"The Worlds Largest Outdoor Social Gathering" -- Michael Adams

So it's that time. Everyone knows pretty much all there is to know, and unfortunately there really isn't that much news to tell. This has been the most unimaginative pre-game week before the showdown in recent memory. No "inspirational speeches" by the Christ Child, no "we'll get 'em for the endzone dance" talk, and no "we're going to beat the hell out of them" talk from either side. No, in fact, this has been the kind of week that leads one to think that both sides are honestly concerned.

The Gaytors have had a few sub-par weeks leading up to the least most anticipated Party in years, and our fella's have had a week to soak in all the "upset" talk they can. I'm not going to bore anyone with match-ups and what we need to do and what they need to do moreso than I already have, so I'll just get to the point.

We seemingly do one thing well, and that is stop the run. Florida can't run the ball. We seemingly get beat by one thing more than anything else, and that is the deep ball. Florida can't throw the deep ball. We can't score many points, and at this point, it seems the Second Coming can't either, unless it's for the opposing team.

The Gaytors have a good defense, we have an inconsistent offense. We have a bad defense, the Gaytors have in inconsistent offense. So where does that leave us? I'm almost scared to admit it, but, I think at this point (especially with the off week), I really think we have a chance to win this ball game. I told my brother a few weeks ago that I was going to pick Heblow in a blowout. I'm not convinced I shouldn't, but then again, I'm a blind UGA homer. So here it is, and if it happens, you saw it here first. If it doesn't, just call me dumb.

Prediction: UGA 24 UF 23

Teblows Last Dance

Well boys and girls I hope you've enjoyed your off-week as thoroughly as I have, but now it's time to get back to the nitty gritty. I'll be posting my prediction and recipe tomorrow evening, but I wanted to go ahead and give you some positional breakdowns with a little help from Scouts Inc. Enjoy and check back in tomorrow for updates.

Georgia offense vs. Florida defense

• Georgia has used four different starting offensive line combinations this year, and while Cordy Glenn has started the past four games at left tackle, he has also started at both guard spots. At 328 pounds, Glenn can engulf defensive tackles and ends when he gets into position but he struggles with quickness. He's going to have a difficult time handling the Gators' speed off the edge if he's asked to line up at tackle, which is why it makes sense that he reportedly moved back to guard during the bye week. However, Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong can slide the versatile DL Carlos Dunlap inside, and Dunlap has the explosive first step to beat Glenn off the ball and the upper-body strength to shed blocks quickly.

• Florida's Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins form perhaps the best cornerback tandem in the nation, but Haden (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) and Jenkins (5-11, 188) don't have great size. Georgia can exploit this vulnerability by lining up the 6-3, 230-pound TE Orson Charles at receiver and isolating him on one side of the formation. QB Joe Cox can then just loft the ball up and let Charles go get it, because Charles has the long arms to high-point the ball and shows good body control in the air.

• Look for Georgia to attack the middle of the Florida run defense. True freshman RB Washaun Ealey and 222-pound backup Richard Samuel are both tough between-the-tackles runners who can lower their shoulders and pick up yards after contact. In addition, FB Fred Munzenmeir is an effective lead blocker who has done a nice job filling in for the injured Shaun Chapas. On the flip side, Gators MLB Brandon Spikes is questionable with a groin injury that forced him to miss the Mississippi State game, and Florida's interior defensive line is banged-up.

Florida offense vs. Georgia defense

• Head coach Urban Meyer expects WR/RB Jeffery Demps to play even though Demps hurt his neck last week and is wearing a brace. Demps reaches top speed in a flash when he gets a seam, so the Bulldogs must stay in their gaps when he gets the carry. In addition, the Gators can line Demps up wide and run screens to him in an effort to get him into space. The Bulldogs must swarm to the ball and wrap up on contact when that happens because Demps is a shifty open-field runner who can make more than one defender miss. If Demps doesn't play or is limited, fellow speedster Chris Rainey will need to step up.

• Florida will likely continue to have problems running QB Tim Tebow inside in short-yardage and red zone situations. Tebow is a north-south power runner who needs a seam to be truly effective, and Florida's interior offensive line is allowing too much penetration. Georgia DT Geno Atkins is at his best using his above-average initial quickness and upper-body strength to shoot gaps and disrupt plays in the backfield. He is surrounded by a strong supporting cast as well, with the 315-pound Kade Weston getting good push up the middle and the active Jeff Owens holding his own at the point of attack.

• The Gators simplify Tebow's reads in a number of ways, including rolling him out of the pocket, running quick screens and running shuffle passes. These plays are designed to get their three best playmakers -- Tebow, Demps and TE Aaron Hernandez -- into space. Problem is, spaces become much smaller in the red zone, and that limits the effectiveness of such plays. Florida can and has created favorable one-on-one matchups by spreading the field in the red zone, but Tebow has been having trouble locating the open man and delivering the ball in rhythm over the past two games. Georgia can't let Tebow off the hook by biting on play-fakes or stepping up in run support too early.

