Matchup: Georgia rushing offense vs. Alabama rushing defense
Each day this week, the AJC will take a quick look at a matchup in the SEC Championship game. Today: Georgia’s rushing offense vs. Alabama’s rushing defense.
Georgia rushing offense
Key stats: Todd Gurley has run for 1,138 yards, more than any true freshman in UGA history except Herschel Walker. Keith Marshall — Gurley’s running mate and roomate — has run for 720 yards, eighth most by a UGA freshman.
Season high point: Of many impressive performances, Gurley’s 118 yards on 27 fumble-free carries against Florida’s stellar defense was tops.
Season low point: Gurley and Marshall had 39 and 37 yards, respectively, against South Carolina in Georgia’s lone loss. The offensive line struggled, but offensive coordinator Mike Bobo later lamented abandoning the run too soon.
Name to know: “Gurshall”
Alabama rushing defense
Key stats: Alabama is the toughest team in the SEC to run against, yielding 77 rushing yards per game. The Crimson Tide has allowed only seven rushing touchdowns all season and only one player to run for 100-plus yards (LSU’s Jeremy Hill, 107 on 29 carries).
Season high point: Alabama held Missouri to just three — three! — rushing yards.
Season low point: Alabama gave up 165 rushing yards in its loss to Texas A&M, including 92 on 18 carries by quarterback Johnny Manziel.
Name to know: Senior nose guard Jesse Williams is from Brisbane, Australia, one of only four Australians playing FBS football at a position other than punter.
READ ALL ABOUT IT: THE AJC’S COMPLETE (AND CONTINUOUS) SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME COVERAGE
- More to come.
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177 comments Add your comment
MurfDawg
November 26th, 2012
11:17 am
Didn’t LSU have Bama beat for 59 minutes without a running qb? If I were coaching the offense, I would look at the LSU game plan.
Bama played LSU and TA&M. Won one and lost one. UGA played USC and FL. Won one and lost one. Or do you want to compare the FAU and AU games?
Bama is good and the Dawgs are playing really good now. I think this will be a better game than the MNC.
td
November 26th, 2012
11:23 am
If you only read this blog or listened to ESPN then you would think that Alabama is an NFL team and would be undefeated in the league. Those poor UGA players are outmatched at every position and should not even show up to play the game.
ARdawg
November 26th, 2012
11:28 am
Bama does have a much better O than FL. The Georgia D will have to have a complete “A” game. Bama also has a weaker D than FL. Pound for pound, FL has one of the better defenses in the country and it pains me to say that. The Georgia offense will score. How much they score will depend on Bobo finding and exploiting the secondary weaknesses of Bama. A few successful passes and the running game will soften. Bama will have their hands full
TopDawg
November 26th, 2012
11:29 am
U remember ga southern rushed for over 300 yards against Alabama.
LMAO
November 26th, 2012
11:30 am
Love it when someone mispells genius….
1776
November 26th, 2012
11:31 am
UGA has the (raw) talent and potential to win this game (& whoop ND). However, it’ll boil down to line play…BOTH offensive and defense. The Dawgs also need to protect the ball and get a few turnovers. They don’t necessarily have to play flawlessly…but dang close to it.
Hambone
November 26th, 2012
11:36 am
Will UGA be the home team, and will they wear red jerseys ?
Silly Bloggers
November 26th, 2012
11:37 am
I’m not big into signs and omens; however, it is ironic that we have a chance to win a National Championship 32 years after our last one against the same college team…Notre Dame. Also, UGA’s fall from prominence under Richt began with the trouncing we took against Bama in the blackout. It would be sweet to return to national prominence by beating the same team that started our downward spiral.
lord saban
November 26th, 2012
11:39 am
Jb,
Georgia is gonna pop bama in the mouth with their D? Puhleeze! Bama has 3 o lineman all projected to go 1st round in the draft. The least of the 3 is Barrett Jones who won the outland trophy last year. The other 2 lineman are 6″6 330lb tackle kuandijo and 3 year starter Charlie Steen. Both will play on Sundays and kuandijo was the #2 recruit in the country coming out of high school. He is projected as a 1st rounder next year after his jr. year. Your defense has no clue what kind of brute force is about to hit them.
lord saban
November 26th, 2012
11:45 am
Murfdawg,
What planet do you live on that lsu had bama beat for 59 minutes? We led most of the game and if we don’t fumble a qb rb handoff exchange as we’re going in to score then we go up 21-3 in that game and it would essentially be over. Speaking of lsu how did guys fare in your last game with them?
