fullback once or twice instead of going shotgun and throwing. With our offensive line, seems like we could get 2-4 yards running the fullback every now and then if King isn’t ready and Samuels needs a little break.
Mobile Dawg
September 16th, 2009
12:46 pm
Gary, not to be negative but if we hadn’t gotten blown out by Tennessee in 07 we would have played for the MNC. Nobody is comparing Richt to Goff or Donnan. We just all have our opinions and love our Dawgs.
Cuz, game time is to late for Sausage N’ Biscuits. I’m more primed for some Bar B Que’d HOG washed down by a cold one….
timthebrave
September 16th, 2009
12:47 pm
TW- Our linebackers are really good. Have you heard of a guy named Curran? Our defense is not great but the linebacker position is one of bright spots on the defense
GATOR CHOMP
September 16th, 2009
12:52 pm
The HOGS will win this one with ease “BOOK IT”
gatorman770
September 16th, 2009
12:55 pm
No, not at all!
Gary
September 16th, 2009
12:59 pm
Mobile, but if Richt were just an average coach (which is what I think Donnan and Goff were) then the Dawgs would not have been just a blowout at Tennessee or a dropped TD against SC away from playing for the SEC and National Championship. An average team would have mailed it in after the Tennessee debacle or would have not come back to beat Auburn in the second half after blowing the lead later that same year.
I don’t mind the play call or scheme questioning and criticism that is directed towards Coach Richt, but calling him average is just insane. In 1973 (After Dooley’s 8th season), Georgia had 2 SEC Championships and no National Championships. Would we back then have considered Dooley an average coach? We all know how the rest of his tenure turned out, but his first 8 years nearly mirror those of Coach Richt’s teams.
ATL GATOR
September 16th, 2009
1:00 pm
4 more TD’s until Tebow breaks Herschel Talkers record. Ouch!!!
Booby "Pig Sooey" Patrino
September 16th, 2009
1:04 pm
Come on over bull-pups. We are licking our chops.
Got to run, I have letters to deliver in my players lockers before sneaking out.
Sooey!
Barbara Dooley
September 16th, 2009
1:04 pm
Vince, honey hurry up and pack your bags. I have a BIG weekend planned.
Barbara Dooley
September 16th, 2009
1:05 pm
Oh Hershcel, oh Herschel.