I don't care what team it was against the second quarter yesterday was a thing of brillance. To score 42 points in a quarter the offense special teams and defense all have to be playing at a high level. Georgia needed to get the backups, especially on the offensive line, lots of playing time and they accomplished that. I am not certain but I do not believe any of the starters on the offensive line played a single down in the second half. Murray didn't take any hits for a chance and with walkons getting most of the carries Georiga rushed for 258 yards. We also did not have to use Smith or Boykin much on offense and so the whole team should be fresh for the game against Auburn. Here is my review of keys to the game.
Keys to the Game - New Mexico State
1. Success with passing on first downs - Result - A few first down plays were missing in the play by play on ESPN but from what I counted we were 10/10 passing on first downs and 3 TD's with several other long passes. This helped open up the running game to the tune of 258 yards rushing. Great job.
2. Kickoff Coverage - Result - Georgia held NMSU to 21 yards per return. Not great but almost 5 yards per return below their average and they never broke a big one. Job well done.
3. Come out focused - Result -The team started a little bit slow but put up 42 points in the second quarter to end the game early. That does not happen if they are not focused.
4. Score Touchdowns not field goals - Result - Nine touchdowns to nine different players. Zero FG attempts and only 3 punts. Awesome.
Prediction - 45-10 Result - 63-13
bonus prediction - One of Georgia's running backs will go over 100 yards. Result - Harton ended up with 98 yards so I just missed on this one. With Samuel out for the season and Crowell having shown fatigue in the second half of games he should get more chances as the season goes on. Nothing near his carries for this game but a few here and there. I also expect that with Samuel done for the season that Malcome may get a few chances in short yardage situations seeing as he is the only big back we have left.
Overall Georgia did what they needed. They got the win, got the starters a lot of rest, the backups a lot of snaps, and no one that I know of what injured. That is exactly what a coach wants when a game like this is on the schedule. Great job by Richt and the staff of keeping the team on task in a game that it would have been easy for the team to lose focus.
Edit - One thing I noticed during the game was the fact of how vanilla we played on defense. We basically came with a 4 man rush 7 man drop in a basic coverage the whole game. I am sure Grantham worked on a few things for AU this week in practice and was not going to break out anything he didn't have to this week.
Showing posts with label New Mexico State. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Mexico State. Show all posts
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Keys to the Game - New Mexico State
1. Success with passing on first downs - With Georgia missing 4 running backs for this game it will be important to have success passing the ball on first downs to open up things for the running game. If Georgia struggles throwing the ball it will allow New Mexico State to keep more guys in the box to help hide their weakness in stopping the run. If Murray and company can stretch the field a bit and force New Mexico State to keep their safeties out of the box then even with the guys we will have running the ball we should be able to have a solid day rushing the ball against them.
2. Kickoff Coverage - I really don't think that New Mexico State can move the ball the length of the field. They do however have one of the top return games in the country while Georgia is one of the worst at covering kickoffs. The best way New Mexico State can stay in the game is to get big returns and give their offense a short field. Even if they end up having to punt it will keep our offense pinned back in our own end. If we can just be average in coverage and keep them from starting past their own 35 then the defense will be able to get the offense pretty good field position most of the game.
3. Come out focused - This game is sandwiched between Florida and Auburn and appears to be against a team that can't threaten Georgia. That would be enough to make the game closer than it should be. Georgia is also missing all scholarship running backs. I am hoping that the latter will actually serve as a catalyst to stay focused for the game. If everyone comes out focused this game will be over early and Georgia will be able to use the second half to rest its starters for the AU game.
4. Score Touchdowns not field goals - Georgia will be able to move the ball. However down in the red zone they have not been able to put the ball in the end zone as often as they should. They are only scoring touchdowns on 54.55% of their red zone trips. Outside of turning the ball over that is the best way to let a lesser team hang around. You can score on every drive and have the halftime score be something like 15-7 if you are settling for field goals. That can be even closer if your kicker is struggling to make his kicks. Put the ball in the end zone and put the game away quick.
