Quarterbacks Murray, McCarron in SEC title game spotlight
ATHENS -- Aaron Murray isn’t talking to the media this week, but plenty of people are talking about him.
One of the top conversation pieces in advance of Saturday’s SEC Championship game is the matchup of Georgia’s Murray vs. Alabama’s AJ McCarron — quarterbacks who rank Nos. 1 and 2 in the nation, respectively, in passing efficiency.
Dogs hope Aaron Murray's play speaks for itself Saturday.
“The quarterback position, with two great defenses, will determine who wins this game,” ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer, a former Florida quarterback, said on air.
No one doubts second-year starter McCarron’s ability to win a mega-game. He was the offensive Most Valuable Player of last season’s BCS title-game victory over LSU, and in this season’s rematch with the Tigers he calmly led the Crimson Tide on a 72-yard touchdown drive to win the game at the end.
Murray does not have that type of big-game resume, leaving open to discussion the question of whether he can step up against an elite defense such as Alabama’s. Against the two best defenses Georgia has faced so far this season, Murray completed 11 of 31 passes for 109 yards in a loss to South Carolina and 12 of 24 for 150 yards (with three first-half interceptions) in a win over Florida.
By all accounts, he’ll have to do better than that for Georgia to upset Alabama and secure a spot in the national-title game.
Alabama coach Nick Saban “makes you play NFL-style football against them. Your quarterback has to complete passes,” CBS analyst Gary Danielson said. “When you do it, like (LSU’s Zach) Mettenberger did or (Texas A&M’s) Johnny Manziel did, they’re vulnerable. But if you don’t have a quarterback who can do it, forget it; you have no chance.”
For all of Murray’s gaudy numbers — 9,399 yards passing and 89 touchdown passes in three seasons as Georgia’s starting quarterback — he no doubt would be asked about his lack of signature victories if he were entertaining questions from the media this week. Normally one of the team’s more accessible players, Murray opted to skip interviews.
Coach Mark Richt said Murray needed to complete “two big papers” for his graduate-level psychology classes and then wanted to “submerge himself into film study” and focus on Alabama.
“I know this one means so much to him,” said Georgia linebacker Christian Robinson, a close friend of Murray’s. “This is the biggest game of our career.”
Murray got a flurry of questions about signature victories before the Florida game, which turned out to be Georgia’s first win in three years over a top-10 opponent.
“I don’t even think about it, really,” Murray said at the time. “It’s a team game. I’m not playing … any top team all by myself.”
Certainly, many other factors will help shape Saturday’s game. But none will get more analysis than Murray vs. McCarron.
AJ McCarron has thrown only two interceptions in 265 passes this season. (AP photo)
“No quarterback ever has success without the help of his teammates,” Richt said. “But quarterback play, as we all know, is very crucial.
“Guys can get in the middle of a game and make some great plays, but guys can get in the middle of a game, try to do too much, put their teams in a bad situation. … I think everybody is going to have to be a little bit patient in this game (with) two really fine defenses playing.”
Murray has thrown for 3,201 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, McCarron for 2,507 yards and 25 touchdowns. Both have completed 67 percent of their passes. McCarron has thrown just two interceptions out of 265 passes (both against Texas A&M), Murray seven interceptions out of 320 passes. Murray leads the nation with a passing efficiency rating of 177.2, followed by McCarron’s 176.3.
Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said McCarron “gets in the right plays. He protects the ball. He understands defenses and what’s coming. And when the game was on the line at LSU, he did go win it. … He’s got some weapons around him that obviously help him, and he’s got an offensive line that is good.”
Saban, meanwhile, said Murray is a smart, accurate quarterback who “knows exactly what he wants to do with the ball” and manages the game well. “Everybody thinks when I say a guy is a good game manager, that’s a negative, but I think it’s a real positive,” Saban said. “I think he’s done a phenomenal job of that for their team. … That’s why they’ve been extremely successful on offense.”
Georgia hopes Murray’s game speaks for itself Saturday.
“I want Aaron Murray to be himself,” offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo said. “I want him to cut it loose. I want him to play aggressive. I want him to play like I know he can play and like we all know he can play.”
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81 comments Add your comment
Sammy
November 29th, 2012
12:39 pm
Since 2011, Grantham’s defense has given up 30+ points in 5 out of the last 6 losses.