Just Saying....
November 26th, 2012
11:45 am
@ TopDawg You have to remember that was LAST YEAR.
ARdawg
November 26th, 2012
11:46 am
1776
A stiffened defense and a good balanced offensive attack and Bama is beaten. Saban’s MO is to take away whatever the opposition does best. A balance offensive attack is a good counter to Bama’s gameplan
TIM BUCK
November 26th, 2012
11:46 am
NCDAWG SAYS GAWGEE HAS THE MOST BALANCED OFFENSIVE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.Why does the Georgia fans keep saying that? Yall sound ignorant. ITS REAL SIMPLE dawg FANS…BAMA 218 YARDS A GM PASSING AND 214 YARDS A GM. RUSHING (BEST IN THE COUNTRY BY FAR!!!!!!!!!)…………..GAWGEE 273 AND 190………..WHEN THE SHIETEATERS GET BEAT THE SUICIDE WATCH WILL CONTINUE IN GAWGEE…..DROUGHT 1980
OneNationUnderDawg
November 26th, 2012
11:47 am
Here is what concerns me (and many of you have alluded to – or said this)…This game comes down to Mark Richt/Mike Bobo offensive play calling versus Nick Saban/Kirby Smart defensive play calling. And I think Saban and Smart have the advantage. So, in my opinion, we need to hope that AJ decides to pass the ball to Bacarri Rambo a couple times
lord saban
November 26th, 2012
11:48 am
Topdawg,
Gsu rushed for over 300 yards with their option against bama? Yep. And how did that work out for Jordan Jefferson when he tried running the option against bama?
Roll Tide
November 26th, 2012
11:51 am
Roll Tide! Alabama will win the national championship again and then make it three straight in 2013.
You heard it hear first.
Silly Bloggers
November 26th, 2012
11:52 am
I love the over-confidence of Bama…though to be fair, there are Dawg fans a bit overconfident as well…though in much lower numbers. The truth is, Bama has a more experienced and disciplined team than UGA…and I’m not talking just Seniors vs. Freshman. Many of the players on this team have won SEC Championships and National Championships. Saban is unquestionable a fantastic coach for college football.
With that being said, UGA can beat Bama. The teams are eerily similar. Bama’s strength is their offensive line. If they have their way with us up-front, we lose. If we have moderate success running the ball on our end, that sets up the play-action which could be the difference-maker in the game.
If both teams have moderate success running the ball, it comes down to turnovers and most likely Big Game Murray. This is not a mismatch. If Saban had a month to prepare for this game, I think UGA would be in a lot of trouble. With one week to prepare, I think this game goes the distance. My biggest concern is not so much Bama’s o-line, but that our boys have been playing an option for two straight weeks. It is going to take UGA a quarter or more to settle down against an NFL-style offense. If UGA weathers that, it is anyone’s game.
lord saban
November 26th, 2012
11:56 am
You nuts are delusional if you think you can handle Alabama on either side of the line of scrimmage. You don’t have the horses we have and you have no prayer in the trenches. Btw bama leads the nation in scoring defense and is 2nd in total D. Please point out to me just game where Murray excelled against a top tier defense. Just one game.
Dirty Dawg
November 26th, 2012
11:57 am
Hey folks, lets not act like we’ve got some special, heretofore never revealed, news about the offensive line needing to excel. It’s always about the line of scrimmage…if our guys, on either side of the ball, don’t dominate or, at least, hold their own against those other guys, we don’t stand much of a chance of winning…and that goes for the Alabama team as well. Play it straight up guys…don’t bite on the play action – it’s what put us that hole in SC – of course Ala doesn’t have a Lattimore but they do have a good running game and a good QB. I like our chances, but they’re still ‘chances’…which can go either way. But better here than Columbia, Auburn, Knoxville, or just about any other place you can name.
Old Dawg
November 26th, 2012
12:00 pm
Hey Joey, you are on point. Turnovers aren’t “given”, they’re “caused”. A team creates it’s own “gifts”, and the Dawgs created a bunch of them with good team play against the Gators. That said, I am cautiously optimistic about the SECCG.
