Monday, November 8, 2010

DEEP SOUTH'S OLDEST RIVALRY HAS EPIC RAMIFICATIONS FOR BOTH PROGRAMS

As another installment of The Deep South's Old Rivalry approaches, one really has to wonder with everything at stake how this one is going to shake out. Auburn has National Title Aspirations and Georgia has been teetering on the Head Coach Hot Seat for some time now. Even though both programs are on different courses this year, the stakes appear to have never been higher.
 
Georgia has won four in a row in the series:
  • 2009: AU 24 at UGA 31
  • 2008: UGA 17 at AU 13
  • 2007: AU 20 at UGA 45
  • 2006: UGA 37 at AU 15

But this year's Auburn team has something the previous team's did not - an amazing talent at QB. So the history lesson is short lived and almost useless. Credit Gene Chizik for making an amazing turn around for an Auburn program that was 8-5 a year ago and 5-7 in 2008. Indeed, things have changed on The Plains.



With an excruciating (but close) loss to Florida this year, and a slew of other close but forgettable losses, The Georgia Bulldog fan base has to wonder: If Georgia can pull out a win against the #1 team in the country (which has eluded Mark Richt since he tenure in Athens), would the head coach be off the proverbial hot seat.

It is a very tough call.

This Georgia team has struggled mightily with an inspired concise offensive showing. They have moments, but they have not looked amazing and dominant in some time, especially in the big games where the lights shine the brightest. No offense to the amazing kicking game that Georgia has, but this teams settles for more field goals than anyone in the country.

Much of the criticism has fallen on Coach Mike Bobo, who has produced eerily similar game plans for the majority of his match ups. Under Coach Bobo's reign the offense has been lacking in inspirational play calls and imaginative offensive game plans. I can not recall the last fake punt or fake field goal I have seen from this unit. Dawg Nation has demanded more ingenuity that brings Georgia's bevvy of talented young men, especially the ones who look to turn pro this coming spring, to the forefront of every game.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not stating that Georgia should rely on fake punts to win every game, but Georgia's offense has been lacking a bit on what I call the "A" game. Clock management aside, LSU has the "it" factor when it comes down to calling amazing plays that win games. Coach Bobo does not.

One would almost think it as simple as throw it to AJ Green. Keep it simple, don't over think it, but AJ has been in my eyes SEVERELY under utilized this season.

Of course Cam Newton will be the focus for Todd Grantham this week, and Grantham's squad will have to do something they have not done. Not give up a single big play due to busted coverage. Georgia's Defense, which is notably better than last year, will have to keep Auburn in front of them all day. Things look promising as Alec Ogletree (Newnan, GA) looks to be getting the start at Safety. He's a stud with a nose for the game, and its a shame Georgia could not have figured this out sooner.

In addition, Todd Grantham has 2 weeks to prepare and throw in a couple new looks on defense. News from Athens indicates that Mark Richt is opting not to spy Cam Newton this weekend. So my money is that Georgia will have a spy or some type of spy in place to counteract Cam's ability to run free. The news came out very early in the week, and it would not make any sense for UGA to tip their hand so early--unless they are bluffing.

Justin Houston is one of the fastest game-speed Dawgs in the arsenal, and I expect the Dawgs to use him to the fullest extent this coming Saturday in a number of creative looks and blitz packages.

Granted Auburn is a smoking hot team this season, and all signs point to them being in the national championship game, but they still have two games to go. They host Georgia (3:30 CBS), have an off week, and then they head to Tuscaloosa for their annual Iron Bowl match up to close out the regular season. But to say that Auburn is not without a flaw or two would be remiss. While I've been a huge fan of Auburn's defense, especially the front seven led by #90 Nick Fairley, the pass defense has been a bit lacking.

Ryan Mallett exposed some of the chinks in the armor October 16th, but he could not finish the game (reference Auburn's front seven). Heck, the backup came in and did a fine job for Arkansas that day. My point is, Georgia has a shot with Aaron Murray's arm and AJ Green. The question is will Coach Bobo use these weapons to the fullest extent? Will he accentuate this team's strengths?

In a season that quickly started out with high aspirations for Georgia then quickly nose dived, The Bulldogs could really use a signature win.  In a season where so many close games, could have gone the other way, the Dawgs could use a Big Time "W" in resounding fashion.

If Georgia can have a couple things go right, like recovering a fumble or two (reference the Florida game where they missed 2 fumbles that could have really turned the tide of the game), then this could be an extremely interesting match up.

One other thing is for certain as well, Georgia will have to focus on fundamental gang tackling, like never before. Going in for the highlight tackle in this game will not work against The Tigers. Auburn is just too good this season for that sort of tom foolery. Gang tackles must be stressed and arm tackling must be eliminated.

It is obvious but it needs to stated, Mark Richt would do his stock on staying in Athens a ton of help this Saturday by throwing a wrench in Auburn's season. He has never beaten a #1, but he did come into the season 20-4 against BCS teams.

Keep in mind, this is Aaron Murray's first visit to The Plains, and one has to wonder if he can keep the jitters at bay. He looked rattled and never felt at ease in his first trip to Jacksonville. But if he can get off to a good start, and take the crowd out of it, there is a chance.

This one currently sits at 9 (opened at 8.5), and I think they are on target. Maybe this Georgia team gets blown out, maybe they keep it close and respectable, and maybe they find a way to play out-of-their-mind-fundamentally-sound-up-to-expectations and find a win on the road.

Either way it has all the makings for a classic!

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