Other than having to remember to make a reservation for a table, watching the Dawgs overseas wasn’t too difficult. And it was quite a relaxing experience, given how focused and aggressive both sides of the ball performed yesterday. Kirby and the staff were not going to allow a letdown to occur in Starkvegas, and although Mississippi State played sloppy and gifted Georgia with some timely and generous penalties, the team wasn’t given the game. They went in, took it, and sent a message to the cowbell waggers (and Horns) that this team has another gear they haven’t fully shown. On to the (abbreviated this week due to travel) bullets.
- I’m considering not starting my game watching until after the first series for Georgia’s opponents is over, since the defense doesn’t ever play well on that series.
- MSU is a fairly tough team to prepare for, but playing Tennessee earlier in the year must have helped. That said, the secondary was a mess for a few drives.
- It might require a second viewing but I thought Schumann brought more blitzes than in any other game this year. Most of the pressures seemed to work well getting Shapen and Taylor off their spots or running for dear life. Think the last 2 bullets are related.
- CJ Allen (as always) had some highlight reel hits, but he got run over by that freshman QB. That was a shocker.
- Other than some misses on the first drive, Gunner was terrific again. He’s starting to see more of the field before running, noting postgame he hit Delp as his third read at one point. This is the best news from the game.
- Stockton was 12/19 for 176 and 2 TDs in first half; he outgained MSU by himself.
- Speaking of Delp, that is a man possessed right now. He’s trucking safeties and taking on DEs. Perimeter blocking MVP now that Colbie is out.
- I counted 3-4 sacks, which was a revelation, but the refs stole a few by allowing 37 holding penalties to go uncalled. They didn’t care to call PI much either. I don’t blame them wanting to leave Starkville ASAP, but yeesh.
- Nate Frazier needs to watch the tape in this game on a loop. When he cuts once and goes, and there’s even decent blocking, he’s gone. The dancing reps aren’t doing anyone any good. So happy he’s turned a corner and got rewarded. That TD run was awesome.
- I know the size advantage was big with UGA’s OL vs State’s DL, but when Bobo realized after a couple of drives that simple man blocking would win the day, it was fun to watch those dudes go to work. And on the occasional zone plays, the big ugglies really seemed to have fun hitting those LBs and safeties at the second level. People were getting their asses MOVED. Freeling killed a guy on that Branch TD.
- How could Birmingham not see that Bell lost the ball after he was down? Feel like every game we ask for the SEC to do what the ACC is doing on replay.
- Speaking of Branch, that comeback route catch was sick. Don’t think he looked at the ball for even a half second. ESPN says he’s the 6th WR pick in the draft. There isn’t a better slot receiver in the country, Mickey.
- The DL definitely missed Jordan Hall. Ogboko struggles with down-to-down consistency and Miller can’t play all the time. Really need a late season charge from Griffin, but I worry he’ll have a freshman fade. Q had a great game when Shapen was in, just pinning his ears back without much worry about a scramble. The freshman sub changed the calculus on that a bit.
- Dominated the middle 8 (14-0, or 21-0 if you count the middle 9) with a stop on 4th and 5, a TD to end the half and 2 quick TDs in 3rd quarter. Sure looks nice when the guys execute.
So the big question remains whether the Dawgs are turning a corner or just played an average team. Texas fans are asking the same question. Handling their business is what this team had failed to do well this year, until yesterday. I have a feeling Georgia hasn’t showed all their cards and has something in store for Texas next week. I’ll be taking notes from the 10 yard line and can’t wait for my first game in person this year. Go Dawgs!
For this team blitzing works…more often than not. I think Schumann/Kirby don’t like it for fear of plays. Prefer to keep everything in front of them and want the front 4 to pressure. But that’s just not been happening and it takes more talent at QB than we typically face to read and beat our blitzes. Even the hurried passes are only 5 yards downfield so we usually get a better result from pressure than getting burned. I think we’ll see some pressure on Manning but doubt we’ll gamble with more blitzes for fear of giving up explosive plays. Hope I’m wrong about that as we’ve seen Arch get rattled under pressure.
In the too cute department Kirby’s follies at the end of the half was a brilliant idea to cause the other team to burn a TO (which Kirby does like to do) and get a cheap penalty for a free first down or a real waste of time and potential momentum by not just lining up and bulldozing for the first down as he likes to do as well. Love to hear coach explain the planning on that one because it didn’t look spontaneous.
The UT OL is gettable, so I actually expect more blitzes. Forgot about the end of half trickery, thanks for that one!
The OL is the strength of this team and is getting better every week. The skill positions can thrive with the OL blocking so well. The backup WRs need to improve. I think (maybe hope) the DL is beginning to improve. The DEs seem to be more involved and getting some pressure on the QB. The safety situation is not good. 20 is lost, 4 is the same as he was at Buford. Need Demello back asap. I noticed Cole and Williams playing more, I almost think Cole at the “star” and 8 at FS might be a better grouping.
I could have sworn I saw Demello in at one point. Did I mistake him for someone else?
I can’t handle watching Aguero play. The kid gets so lost.
Were you at the London Dawgs watch party?
I tried, but were no tables left to reserve at Waterloo. Went to a pub in the same family of restaurants in Chelsea nearby instead.
We just showed up at Passyunk Avenue and found a couple of seats. I guess we were lucky.
Were you there yesterday or another week?
We were there for the Tennessee game.
That middle 8 or 9 was pretty much perfect. Exactly why you elect to defer when you have a chance.
I believe MS won the toss but elected to take the ball first…not that you didn’t already know that.
I wasn’t in front of the TV right at the beginning. Thanks for the clarification.
What happened in the middle 8 is exactly what you have in mind when deferring the choice.
Loved the aggression on defense. We need to continue with Texas because Arch rattles easily. Even if you don’t get home, the blitzes speed up the QB clock and can force errant throws.
Having a pint or two and a snack at a pub in London is a bucket list item I’d like to do again. Watching the Dawg’s play while you’re at it is a Boss move. Safe travels ee.
That was me yesterday, Dawg in Austin. Sitting in ATL now waiting to get home.
Obviously fine print ain’t my bag.
Still a Boss move.
Safe travels, DiA!
I thought the Bell was losing control just before his leg hit the ground. Very close though and one of those calls where whatever was called on the field was going to stand in my opinion.
This Sanford222view. Seems I have been logged out for some reason and it tells me I have to reset my pswd for security reasons.
I’m guessing you have a security setup on your device that requires logins each time.