The defense has only played well against ranked teams ONCE as far as points allowed, and that was Florida in 2012.
the defense HAS to show up for UGA, or UGA has no chance.
Murray has NOTHING to do with it.
NCDawg
November 29th, 2012
12:46 pm
Sammy – our lack of defense is the common thread throughout our recent down turn from 2008-2010. Last year our defense played better and surprise, we won a bunch of games. Yes, our turnovers and ragged special teams play contributed to that but in the end it is defense that is the key.
The inspired play by the defense is what won the UF game. It was the shoddy, uninspired play by the defense that lost the SC game. Turnovers for TD’s is the other contributing factor. Pick 6’s and scoop and run fumble recoveries did us in the SC, LSU, and Mich St. games last year. We lost to Boise St because I defense was out played.
Defense.
NCDawg
November 29th, 2012
12:47 pm
I defense = the defense. Typing issues…just damn
Sammy
November 29th, 2012
12:49 pm
The real story is:
WHy hasn’t Alabama been able to stop ANY SEC ranked team in 2012?
135+ RUSHING YARDS TO LSU and A & M
70-78% completion rate for opposing Qb’s and giving up OVER 8 yards per pass attempt in both games
Also, why has Bama’s defense only forced 1 takeaway per game over the last 3 games?
There are a LOT of problems with the 2012 Alabama defense, and I don’t think Saban and Smart can fix them all in one week or one month.
Look for a repeat of the 2 game sagainst SEC ranked teams:
1) UGA will run the ball at will like BOTH LSU and A/M did
2) UGA will pass the ball with 70+ accuracy, and get 8+ yards per pass attempt like BOTH LSU and A/M did.
3) UGA will win the turnover battle, Bama’s D has lost their focus on takeaways, and UGA has turned it up there, Jarvis Jones will be the defference in the game, and RAMBO will atone for his error aganst SC. Jordan Jenkins and Damin Swann will also wreak havoc.
Sammy
November 29th, 2012
12:55 pm
The spotlight should be on the UGA defense.
Can Grantham show up better than 1 in 6 games against ranked teams and hold the other team to a low score total?
Will Jarvis Jones, Swann, Rambo, Jordan Jenkins, force turnovers like they have done in other games?
Will the UGA defense crumble in the red zone like LSU 2011, or shut down like Florida 2012?
Will Rambo get beat on any deep throws?
Can UGA stop AJ if Bama decides to let him scramble?
Can the UGA special teams not give up any td’s or big plays on punt or kick return?
Joey
November 29th, 2012
12:58 pm
“Since 2011, Grantham’s defense has given up 30+ points in 5 out of the last 6 losses.”
*****************************************
Come on Sammy, I’m a big, big Murray fan, but he has scored a bunch of those points himself with Pick-6’s and fumbles.
Not to mention the terrible special teams play the last two years.
Our points allowed has been a whole-team effort.
Sammy
November 29th, 2012
1:10 pm
Murray had 3 turnovers against Florida in 2011 & 2012, and UGA won, so you can’t say Murray and his turnovers are the key to beating UGA. Murray also had some games where he had no turnovers, and UGA lost.
The defense has to get stops when it counts the most or UGA loses, no matter how GOOD Aaron Murray plays.
Sammy
November 29th, 2012
1:12 pm
Let me say it another way.
The last time UGA played a top ranked team, Auburn #1 ranked in 2010, Murray put up a 275 yard game, with 3 pass td’s, and 0 int’s.
And UGA lost.
Why?
The defense gave up 49 points to Auburn.
Joey
November 29th, 2012
1:17 pm
Sammy, do you read any replys? If you can’t acknowledge the rest of the team contributed to UGA’s past 5 losses, including Murray, you haven’t been watching the games. It hasn’t been the defense’s fault entirely.
And Auburn beat everybody’s defense’s ass in 2010, in case you didn’t notice, including Bama’s, as well as Todd Grantham’s 1st defense.
Cam Newton was a little hard to handle, if you didn’t notice . . .
NYC Dawg
November 29th, 2012
1:34 pm
Sammy…good stuff. Like your analysis and yes the defense has to (and will) come up huge.