Key individual matchup

Georgia WR A.J. Green vs. Florida CB Joe Haden

Scouts will keep a close eye on this matchup between players with first-round potential. When his footwork is sound, Haden has the burst and fluid hips to stay with Green underneath, and he rarely takes false steps. His ability to close on the ball in a flash and make plays when he gets there should also make Cox hesitant to throw at Haden. Green won't have much success getting behind Haden, either, because Haden is fast enough to turn and run with him. However, the 6-foot-4 Green has a significant height advantage, is an excellent leaper and has the long arms to snatch the ball out of the air, so he's capable of coming down with any jump balls.

Knoxville Knockout

In my last post from the past week I subtly hinted that Neyland Stadium might have less teeth than visitors (I believe it went something like "109,000 fans, 12 teeth). Having had a little over a day to digest the spicy smack-down that took place, I have realized the only toothless article in attendance Saturday was the UGA offense. Okay, that isn't entirely true; the UGA defense was pretty damn impotent as well.

I could sit here and type twenty pages paraphrasing everything that's been written in the past 24 hours about how the football program is in decline, HC MR is washed up and is no longer effective, about how the balance of power in the state of Georgia has permanently shifted to Atlanta, about how we are perennial under-achievers, how recruiting will never be the same and how all of our big-time recruits under-perform. But I'm not going to.

I believe it is what it is, a bad year. Mark Richt hasn't lost his edge, what he's lost is four members of last years squad to starting jobs in the NFL. The balance of power hasn't shifted, GT is having an above average year and we obviously are not. Five years of sub-par play is a decline, one year is an aberration. Some may still believe we are perennial under-achievers, but I think we are perennially a solid team that may have not lived up to legitimate expectations twice in the past 8 years. Recruiting will be the same, it always has been. Even Jim Donnan was able to land the biggest in-state recruits, and that isn't going to change.

I'm not even going to rant (too much) about how terribly we played Saturday, I don't have to, it was obvious. Ronnie Milsaps and Ray Charles could see how awful we were in pretty much all aspects of the game. The "strength" of our team, the offensive line, continues to disappoint. The running game is atrocious at best. Our QB still makes too many mistakes. The defense is flat out laughable. However, we do have a pretty good punter.

What I am going to rant about is how unprepared we appeared to be, how long we will continue to let the same mistakes keep occurring, and how our coaching staff as a whole can let our team quit like they did Saturday. If you watched the game, however painful it may have been, you would have sworn on your first born that nobody in a red helmet had seen a practice field in the last seven days. I understand what a last second loss can do for a teams morale, but the Dawgs of yester-year would have been angry about it, not flat. Big Red got his turn, and should be commended for waiting around for his opportunity, but he isn't getting the job done, time for a change. Ditto with the secondary. Unless we want a replay of this year in 2010, it's time to get the fresh faces some seasoning, starting under center.

The coaching staff, HC MR included, should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. When I say MR hasn't lost his edge, I mean I still honestly think he is one of the top 3 coaches in the SEC. However, I do think he is having trouble motivating his team without gimmicks (i.e. UF 2007). OC MB's play calling was as imaginative as a can of flat white primer. I know he's not physically on the field, but designing a drive that ends in points will get a team back into a game (literally and figuratively). And then there's Willie. Unfortunately, Willie IS on the field. I'm almost glad we had another poor showing so I can jump back on the fire Willie bandwagon. From the comments released in MR's teleconference Sunday evening, it appears changes are on the way, and let's hope they start on the defensive side of the ball. All in all, I would say this was one of the worst weeks I can ever remember for the UGA coaching staff, and I'm including last year's UA and UF games. They brought an unprepared team to one of the hardest places in the nation to play, and let them quit shortly after halftime. Saturday was an embarrassment to the University.


There will be no "need to knows" on Thursday in regard to the showdown with Vanderbilt, as I am going to be loving life far away from the rigors of work, and approximately 30 miles offshore. However, I will post my prediction and recipe, as well as any other pertinent news before heading South.

109,000 Fans, 12 Teeth. Welcome to Neyland.

Can the Dawgs go to Neyland Stadium and actually pull it out? I think they can, but for that to happen three things must occur.

1. We must find a running game

Richard Samuel, Carlton Thomas, and Caleb King have all had enough playing time to prove themselves. Samuel is young and seems tentative at times. Thomas, while fast, does not seem to possess the power needed to consistently succeed in the SEC. King has been injured, and now we find that he cracked his lower jaw in the game against LSU. Samuel can be productive, but it appears that King may spend the duration of his Metallic Trouser'd career on the injury roster.

Washaun Ealey ran with purpose against LSU. He hit the hole hard and continued to drive his legs until he hit the turf. He looked strong and fast. He seems to have great vision on the field.

