I like my coffee like I like my state names; without 4 S’s in it.
This Saturday presents Georgia an opportunity to beat its second school from Mississippi this season and I for one could not be more excited.
The double P’s in the name is one thing. Even with advancements in ophthalmology and the general availability of contact lenses, the 4 I’s in the name is acceptable. But the 4 S’s is where I draw the line. That is an abomination.
There’s a teeny tiny touch of irony in knowing that the most illiterate state is also the toughest to spell.
On top of that, the cowbells that ring-a-ling-ling throughout the stadium in Starkville are the only things that can compete with the Vandy baseball whistler for the annual “Most Annoying Thing in the SEC” Award.
That diabolical combination brings about a textbook “trap game” for the cardiac kids who continue to chug along, picking up wins in the most stressful ways possible. Coming off a physical and close win against rivals Florida and with the primetime Texas game looming next week, this would be an easy opportunity for Georgia to come out sleepwalking for an early kick.
Personally, I see this less as a “trap game” and more as a “get-right” game. The lesser Bulldogs of Mississippi State have competed closely with both UTs (Tennessee and Texas), and have shown that they shouldn’t be taken lightly. Their close win last week against Arkansas finally gives the program some momentum, something that Coach Kirby Smart has certainly noted.
The fact that Georgia has borderline sleep walked through big games all season makes me believe this is the one where they finally come out on fire, becuase it’s when we least expect it. Nothing this team does from the 1st to the 3rd quarter make sense, so why not keep that going.
The Mississippi State defensive line has struggled at times this season, which should have Georgia OC Mike Bobo literally licking his figurative chops. If the Good Dawgs can establish the run game very early, it should open up the book a bit and let Bobo have some fun. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few trick plays in this one, just becuase we can.
The same can be said for the Mississippi State offensive line, who has not been able to keep QB Blake Shapen upright. The only game in which he was not sacked was the 63-0 win over Alcorn State where he had 14 pass attempts. He has been sacked at least thrice in FIVE different games, including a 6-sacker at home to Tennessee and an illustrious 7-sacker at home against Texas. All that goes to say that things could be Shapen up nicely for the Georgia defensive front to finally record some sacks.
It should only take a couple of efficient offensive drives and an early sack or two to take the 11:00 am local crowd out of it. Georgia hasn’t played a complete game yet, but the flashes are getting a little flashier. If this team is ever going to change gears, this weekend is a good time to start. If I were a betting man, I’d say that it finally happens.
They say it takes a big man to admit when he’s wrong, and I would gladly do so if that were to ever happen. But it hasn’t. And it won’t.