I still think Murray is a factor. He may not need to have the game of his life for us to beat UA, but he can’t have a horrible day and give the opposition a short field, multiple times. AM, Gurshall and our receivers will HAVE to make plays and score.
I think we need a minimum of 2 TDs and 3 or 4 FGs. If we can hold UA to just 1 TD and a few FGs…nothing cheap…we can win this thing.
NYC Dawg
November 29th, 2012
1:54 pm
Second and long (e.g., 2nd and 8,9,or 10) is the CRITICAL down/distance for UGA, because it influences our likelihood of success on third down, which determines the success of a drive.
Will Bobo be predictable and run it up the middle for no gain, thus putting the offense in a difficult 3rd and long situation? This seems to occur 90% of the time on 2nd and long. Then Murray becomes highly susceptible to pressure and our 3rd down conversion percentage falls into single digits.
Or will Bobo get creative, and attack down the field, or perhaps hit some screens or slants, or go to our big TEs? We are so much better when we attack (1H of last year’s SECCG). I hate this conventional wisdom that you have to “commit to the run” even when you know, and the opponent knows, it’s not going to work. This approach seems very narrow-minded and predictable…which is why we get stuffed on 2nd and long nearly every time. We need to be smarter than that, if we want to win the championship.
DawginLex
November 29th, 2012
3:22 pm
Key to the game?
Murray being patient. Throw it away and punt. No turnovers
Murray-Hit the deep ball when it is there.
Defense-Shut down the run between the tackles. Make them 1 dimensional and sack the QB at least 6 times.
FG kicker has to make his kicks.
Did I mention no turnovers?
NCDawg
November 29th, 2012
3:24 pm
NYC Dawg – I can see your point but there is a sound reason to commit to the run. Running the ball is necessary against a good defense. If they can just pin their ears back and come after the passer it causes problems in the Red Zone in particular because coverage is always tighter as the field is compressed. The issue is timing. Running on 2nd and 8 following a less than stellar 1st down run is not going to fool anybody but a pocket pass on 2nd and 8 is almost as predictable. We need to hit some quick slants or get a back out on the edge to cause a little doubt.
Crossing up Saban is a must. We can not let him call a game from his standard playbook. That’s stupid. No patterns. Do something strange every once in a while. Take advantage of their stop the run first mentality.
Realist
November 29th, 2012
3:41 pm
In Murray’s defense:
He was spot on in the first half of the 2011 SECCG and his receivers did him no favors.
He was running for his life against South Carolina this year.
A bit unlucky in the first half vs Florida.
He has played spotlessly since the halftime of the Florida game.
That said, it’s less about Murray and more about Georgia’s OL.
Vampire Bill
November 29th, 2012
4:19 pm
Murray will do fine if the OLINE gives him time. It’s that simple. Murray isn’t that fast but he’s tough and smart. I think his big game jitters are behind him. He’s proven to be very effective with good blocking.
flo-ri-duh
November 29th, 2012
4:32 pm
Murray did not lose the game against LSU last year – receivers dropped two TD passes and UGA should have been ahead by 17 at the half. Murray didn’t lose the game against S.C. – poor game plan and OL play along with the defense not showing up lost the game.. The one game I thought he played poorly in was Florida in the 1st half this year but in the 2nd half he played much better. The WRs dropped 4 passes in that game or UGA would have beat Florida by 3 TD’s. UGA’s defense will show up and the OL is much better than when they played S.C. The WRs have to hold on to the ball.
flo-ri-duh
November 29th, 2012
4:42 pm
Richt 3 -2 vs the Gnome Saban…… Saban lost to Louisiana Munroe…… lost to Aubarn after he had a 24 point lead on Cam Newton……. had a losing record in the NFL. Lost to LSU last year and lost to Texas A&M on his home field this year. The gnome ain’t no god. He can be beat.
fan
November 29th, 2012
5:35 pm
johnny manziel had [24/31] 253 passing and [18] 92 rushing for 345 total yards 2 td against big bad alabama; conner shaw [ 6/10] 160 passing and [14] 78 rushing 240 total yards 3 td against uga both teams lost but looking back one man beat alabama for get what espn said they never like uga we got rob in 07 or 08
NCDawg
November 29th, 2012
5:39 pm
Bama knows they are vulnerable… there is no way to deny it. The Dawgs need to bust them in the mouth early and keep on punching. They need to announce early and often “we aren’t going to take your crap!”. They need to be reminded early that they are vulnerable.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 30th, 2012
12:36 am
Oh my, it’s deep here tonight.
