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| Photo Credit: AJC/Brant Sanderlin |
Here are some quick observations on the game:
- Sony Michel sure did have a nice afternoon with 10 carries, 155 yards, and 3 rushing TDs. Michel and Chubb are going to be fun to watch the next 3 years.
- Isaiah McKenzie had his first collegiate punt return for a TD. I have a feeling this may the first of many punt return TDs he will have in Athens.
- Another game with no turnovers. Georgia is at +4 Turnover Margin on the season through 3 games. That was a nice interception from Tramel Terry in the end zone. Hopefully he can make some strides in becoming a contributor to this defense.
- I'm curious to see if the Dawgs will try to utilize Sony Michel in the wildcat formation, or Faton Bauta under center, when they're in the red zone down the road.
- Coach Richt indicated that Keith Marshall's injury doesn't appear to be serious. I hated seeing him on crutches after the game.
Looking ahead for the Dawgs
Tennessee travels to Athens on Saturday, after enjoying a bye week. Unfortunately, it was picked up by CBS for a Noon start. I would much prefer a 3:30 or later start, where the home field becomes a much bigger advantage. Georgia has won 4 straight versus Tennessee, and the Vols are still looking for their signature road victory in the Butch Jones era. Hopefully, the Dawgs are focused and ready to take on the Vols.
Through three games, Georgia's offense is averaging 7.7 yards per carry and 304 yards per game. As a matter of fact, Todd Gurley is leading the nation with 9.8 yards per carry. However, it is critical that Georgia become more consistent in their passing game. It would be nice if Scott-Wesley or Mitchell would return to action this week, but I'm not very hopeful based on what the coaches have shared. Justin Worley has played fairly well, thus far, and Jalen Hurd is likely a future All-SEC type player, but the Vols are average along their offensive line. In order for Georgia to win this game, their front seven needs to win the line of scrimmage. It will be the first time Willie Martinez and John Jancek have returned to Athens since Coach Richt fired them in December 2009.
Around the SEC
Auburn at Kansas State
Auburn survived versus Kansas State on Thursday night. The Wildcats did a marvelous job of shutting down the Auburn rushing attack, but couldn't overcome so many critical mistakes. They missed 3 field goals, had a turnover deep in their own territory, which led to an early Auburn field goal and then there was this:
It was the first non-conference win on an opponent's home field since the Tigers beat Virginia in Charlottesville in 1997.
Florida at Alabama
Blake Sims threw for 445 yards, Derrick Henry rushed for 111 yards, and Alabama overcame 4 turnovers in the first 32 minutes of the ballgame to cruise to 42-21 victory. Alabama's 645 yards of total offense are the most they have allowed in school history. Muschamp and his quarterback, Jeff Driskel, are both in their 4th years at Florida and it seems that the Gator fans are losing faith quickly in their ability to turn around the program.
Put Jeff Driskel on the bench please, I have seen enough.
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) September 20, 2014
Mississippi State at LSU
The Maroon Bulldogs went into Death Valley and took it to LSU. They lead from beginning to end, but after leading 34-10 early in the 4th quarter, they had to hold off a furious rally from LSU and escaped Baton Rouge with 34-29 victory. This was a statement game for Dan Mullen. It was their first victory against LSU since 1999 and the last time they won in Baton Rouge prior to this week was 1991.
Other SEC Action
- Vanderbilt played their best game of the season and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns but the Gamecocks held off the Commodores for a 48-34 win.
- Missouri embarrassed the SEC by losing at home to a bad Indiana team 31-27.
- Arkansas and Texas A&M cruised to easy non-conference victories.
Around the Nation
Clemson at Florida State
The game I anticipated watching the most this week did not disappoint as Florida State escaped with a 23-17 overtime victory. Clemson went into Tallahassee and outplayed the Seminoles for the vast majority of the game. Clemson's defense, in particular, played lights out and dominated the line of scrimmage during regulation. Critical mistakes made by Clemson's offense were the difference in the game.
Clemson reached the red zone 7 times vs Florida State and scored on just 3 of those drives. #CLEMvsFSU
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 21, 2014
In summary, Cole Stoudt underthrew a wide open TE in the first quarter, which would have been a touchdown, the kicker missed 2 field goals, a high snap cost them another opportunity to score a touchdown, and then a late fumble deep in FSU's territory cost them a chance to put the game away. You cannot fault Dabo Swinney for going for it on 4th down in overtime. His kicker badly missed those two field goals. Furthermore, you're a heavy underdog on the road and the home team has just seized the momentum. What I don't understand is why Chad Morris decided not to put Watson under center on that 4th and 2 play.
Get. Under. Center.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) September 21, 2014
Apparently, that sentiment was widely shared. If you're a Clemson fan, you have to put this loss behind you. Sure, it's easy to get down after starting the season 1-2 with losses to Georgia and Florida State, but they have found a future star at quarterback and you can still have a decent season. They will likely win the next 8 games and be 9-2 when South Carolina comes to town on November 29th.Other Action
- Forget what I wrote about Virginia Tech after their upset of Ohio State. They have now lost two straight home games and fall to 0-1 in ACC play, after the loss to Georgia Tech. Virginia Tech's QB, Michael Brewer, who played with such confidence against Ohio State, threw 3 interceptions versus the Jackets and now has 8 on the season.
- Oklahoma survived a tough road game versus West Virginia with a 45-33 victory. It looks like the toughest games that lie ahead for the Sooners will all be played in Norman (Kansas State, Baylor, and Oklahoma State).
- South Carolina's week 2 victory versus East Carolina is looking stronger each week. A week after defeating the Hokies, the Pirates took UNC to the woodshed by outscoring them 70-41. They are now in this week's AP Top 25 Poll.
Odds & Ends
- While I really enjoyed watching the Clemson/FSU game I was disgusted by the number of times the ESPN crew showed Jameis Winston on the ABC broadcast. One source counted 48 times that Winston was shown on the broadcast, while another indicated it was 54 times. As described by Deadspin, that is one of every 20 seconds of game broadcast that was dedicated to showing Winston. Dear ESPN: You are part of the problem.
- It's still early in the season, but Michigan's Brady Hoke and Florida's Will Muschamp appear to be squarely on the hot seat. Michigan lost to Utah at home on Saturday and the Wolverines are 9-10 in their last 19 games. Meanwhile, Florida gets a bye week before traveling to Knoxville to take on the Vols.
- The SEC Western division is clearly better than the SEC Eastern division again this season. I thought before the season that Mississippi State and Ole Miss wouldn't win the division, but they would pull an upset or two and play a part in how the division champion is crowned. I still don't believe either team can navigate that slate of games and come out on top, but Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0) has a bye week before hosting Texas A&M and Auburn on back-to-back weekends in Starkville.
- In off the field news, Georgia is planning to raise ticket prices in 2015 and again in 2017. It also appears that an indoor practice facility is finally coming to fruition for the Dawgs as the UGA Athletic Board approved a $400,000 design study.
Until next time...Go Dawgs!
I thought the exact same thing when seeing the constant camera focus on Winston. Ugh. Really?
ReplyDeleteOne more mistake and he'll transfer to Auburn.
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