Prediction - 45-10
bonus prediction - One of Georgia's running backs will go over 100 yards.
2. Kickoff Coverage - I really don't think that New Mexico State can move the ball the length of the field. They do however have one of the top return games in the country while Georgia is one of the worst at covering kickoffs. The best way New Mexico State can stay in the game is to get big returns and give their offense a short field. Even if they end up having to punt it will keep our offense pinned back in our own end. If we can just be average in coverage and keep them from starting past their own 35 then the defense will be able to get the offense pretty good field position most of the game.
3. Come out focused - This game is sandwiched between Florida and Auburn and appears to be against a team that can't threaten Georgia. That would be enough to make the game closer than it should be. Georgia is also missing all scholarship running backs. I am hoping that the latter will actually serve as a catalyst to stay focused for the game. If everyone comes out focused this game will be over early and Georgia will be able to use the second half to rest its starters for the AU game.
4. Score Touchdowns not field goals - Georgia will be able to move the ball. However down in the red zone they have not been able to put the ball in the end zone as often as they should. They are only scoring touchdowns on 54.55% of their red zone trips. Outside of turning the ball over that is the best way to let a lesser team hang around. You can score on every drive and have the halftime score be something like 15-7 if you are settling for field goals. That can be even closer if your kicker is struggling to make his kicks. Put the ball in the end zone and put the game away quick.
Prediction - 45-10
bonus prediction - One of Georgia's running backs will go over 100 yards.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
New Mexico State by the numbers
Last number is national rank and listed last.
Offense:
Scoring - 28.4 ppg - 60th
Rushing - 121.25 ypg - 94th
Passing - 297.3 ypg - 15th
Total - 418.3 ypg - 45th
Kickoff returns - 25.49 yards per return - 12th
Punt returns - 6 yards per return - 90th
Turnover margin - +2 - 43rd
Sacks allowed - 2.63 per game - 93rd
Tackles for loss allowed - 5.38 TFL per game - 45th
3rd down conversions - 38.26% - 80th
Defense -
Scoring - 32.5 ppg - 98th
Rushing - 214.38 ypg - 111th
Passing - 228.3 ypg - 65th
Total - 442.6 ypg - 106th
3rd down conversions allowed - 40.19% - 56th
Sacks - 1.63 per game - 82nd
Tackles for loss - 4.25 per game - 110th
Overall New Mexico State has given up more points and yards than it has gained. Georgia will have to sure up the kickoff coverage as New Mexico State is one of the best in the country at returning kickoffs. The offensive line for Georgia should be able to do a good job as New Mexico State is near the bottom of the country in sacks and tackles for loss. The only major area that they really stand out is passing offense and kickoff returns. Their starting running back does average 5.34 yards per carry but as a team they are averaging only 3.58 ypc and they don't run the ball often. With the way Georgia's pass rush has been lately I like to see that they 93rd in the nation in allowing sacks.
Offense:
Scoring - 28.4 ppg - 60th
Rushing - 121.25 ypg - 94th
Passing - 297.3 ypg - 15th
Total - 418.3 ypg - 45th
Kickoff returns - 25.49 yards per return - 12th
Punt returns - 6 yards per return - 90th
Turnover margin - +2 - 43rd
Sacks allowed - 2.63 per game - 93rd
Tackles for loss allowed - 5.38 TFL per game - 45th
3rd down conversions - 38.26% - 80th
Defense -
Scoring - 32.5 ppg - 98th
Rushing - 214.38 ypg - 111th
Passing - 228.3 ypg - 65th
Total - 442.6 ypg - 106th
3rd down conversions allowed - 40.19% - 56th
Sacks - 1.63 per game - 82nd
Tackles for loss - 4.25 per game - 110th
Overall New Mexico State has given up more points and yards than it has gained. Georgia will have to sure up the kickoff coverage as New Mexico State is one of the best in the country at returning kickoffs. The offensive line for Georgia should be able to do a good job as New Mexico State is near the bottom of the country in sacks and tackles for loss. The only major area that they really stand out is passing offense and kickoff returns. Their starting running back does average 5.34 yards per carry but as a team they are averaging only 3.58 ypc and they don't run the ball often. With the way Georgia's pass rush has been lately I like to see that they 93rd in the nation in allowing sacks.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
New Mexico State Gameplan
By now everyone knows that Georgia will be without it's only four recruited scholarship running backs. It will also most likely be without Mitchell or Wooten at wide receiver. If Troupe returns that will leave Georgia with five scholarship wide receivers for Saturday's game.