ARdawg
November 26th, 2012
12:01 pm
Saban
A&M handled your boys in the trenches pretty well. Our defensive front is as big and good as your OL. Our OL are coming into their own. You have to pray your defense can shut down our offense and make it one dimensional. Good luck with that while your secondary is fruit waiting to be plucked
ARdawg
November 26th, 2012
12:04 pm
Dirty Dawg
Our running game is about even. Our QB is better and our defense is better. They will expect us to pass often. It is my hope we can establish a ground game early and then pick them apart at will
Just Saying....
November 26th, 2012
12:07 pm
@ lord saban-Remember that when I say this I am an Alabama fan. I think you should probably re-read what you are saying before you post it under the name “Lord Saban”, because every good Alabama fan knows that Nick Saban tells his players day in and day out that they cannot write off their opponent. UGA has the potential to beat Alabama. By posting these comments, you are making Alabama fans look bad and you are discrediting a very talented UGA team. You can have confidence in our team without looking ignorant.
The SEC Rules! blog
November 26th, 2012
12:08 pm
SEC Winner-42 Notre Dame-14
SEC IMPLEMENTS BCS PLAYOFF-
This kind of keeps happening, doesn’t it? The SEC championship game is a play in, again, to the BCS title game. I think last years BCS title, featuring TWO SEC teams is what forced the BCS’ hand and made them create the four team playoff for 2014. But hey, we’ve got half of it right now. The #2 and #3 teams are playing in the SEC championship game to be in the BCS title game.
It would be the 7th consecutive National Championship for the SEC if they win. There has never been such conference dominance in NCAA football, has there?
No matter who wins that game, Notre Dame will be facing as many future NFL players, in one game, as they’ve seen the whole season. With the long recovery time available for the SEC winner, it’s hard to see Notre Dame staying in the game till the end.
Early Pick-
SEC Winner-42 Notre Dame-14
THE SEC RULES blog
http://thesecrules.blogspot.com/
Alabama Fan
November 26th, 2012
12:15 pm
This could be the game of the century…UGA is a fantastic team which is playing very well right now.
Alabama needs to stop the run and make Murray throw and get pressure. If we don’t do that, UGA will roll. I hate that ESPN is already talking about a ND – Alabama NC.
Amazed
November 26th, 2012
12:18 pm
If alabama’s defense is rated #1 in most categories how is Georgia’s better? Alabama averages 1 more point a game on offense yet Georgia’s is better. Alabama has more sacks on the year yet Georgia’s Pass rush is better? Please help a fellow dawg understand.
DIT
November 26th, 2012
12:23 pm
I agree that Bama is the best team until someone beats them to take their place. They should be favored and it will take an enormous game from the Dawgs to win. Yes, it is possible as everyone knows anything can happen in College Football.
Bobo needs to open that play book up and not be afraid to try anything. Bottom line is that if we can’t run the ball, forget it.
TIM BUCK
November 26th, 2012
12:24 pm
ARDAWG HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? Georgia’s D is better??????????? PASS DA PIPE BRO.
GS-VSU
November 26th, 2012
12:24 pm
ISN’T GLORY TO OLD GEORGIA THE SAME TUNE AS AUBURNS FIGHT SONG? HOW CREATIVE ….. FOR ALL YOU ON AGAIN OFF AGAIN DOG FANS THAT LAST YEAR WANTED TO FIRE RICHT AND GRANTHAM……I GUESS NEXT YEAR YOU CAN HAVE VAN GROT BACK… I HEARD HIS WIFE LOVED ATHENS…..
HPDawg
November 26th, 2012
12:29 pm
Dawgs have an advantage here in this first matchup. I believe if Georgia remains committed to the run, the Bama D will tire late, then hit it where it hurts.
GO DAWGS, put it on the Tide!!!
carbon
November 26th, 2012
12:30 pm
GA’s offensive line seems to me to be the key to the outcome. If they can protect Murray and crete a few holes for Gurley/Marshall, GA has a chance. I think the GA defense can keep the Bama offense stalemated for the most part — if they can’t, the Dawgs are sunk for sure. Give Bama credit for experience in the big games and one of America’s finest coaches. GA is playing very well, has plenty of motivation and the talent to win, however. I see if very close, a really exciting game, GA winning 20-17.
ugab
November 26th, 2012
12:32 pm
Alabama’s OL is the best in the nation. The dawgs OL is off and on. It may be the difference.
dawgfacedboy
November 26th, 2012
12:32 pm
O line will dictate everything. Cliche’ answer I know but it’s true. If the O line shows up then the running game should be ok. If Murray isn’t running for his life or expected to account for 100% of the offense through the passing game then we should be ok. If they can refrain from multiple 3 and outs then the D should be able to get their breath and continue to play tough and make plays.