Of course, I'm not saying that Ealey is the next Big Thighs, but after looking at our rushing stats from the past two weeks, I see no reason to not give him a chance.

2) Michael Moore, Orson Charles, and Tavarres King need to be more involved

With Eric Berry lurking over AJ Green's shoulder, it will be even more important for Big Red to spot other folks in the passing game, though the latter might be increasingly more difficult, seeing as TK is not going to be suited up for the game.

Orson has to become more of a target. He was huge in the Ark game but basically vanished against LS-Who. Michael Moore also has to make his presence known again, as he has basically dropped off the radar the past couple of weeks.

AJ Green is without a doubt one of the greatest receivers to ever play at the UGA, and who knows, he might wind up being one of the best ever, but having said that, he still can't do it alone. Bobo and Cox will need to find a way to get Moore and OC back into the mix. If Cox continues to throw into double and triple coverage, trying to get the ball to all world AJ, Berry is going to be a Rolex employee by the end of the day as good as he'll be cleaning clocks.

3) Get to Crompton early and often

If Georgia is to win Saturday, they must make life miserable for Crompton. He needs to get hit every time he throws the ball and have his ass permanently planted into the Neyland turf. JJ looked lost at times last week, and without his beast of a TB, he wouldn't have survived the defensive onslaught. Crompton has the talent of former UT great Jim Bob Cooter, and the arm of my neighbors 12 year old daughter. Make him hurt, make him bleed, and make him cry.

The UT defense will keep this game close, as there is no doubt they have incredible talent (and finally some coaching) on that side of the ball. However, their offense has looked even more anemic than ours at most times this season, and for that reason I see us pulling out a close one in the land of the Teefless Ones.

Prediction: UGA 20 UT 16

Excessively Excessive

Here is the link to an excellent article written today by MR. CFB Tony Barnhart, it is taken directly from his blog on the AJC. I recommend everyone follow his blog, as it is probably one of the better readings to be found involving all things football.

http://blogs.ajc.com/barnhart-college-football/2009/10/05/its-time-to-eliminate-the-excessive-celebration-rule/?cxntfid=blogs_barnhart_college_football

...and Mark May said it best?

"In my opinion, it was one of the worst calls I have seen in some time. Georgia had just led an excellent drive that put them on top with little time left in the game, only to have the games outcome altered by the officials. The outcome of a game should never be affected by a celebration penalty, especially one so minute as what Bulldogs were accused of. It is truly a disgrace." -- Mark May on the "penalty"

Honestly, I never thought I would say it, but I couldn't agree more Mark. Even Lou Holtz' old ornery ass thought it was a bogus call. Rece Davis was beside himself, as were the other 93,000 some-odd Bulldawg faithful in attendance of Saturday's game. To have the outcome of a game decided by a bogus flag thrown for celebration after the biggest play to happen in 59 minutes of play is absolutely absurd. Some may argue that the flag less important than the lack of coverage on the ensuing kick, but I would have to disagree. Yes, the coverage on the kickoff was bad to say the least, but still, a 40 yard return is less problematic if the ball is taken at the goal line as opposed to the 20. A hard fought, well-played game by both sides will long be overshadowed by a reckless ref throwing laundry around where he had no business doing so.

Aside from the last three minutes of the game, there weren't a lot of bright spots for either side, at least offensively. Our guys managed a total of 45 yards on the ground for the day, and the Bengals couldn't get it done inside the red zone. This game was dominated from the get go by both defensive units, yes, I said BOTH. Willie's boys got to the QB six time on the day, something we haven't done since blasting Brennan a new one in the Sugar Bowl in 2007. Only one big pass play was surrendered on the day, but was negated by a holding call. All in all, you would have to say it was our finest defensive performance of the season, even taking the final drive into account.

Offensively, we were pretty offensive for the second consecutive week, managing a mere 274 yards total for the game, including the aforementioned 45 yards on the ground. If there was a bright spot, it had to be Washaun Ealey, who kindred memories of the last player in red to wear number 24. Of course AJ was AJ, and ended the day with a more than respectable 5 catches and 99 yards. However, throughout the first 57 minutes of the game we looked mostly inept in all areas of the offense. Run blocking continued to be less than stellar, open receivers were too often passed by for the hope of a big play, and our two starting TB's looked as inexperienced as ever.

All of that being said, we still put ourselves in a position to win the game, only to have it yanked from our clutches by an over-eager officiating crew. We can only hope this game isn't so demoralizing that it stays with us into the next week and those games that follow. We played 60 minutes with one of the best teams in the country and if nothing else should be commended for such a hard fought game. Though our guys trailed, they never gave up, and made a play when it needed to be made. If there is a silver lining, it would have to be that we still control our own SEC destiny. Winning out, however improbable that may be, still gets us to Atlanta.


**On a side note, the rest of the SEC TV schedule has been released for next weekend, and UGA vs. TN will be televised by the SEC network at 12:21pm.