UGA SPORTS BLOG: Georgia vs. LSU

It was the performance Bulldog nation has been waiting for all season. Matthew Stafford was flawless in his 249 yard, two touchdown (one rushing) game while Knowshon Moreno scampered for 163 yards and a score. Offensively, it is tough to ask for much more, especially considering they were even able to tack on one more point on LSU than the mighty Gators, who scored 51 on LSU a few weeks ago.

The game was full of big plays for the Dawgs. Moreno was able to pull off a 47 yard run that set up a touchdown and also a 68 yard touchdown run. Stafford hooked up with A.J. Green for a 49 yard touchdown pass. Daryll Gamble was able to return two interceptions for touchdowns, one coming off the very first play from scrimmage.

The defense, however, left a bit to be desired. While Georgia was able to record two sacks and three interceptions, Georgia allowed 188 yards rushing and 309 through the air. Had it not been for the mistakes of the inexperienced Jarrett Lee, the score would have been much different. More importantly these mistakes will not be made by Heisman trophy winner, Tim Tebow.

That last sentence really encompasses Georgia's 52-38 victory: it won't matter if we don't beat Florida next week. Stafford acknowledged this when asked what this victory meant for the team. He replied, "I'll let you know next week."

There's a lot to be taken from this win. Georgia has hopefully found more confidence in their ability to move the ball and make plays on defense. Stafford has shown that a hostile environment has little to no effect on his game. Moreno showed, once again, why he may be the best running back in the country. And while the defense may not be the consistent rock typical of the SEC and Mark Richt, they have the ability to create turnovers and pressure the quarterback in key situations. These are attributes that will be vital for a win in Jacksonville. More on that later in the week.
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UGA SPORTS BLOG: Georgia vs. Vanderbilt

I was satisfied yet disappointed with the Dawgs 24-14 win over Vanderbilt this week. We'll start with the positives.

First, the run game was great. I was pleased with Moreno's 172 yards and the commitment to the run throughout the game. There were very few plays where I was left scratching my head afterwards which is the first time I can say that this season. In terms of play calling, I was pleased with the first quarter. Georgia came out and ran the ball 5 out of 8 plays which was capped off by a missed field goal. The second drive began with another run play to Moreno. After 6 out of 8 plays were runs, Georgia went deep to A.J. Green for a 50 yard gain. That drive was finished with a touchdown. This type of play call is what I've been screaming about all season. When Georgia establishes the run, their wideouts have little difficulty getting open.

I was also pleased with the ability of Georgia to run the ball in the 4th quarter. With about 8:30 left in the game, Georgia ran the ball downfield with ease, 8 of 9 plays were runs and the lone pass being a screen to Shaun Chapas. This drive resulted in another missed field goal but I was still impressed by Georgia's march down the field late in the game.

Now to the negatives.

This new habit of throwing the ball away in the red zone is worrying. I hate having to settle for field goals down there but Stafford throwing interceptions really shoots us the foot. Through the first six games, red zone offense was our specialty and Georgia will need to find that form again in the upcoming weeks. The second was Blair Walsh's missed chip shots this week. What was that about? Third, getting pressure on the quarterback is the last remaining issue that has not been addressed this season. The Dawgs desperately need to find a way to get to opposing quarterbacks particularly when they play the Gators in a couple of weeks. If Tebow has time in the pocket, he will eat us alive. Finally, Georgia needs to put its opponents away. I'm tired of doing just enough to win. This is true for the victories against South Carolina, Tennessee and now Vanderbilt. I thought and hoped this would happen against Vanderbilt but Georgia blew two separate 14-point leads. LSU is the kind of team that if Georgia lets hang around, they will find a way to punish us. More on that game as the week goes on.
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Georgia Football Overview

The Dawg Blog is coming back with a vengeance. I apologize for my long absence but during my long abyss I've had plenty of time to gather many thoughts about the current football season while my eager anticipation for the upcoming basketball season slowly builds.

I'll begin with the football season. Georgia's current rank of 10 is about fair, although I think they are the seventh best team in the country. I don't think Texas Tech is any good and BYU is, well, BYU but they're undefeated and I can't dispute their ranks. People have jumped on Oklahoma State's bandwagon recently which I think is ok, but keep in mind, this is the same OK State team that was dismantled by the Dawgs last season, 31-10, and that was well before the Dawgs hit their stride. This leaves us behind Florida, USC, Oklahoma, Penn State, 'Bama and Texas. I'd put Florida ahead of USC and OU because Florida has a signature win (LSU), while UGA, USC and OU have beat the teams they were supposed to beat but don't have a big win. And don't tell me Ohio State was a big win. Just spare me.

There's little point in discussing the season for the Dawgs thus far: we've all seen the games. But I'll tell you this: Georgia is about to hit their stride. Nothing proves this more than their fourth quarter last week against Tennessee. Georgia, with an injured offensive line, took 11 minutes off the clock with a heavy dose of Knowshon Moreno and Caleb King. FINALLY!!! This is what I've been waiting for all season. It seems as though the loss to Alabama shook something loose in the coaches' heads. I mean, last season the gameplan was a heavy dose of Thomas Brown and Moreno then Stafford would pick defenses apart. This year, it seems the philosophy has shifted to get the ball to A.J. Green. While I love Green, Moreno is the foundation of our offense. In that drive against Tennessee, Georgia rediscovered the running game. Clint Boling shifted over to left tackle to replace Vince Vance, who tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season, and Georgia ran right behind him with several toss plays to the left. If Boling, the SEC Offensive Lineman of the week, is able to move defensive lines like he did in that drive, Georgia will be able to consistently count on the run game again.

The development of the run game will become increasingly important as we count the days until Jacksonville. Against a Florida team that completely dismantled LSU 51-14, Georgia will have to control the clock and keep the speed of Percy Harvin and Jeffery Demps on the sideline. I see this happening in the next couple of weeks.

Now, to the most immediate concern: Vanderbilt. Vandy has not faced an offense like Georgia's this season and just came crashing down to earth in their last game, a loss to Mississippi State. I see Georgia running wild against the Vandy in preparation for the test in Baton Rouge. The main thing I would like to see improved in this game is the pass rush. Georgia must get pressure on Vandy's quarterback, who hasn't officially been announced yet but both can make things happen with their quick feet. This has been the overwhelming weakness for Georgia and will have to be improved before major SEC clashes in the upcoming weeks. I think the running game has been solved and this is the last real chance for Georgia to try out some new ways to get sacks.

I host a sports radio show for WUOG in Athens (90.5), so I'll have to hold off on any predictions but I'll be back with some more thoughts on the game next week, if not sooner.
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