Welcome to Tuesday, Bulldog fans! Another SEC road game is in the books and under the “W” column. The ‘Dawgs handled the Dogs in a way that makes every Georgia fan’s heart aflutter. A defense that set their alarm a little earlier, created turnovers, got pressure in the backfield, and got ball carriers on the ground. An offense that relied on the run, runners patient enough to let their holes open up and busting to the 2nd level, play action passing set up by that running game that ate up big chunks,
and playmakers making plays in space. That’s what we thought we could have, and it showed up in Starkville. Just in time for one of the biggest games of the year and a team rounding into form just at the right time. These Bulldogs are knocking on the door, and I can hear them. Ladies & Gentlemen… The Rolling Stones!
Just like Saturday’s game was vintage Bulldogs, this is vintage Stones. Raw, gritty, lyrics more than likely about drugs, Keith and Ronnie doing their stutters and chops and complementing each other, Bobby Keys giving the bluesy sax, and Charlie doing the jazzy drums.
Now onto news and notes of the Georgia Bulldog variety:
The balanced performance from UGA Saturday morning/afternoon is worth one more look. We turn to the intrepid folks at the Red & Black for a position group grading. You were bound to get some good marks for the middle 50 minutes, but I think I’ll push back on the D line score. They may not have had the gaudy stats, but from my point of view they did a good job of containing, got off enough blocks to disrupt, and allowed gaps for Allen, Wilson, and Cole to finish the job.
Those outside of the UGA sphere also thought highly of a position group. For Peyton Woodring has been recognized as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. His 7 kicks between the uprights apparently was the best in the conference. I thought it might have come from a punter out of Lexington Saturday night, but Florida couldn’t stop Kentucky’s offense and Florida threw interceptions before they could get a chance to punt.
Presumably by now we’ve all disregarded the weekly AP poll results, and I don’t think anyone ever took the ESPN Power Rankings seriously (possibly excepting if you needed light reading while in the bog). So tonight we turn our attention to week 2 of the College Football Playoff rankings. Are we at the point of the season where basketball games running long will delay the broadcast? That is the big suspense. For with no real upsets in the top 12 last week, there likely isn’t to be a surprise in rankings. Maybe how far BYU falls, how much the committee loves Texas and Notre Dame, and which G5 team (G6? 7?) betters its chances.
As we look ahead to the big showdown in Sanford Saturday night, Head Bulldog Kirby Smart held his weekly press conference at Butts-Mehre. There were no big revelations and as usual he praised the upcoming opponent and specifically Arch Manning (and he shaded the media per usual). The injury report seems pretty promising, as Drew Bobo had a minor finger laceration and is expected to practice, and signs are positive that Lawson Luckie will be back this week as well.
You remember how Nick Saban was always picking up retread coaches, putting them through the Alabama Rehab Process, then promoting them? You remember how Will Muschamp and Mike Bobo suddenly appeared back in Athens and were ready to jump in at a moment’s notice when other coaches moved on? You also remember that Valdosta State coaching staff that included Mike Leach, Hal Mumme, Will Muschamp, and Kirby Smart? Good. Then I’ll just leave this here.
We fans can hear the Bulldogs knocking. And a win Saturday night will pretty much blow the door open and announce Georgia might be the team to beat in the post season. But for now, just Beat Texas. As always…
GO ‘DAWGS!!!