Saban lost to Louisiana Monroe and Auburn with a 24 point lead. ..um… okay, and what do you call loosing to UCF? What do you call being blown out by Boise? What do you call being owned by South Carolina year after year? What do you call being annihilated in Columbia? What do you call Cam Newton? Because as far as I can tell, he blew your doors off much worse than ours.
From 2009 until now, Alabama is 46-5 with two BCS National Championships and a Heisman trophy winner.
Georgia same time period? 34-17. Your best completed season was 10-4, which is worse than our worst season of 10-3. You’ve lost to 5 out of the 6 ranked teams you’ve played the last two years. And sure, a 10 win season is a 10 win season but yet you morons actually think you’re better than LSU, who has had 10 win seasons 6 out of 8 years in the SEC WEST and we’re 5 of the last 5 while playing in the SEC WEST.
Saban has won 3 BCS National Championships at 2 different schools, Richt has won 0.
AJ has won a BCS National Championship, in fact, many players on the Alabama roster have won 2. Aaron Murray had his house egged because he never wins big games. None of the Georgia players have won a bowl game since 2008.
Now don’t be the bunch of hypocrites you have to be to justify your record. How come if Murray has a bad game it’s “Murray sucks” but if Driskel has a bad game it’s because the Gawga woof woof Defense is tops? Be consistent, if both are turning it over, then they both suck.
So quick review, your offense is not SEC champ good. Your defense is not SEC champ good. Your fan base isn’t that good overall. Your schedule was easy and overinflated self confidence. Vegas is against you. Your fan base is confused halfway cheering for Richt to be fired to believing he walked on water because a lousy Florida choked. You can’t win big games. You don’t have the talent. You don’t have the coaching. You don’t have anything, but yet you believe you’ll win. Why? Because you refuse to accept reality. Alabama can win BCS national championships, LSU can, Florida can, Auburn did… you can’t.
Tune in around 4pm on Saturday, wave to me I’ll be in Section 138 and we’ll watch Alabama steam roll Gawga.
ROLL TIDE.
CW
November 30th, 2012
6:34 am
If anyone needs proof positive that our government system of education (including UGA) has successfully dumbed down the average person, all he/she has to do is read most of the above comments. Sad.
Cal22
November 30th, 2012
6:37 am
Aaron Murray… the best fourth round pick in the nation!
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November 30th, 2012
7:16 am
[...] results. Big-game winners are usually those who make the fewest mistakes, a theory that puts the quarterbacks in the spotlight in Atlanta. … Share this:ShareEmailPrintFacebookTwitterPinterestDiggRedditPress [...]
NCMtnDawg
November 30th, 2012
7:16 am
If I were calling the plays, I’d run Murray the first two plays and let him get hit. He always seems to settle down after a few good licks.
SouthGADawg
November 30th, 2012
8:28 am
Maybe Ill come to section 138 and put my foot up your a-s.
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Bamagrad001
November 30th, 2012
4:04 pm
Game should be interesting and exciting. I think Bama and UGA match up well. In my opinion the key to UGA pulling the upset is getting off to a fast start. The teams that have beaten Bama tend to come out swinging like Texas A&M this year, S. Carolina in 2010, and Utah in 2008. If it’s a close game I think Bama’s depth and massive O-line will begin to dominate in the 4th quarter. I think more than Alabama, UGA needs to run the ball. If UGA cannot run the ball, their play action game will be limited and it could be a long night. My prediction is that the game will be tied at halftime 10-10 and Bama’s depth takes over in the second half….Tide Rolls to a 27-13 win and tries to win their 3rd title in 4 years and stake their claim as the dominate team of the era.
IHCMR
December 1st, 2012
10:23 am
UGA will choke….AGAIN!
HPDawg
December 1st, 2012
1:38 pm
IHCMR, the finest Christian in the blog!!! You are a phony punk. And btw, the Dawgs will roll. And you are a racist jerk. how ’bout them apples?
Shankit
December 1st, 2012
9:21 pm
4 point loss. Difference in game was the two point conversion. Dawgs could have kicked field goal at end to win.