What to Look For: Kentucky Edition.
The Dawgs are headed into the pivotal home stretch that will either make or break this season. At 6-3, they could either finish 9-3, with a chance to head to a mid-tier bowl game and extend the streak of 10 win seasons, or finish 6-6, the worst record since 1996.
This is the stretch that will show us what kind of team we are, not only now, but in the future. Nine games into the season, there's no such thing as inexperience. Today is the first game of the rest of our season, and the rest of Mark Richt's tenure, which Kyle King believes (not without justification, by the way) will eventually be the most successful by any Bulldog coach. Here's what to look for:
Defensive momentum: The defense played without a doubt its most complete game of the year against Florida. Just as important, the defense played with a sense of urgency and some enthusiasm. Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson is averaging right at 240 yards passing per game. That worries me a little given that our secondary has made a couple of so-so quarterbacks look great this year. But that was then and this is now. My hope is that the Florida game was a turning point for this defense, which will continue to improve and gain confidence.
Andre Woodson: Woodson is not terribly elusive, but he is big (6'5, 230) and doesn't go down easy. He also throws a really good ball when he has time. If Woodson is on, this game worries me. When he's looked good, he's a lot scarier than Michael Henig or Chris Nickson. I predict a lot of Georgia fans will be surprised at some of the plays this guy makes.
Matt Stafford-dialed in or phoning for help?: As good as Kentucky's offense is, their defense is worse. The Wildcats are dead last in the SEC in virtually every significant defensive category. The $64,000 question is whether the Dawgs' offense can take advantage of that. The offense has not produced great numbers, but it's clear to most observers that it is just missing by a tick. All year we've been 2 turnovers and 2 dropped passes a game away from exploding. Rich Brooks will throw everything but the kitchen sink at our young quarterback. A lot will depend on how he responds and whether he gets some help from his receivers. My amateur forecast: 18 of 30 passing for 237 yards, and the first start in which Stafford throws more TD's than picks.
Tripp Chandler: Word on the street is that Stafford and Chandler have developed a good relationship. It will be interesting to see if Rich Brooks got the memo. Kentucky plays some undersized but quick linebackers, who may have some trouble in the redzone with the 6'6 sophomore.
Tone of the game: Kentucky is playing for a bowl game, and that doesn't happen often. Wildcat
fans are up for this one, and are looking to knock off the Dawgs in a statement game. In a way this is to our benefit. Why? Because if there's not a raucous crowd and a jacked up team in blue and white, I think we sleepwalk through this one. I'm hoping that's not the case, and I don't think it will be. All week the coaches have been talking about playing for pride. I'm liking our chances if we circle the wagons and play with a chip on our shoulders.
Amateur Guestimation: UGA 34, UK 17
Until later: GO DAWGS!
This is the stretch that will show us what kind of team we are, not only now, but in the future. Nine games into the season, there's no such thing as inexperience. Today is the first game of the rest of our season, and the rest of Mark Richt's tenure, which Kyle King believes (not without justification, by the way) will eventually be the most successful by any Bulldog coach. Here's what to look for:
Defensive momentum: The defense played without a doubt its most complete game of the year against Florida. Just as important, the defense played with a sense of urgency and some enthusiasm. Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson is averaging right at 240 yards passing per game. That worries me a little given that our secondary has made a couple of so-so quarterbacks look great this year. But that was then and this is now. My hope is that the Florida game was a turning point for this defense, which will continue to improve and gain confidence.
Andre Woodson: Woodson is not terribly elusive, but he is big (6'5, 230) and doesn't go down easy. He also throws a really good ball when he has time. If Woodson is on, this game worries me. When he's looked good, he's a lot scarier than Michael Henig or Chris Nickson. I predict a lot of Georgia fans will be surprised at some of the plays this guy makes.
Matt Stafford-dialed in or phoning for help?: As good as Kentucky's offense is, their defense is worse. The Wildcats are dead last in the SEC in virtually every significant defensive category. The $64,000 question is whether the Dawgs' offense can take advantage of that. The offense has not produced great numbers, but it's clear to most observers that it is just missing by a tick. All year we've been 2 turnovers and 2 dropped passes a game away from exploding. Rich Brooks will throw everything but the kitchen sink at our young quarterback. A lot will depend on how he responds and whether he gets some help from his receivers. My amateur forecast: 18 of 30 passing for 237 yards, and the first start in which Stafford throws more TD's than picks.
Tripp Chandler: Word on the street is that Stafford and Chandler have developed a good relationship. It will be interesting to see if Rich Brooks got the memo. Kentucky plays some undersized but quick linebackers, who may have some trouble in the redzone with the 6'6 sophomore.
Tone of the game: Kentucky is playing for a bowl game, and that doesn't happen often. Wildcat
fans are up for this one, and are looking to knock off the Dawgs in a statement game. In a way this is to our benefit. Why? Because if there's not a raucous crowd and a jacked up team in blue and white, I think we sleepwalk through this one. I'm hoping that's not the case, and I don't think it will be. All week the coaches have been talking about playing for pride. I'm liking our chances if we circle the wagons and play with a chip on our shoulders.
Amateur Guestimation: UGA 34, UK 17
Until later: GO DAWGS!
posted by MaconDawg at 8:10 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home