College Football Wrap-Up: Week 8

Photo Credit: Nelson Chenault/USA TODAY Sports

The Dawgs won for the 2nd consecutive week on the road without their star running back, Todd Gurley. The first half (minus the very 1st drive) was a dominating performance which allowed the Dawgs to take control and finish off the Razorbacks in Little Rock. Here were my takeaways:

• Is our defense improving or what? I felt like we would see improvement as the year progressed, but the Dawgs have exceeded my expectations on that side of the ball.
• We didn't quite execute that onside kick, but I really liked the call.  Between the long completion to Chris Conley, on the first drive, and that onside kick, you could really sense that Richt wanted to be aggressive and take control of the game.
• Speaking of Conley, he easily had his best performance of the game - 5 receptions, 128 yards, and 1 TD.
• Nick Chubb is a stud! He had a great game with 202 yards on 30 carries with 2 TDs. T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry combined to rush for only 70 yards last week versus Arkansas. 
• Chubb joined Herschel Walker and Rodney Hampton as the only freshman to rush for 200 or more yards in a game.  Oh, and by the way, Chubb is now the 8th leading rusher in the SEC, with 569 yards, and he only has 2 starts.
• Without a doubt, Gurley and Chubb are special backs, but you have to give kudos to the offensive line. Coach Friend and center David Andrews do not receive enough credit for the jobs they do.
• This is the biggest reason Georgia sits at 6-1. The Dawgs defense has forced turnovers in bundles and the offense has done an outstanding job of protecting the ball. This year we lead the nation in TO margin (+13) while we finished 102nd last season (-7).
• Saturday was the third game out of the last 4 that the defense has scored a touchdown. Last year we could hardly create a turnover, much less turn one instantly into points.
• Pruitt is coaching up the secondary and you can see vasty improved safety play the last few games. Quincy Mauger and Dominick Sanders are really coming along and playing very well.
• Georgia's 38 point outburst in the first half was the most the Dawgs have scored in the first half of an SEC game since 1984, when they put up 42 points versus Vanderbilt.
• While everyone talks about the struggles the SEC East has versus the SEC West, Coach Richt improved to 28-10 versus SEC West teams in the regular season.

This was fun to watch...

but I enjoyed this even more...





Here's a few other takes on action around the country:

This might be the most unbelievable stat of the season.

Missouri leads Florida 42-0. Missouri has done this with only 97 yards on offense
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 19, 2014

The only question now is who replaces Muschamp at Florida after the season?

Georgia Tech lost for the 2nd consecutive week and this best describes the ACC Coastal division right now.

We did it, guys! And it's not even halfway through league play! #goacc pic.twitter.com/97nmfd1eNQ
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) October 19, 2014

• I watched the Oklahoma/Kansas State game and the Sooners just blew it.  Blocked PAT, missed chip shot FG, pick 6...mistake after mistake killed Oklahoma and, because of it, they suffered their second loss on the season.

• TCU bounced back nicely from their only loss on the season didn't they? Meanwhile Baylor took one on the chin in Morgantown.

• The Florida State/Notre Dame game was actually a very entertaining contest. The Seminoles captured an impressive victory. Unfortunately, Jimbo Fisher's interview with Tom Rinaldi afterwards was disgusting. Fisher went out of his way to describe FSU as having a "high character program" both "on and off the field". Forgive me Jimbo, but I don't believe I would describe your quarterback with words like "class" and "dignity". FSU's handling of Jameis Winston and his numerous criminal activities is sad and a disgrace to their fans and alumni.