With the season just weeks away, it is time to preview the upcoming great games of the season, and we will showcase those in the Can't Miss Games of 2011 series. We'll start, of course, in the SEC. The conference is at an all time high right now, and they have won an astounding 5 National Championships in a row.
Two games set if off right out of the gate this year. The Boise State/Georgia game and the Oregon/LSU game. Technically, both games are at neutral sites, but both are regionally close strong SEC fan bases. Coverage of the Atlanta game is below, and we'll showcase the Arlington game later this week. We will continue to showcase the best games of the year in our CAN'T MISS IT 2011 series.
Boise State vs Georgia
8:00 PM - September 3rd
ESPN/ESPN3.com
Boise State travels back to the state of Georgia to square off in The Dome against Georgia. Boise returns 7 starters on Offense and 7 starters on Defense. The last time they met Jared Zabransky threw 4 picks, and Georgia, led by DJ Shockley, had their way with an outmatched Boise State team. The Boise State team of 2011 is very different from the 2005 squad. This team is led by All-American Kellen Moore (QB) and is chock full of seniors and talented players. Moore is acclimated to big stage games and he's super-efficient. He is set this year to pass Colt McCoy as the All-Time winningest QB in NCAA history. Don't look for a 4 pick interception night from him. Doug Martin (RB), Tyler Shoemaker (WR), and Kyle Efaw (TE) will be the primary threats for Moore, and they should get the ball early with solid protection from a veteran Offensive Line led by Thomas Byrd, 1st Team WAC Center, and Nate Potter, left tackle.
The Bronco defense is stout. They showcase 9 seniors, and it is important to note that Boise State's 2010 squad was #2 in the country in total D. Some names remain familiar with Billy Winn (1st Team WAC, DT), J.C. Percy (team leading tackler, LB), George Iloka (1st Team WAC, FS), and Shea McClellin (1st Team WAC, DE). The weak point looks to be portions of the secondary.
Head Coach, Chris Peterson, is in his 6th year at Boise State, and he knows the drill. His leadership and motivational skills are right up there with the best of the business as his tightly focused unit has the win/loss record to back it up. Boise State has put up a combined 61 wins over the last 5 years. Key losses for Boise State include: Titus Young, Boise's All-Time leader in receiving yards and Austin Pettis, Boise's All-Time leader in receptions.
Atlanta is considered the crossroad of The South, and this year is no different as Mark Richt, who has been under some fire, brings in a struggling but re-energized UGA program coming off a losing season last year (6-7). Not known for his especially fiery disposition or ultra-intensity, Mark Richt has quietly guided a UGA program, without any major NCAA violations or sanctions in a time when it seems like football programs are being picked off like target practice. Just ask (Southern Cal, Ohio State, and North Carolina). All eyes will be on him though regardless of the young men’s lives he has helped positively shape over the past 11 years in Athens.
Fact of the matter is, when Dawg fans want a return to the earlier days in Mark Richt's career in Athens and the defensive power houses that Brian Van Gorder pumped out, they need to take a closer look at the point of attack, the defensive line. Georgia lost its way post Van Gorder at locking in the best and brightest in the Defensive Tackle and Defensive Lineman spots. They lost their way in cultivating talent and ensuring they were prepared from a weight room perspective. There is a lot of the positive energy radiating out of Athens these days at the noticeable refocusing of attention on these key spots. With Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham at the helm of the 3-4, a desire to land some beef up front has returned to the front burner. Jonathan Jenkins, one of the top nose tackles in the country in the JUCO ranks was signed this year, and he looks to back up a surging Kwame Geathers and vie for a starting role. Flanking at the DLine positions will be DeAngelo Tyso and Abry Jones. If Georgia fans want to know where the beef is, then start here. It is back. The average weight off the aforementioned: 328 lbs. Georgia's defense made great strides last year righting the ship from Willie Martinez, but Coach Grantham knows they have to get even stingier, especially better on 3rd down. Look for Georgia’s Defense to continue to improve in every category as players shuffle around: Hard hitting Alec Ogletree is up from Safety and now at Line Backer, and Jarvis Jones looks to start after transferring from Southern Cal. Georgia's secondary Led by Brandon Boykin (CB), Bacarri Rambo (SS), Branden Smith (CB) and Sanders Commings (FS), the secondary hopes to be the strong suit that is shooting to move from middle of the SEC pack.
Aaron Murray brings a cool confidence back at the QB position, and an amazing arm. However, many are curious who he will be throwing it to on 3rd downs this year, as AJ Green is now a Cincinnati Bengal. Look for WR by committee this year, until a true WR steps up. Orson Charles (TE) has been outstanding while at UGA, and many are looking to Tavarres King to emerge as the go to wide out. Tailback is a bit of question mark, as Georgia more or less cleaned house with Caleb King and Washaun Ealey out of the picture. Georgia fans are a bit relieved and anxious on the matter. Just pull up their total yards and fumbles inside the red zone and move on. They were not an outstanding unit. We'll just have to wait and see on the running back situation moving forward. Richard Samuel is back at RB after a flirting with Line Backer last year. Isaiah Crowell is a highly touted freshman that many are resting their hopes. This could be the year Georgia fans see a return to a tougher hard nosed era, as strength and conditioning has received a much needed boost and a couple players look to contribute on both sides of the ball this year.
Bottom Line:
Mark Richt finds himself at the proverbial cross roads of his career. He is on shaky ground. Chris Peterson is shooting up the win column like like a rocket. Georgia has an extremely tough match up against Boise State. Boise will come in ranked in the Top 10, and they will be ready. The Dawgs will have to show up with a running game that is currently in question, and a passing attack, excluding Aaron Murray and Orson Charles, that is looking to create some household names. Georgia will have to focus with a strong point of attack with the hope of disrupting Kellen Moore, something which does not happen very often to him. Moreover, Georgia will have to play loose and fast and most importantly avoid the penalty to bug which has plagued their often sloppy play. Boise State is one of the most disciplined teams in the country, and it shows as they tend to win the close ones. This looks to be a barn burner, and a great way to start the season off.
Update (August 10th):
Word was released yesterday that Linebacker Jarvis Jones has been cleared to play, and this is big time news for the UGA defense. He was under review and investigation for possible improper benefits. He will not miss a game this year as a result. I want to underscore this, as it is apparent to me that UGA's Football Operations are running a much tighter ship than the previous Damon Evans administration. Greg McGarity and company are dailed in, and the program seems to be breathing fresh air. Jarvis Jones will be a starting spot from the opening kick and looks to have an immediate positive impace in Georgia's 3-4 defense.
Update (August 11th):
Boise State's Athletic Director, Gene Bleymaier, was fired by University President Bob Kustra yesterday. The University is facing numerous secondary violations which occurred during Bleymaier's watch. The secondary violations span Football, Track and Field, and Tennis. Boise has already begun its search for a new AD.
Update (August 18th):
Jakar Hamilton, Safety for UGA, will miss the Boise State game or more than likely the entire 2011 season. The stress fracture is near his ankle. He played in all 13 games last year, and he started in 5. He does have the potential redshirt, which looks to be The Dawgs best option.
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