IMO it all rests on the O line. If there are no holes to run through and Murray is constantly under pressure then forget about it.
BullDawgRick
November 26th, 2012
12:34 pm
Bama has not faced a team this season that’s offense as well rounded as UGA’s…
>2 TO’s & UGA wins!!
Jimmy Crack
November 26th, 2012
12:40 pm
Where did they come up with the name “Gurshall”?
Just kidding. Bob Neal just told us this week for the 1000th time.
O'Ventbrel
November 26th, 2012
12:42 pm
Bacarri Rambo may have seemed too brash saying UGA is more talented, but ESPN college guys have also been saying UGA is more talented. Since the Tide now have some bulletin board material, UGA coaches may as well show some highlights from the Blackout game and print out those old Pat Dye comments from 2002 about UGA not being man enough to play with Bama.
Maybe that kind of thing is overblown, but both teams will certainly have something to prove on Saturday.
BILLY JACK
November 26th, 2012
12:43 pm
Georgia is the home team will wear red-if UGA plays fast on Sat and Gurley and Marshall can establish any kind of a running game Georgia will be in it to the end.Murray just has to be good not great-UGA does have better players and the April draft will prove it but sometimes in big games the best team does not win.Georgia has to hit bama in the mouth like they did Florida and its game on.Floridas def is a little better than bama in my opinion but bamas offense is better than the gators.This is the national title game and the rest of the country hates it.I see the SEC in the national title game for years to come.I also heard this morning that ACC championship ticketes were going for 4 dollars each………that is about the saddest thing I ever heard of.
LoyalDog
November 26th, 2012
12:47 pm
“UGA O-line and D-line are not man enough to play Bama. We are too soft up front. Are we mean enough to win the battle in the trenches? Of course we are not. ” According to all the pundits, UGA should not even show up. It is already ordained. Almighty Bama, wins. Everyone treating the Dawgs like poodles.
ARdawg
November 26th, 2012
12:47 pm
For all you Nerds pretending to be Bama homers. The game will be played on Saturday. If you can tear yourself away from the ACC consolation game, tune in and watch how football is really played.
YES, Georgia has a better defense than Alabama
Alphare
November 26th, 2012
12:48 pm
(1) Murray has NEVER performed against good team. EVER. So unless Murray suddenly grows a pair of wings, I don’t expect him to be a factor in this game. BTW, Alabama is no ordinary good team you played in the past 3 years. Murray is no Johnny.
(2) Gurshall are good, and should be the major weapons for dawgs. If they are stuffed, UGA has no chance.
Yella Britches
November 26th, 2012
12:50 pm
AR Dawg- GT had over 300 yards rushing on your sorry A$$ defense….
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
ARdawg
November 26th, 2012
12:52 pm
Yella britches
Do you happen to remember the score of that game?
Joey Hanie
November 26th, 2012
12:53 pm
I was born in 1979, so this WILL BE the biggest game i have ever seen UGA play. Win or loose, I’m still proud and very excited for our future. Don’t have any regrets DAWGS! GO DAWGS!!!!!!! GATA
ARdawg
November 26th, 2012
12:55 pm
LOL….sorry azz defense? It took the scrubs coming on to the field before your jackleggs could even see the end zone
ARdawg
November 26th, 2012
12:56 pm
Yella Britches
Yeah I didn’t think so. 42-10 loser and thats because Richt took some mercy on you maggots
Alphare
November 26th, 2012
12:57 pm
Yella Britches,
you do have a good point there despite the score, dawg D is not as good as some fans think it is.
ARdawg
November 26th, 2012
1:00 pm
Alphare
He has no point and neither do you.
WE OWN THIS STATE
Country Dawg
November 26th, 2012
1:02 pm
Where are all of you idiots that was calling for Richt’s head after the South Carolina loss?!!!
Alphare
November 26th, 2012
1:03 pm
ARdawg,
his good point is Tech rushed over 300 yards over the dawgs, which means your rush defense has holes. I don’t have stats about where dawgs are ranked on rush D, but I don’t think it’s on the top 10. BAMA’s should be top 5.
Big C
November 26th, 2012
1:05 pm
Congrats to the Bulldog nation. Your Dawgs really showed up against my Jackets. Good Luck in the SEC title game, but I can’t say that I want either SEC team to win the NC.