The good news is that being a non-conference home game Georgia can dress out everyone who is available for the game. That means all options are on the table and the coaches don't have to decide on a "dress" list for the game. This is a game Georgia easily could have come out flat for after the emotional win against Florida and with Auburn on the horizon. With being as short handed as they will be it will keep the offense focused as they know the players left have to pick up the slack. Grantham will also most likely convince the defense that the offense will struggle without any running backs and that it will be entirely on them to win the game. With no suspension or injuries on the defensive side of the ball they will be at 100% at the start of a game for the first all year. That is a scary thought considering how they have been playing while missing players.
So what are the options for the offense? The most basic option is to keep things relatively the same and have a next man up philosphy. That would mean running the same plays but with different players. The next guys in line at running back are walkons Kyle Karempelis, Brandon Harton, and Wes Van Dyk. According to ESPN's recruiting site Karempelis is an under recruited 2* running back. Their scouting report says he has great quickness but not top end speed. He runs hard for a 5'9" 180lb running back and finishes runs well. They also report that he has great cut back ability. According to their scout he could have been a good mid-major pickup. Considering New Mexico State is a mid-level mid-major he should be able to have some success behind an SEC line, even though it is not a great one, against a mid-major defense that is giving up 214 yards per game. That is more than any team Georgia has or will play all year except Ole Miss. Karempelis finished his high school career with 5756 yards rushing and 93 TD's. Brandon Harton is only 5'6" 174lbs but has shown flashes in practice, the spring game, and against Coastal Carolina that he has very good speed. His best run against Coastal Carolina was called back for a hold or he would have a 30 yard TD to his credit. Van Dyk is a senior who has only 1 carry on the season but he brings a bit more size than the other two running backs that are left at 6' 203lbs. He is a senior and so he should know the system well so his ability to pass block should be furthest along.
The second option is to move some people around to get the best talent on the field. Bobo mentioned Zander Ogletree, Damian Swann and Nick Marshall each by name but also said that there might be a surprise. It would be no surprise if Smith or Boykin took a few snaps at running back as both have played there at times this season. Swann, Marshall, Smith and Boykin would each offer a great deal of athletism to the position and be a home run threat each time they touched the ball. Ogletree could provide the tough inside yards as he is more physical than the other options so he could be the short yardage guy. Marshall having played quarterback in high school could run some wildcat plays and also gives the threat of a halfback pass. He was rated a 3 star recruit at QB by ESPN. He is a great athlete that is also expected to play basketball at Georgia so he could be a threat out of the back field at 6'1". I wouldn't expect Smith or Boykin to carry the ball too many times despite having the most experience because of the need for them on defense and the fact that the coaches don't want them banged up for the game against AU. The only way I see them playing a good number of snaps on offense is if Georgia is really struggling to move the ball. Marshall and Swann play far fewer snaps on defense and therefore could see a lot of time on the offensive side of the ball if they show they can handle it early on.
The one position on offense that has tons of talent and depth is tight end. To fill in the snaps lost by the running backs Georgia could go to two and even three tight ends as needed. They can do this from a bulk perspective to provide more blocking for the running game but can also use White and Charles as passing threats from the tight end position. They can even spread them out into the slot if they decide to go four wide to help keep the receivers fresh. With a four wide set Figgins and Ogletree can provide quailty blocking in the single back set as well as the threat of catching the ball out of the back field so that New Mexico State will still have to account for them. It is possible Georgia will use the single back set and have the FB in the set provide blocking for Murray so that it almost like an I formation to take advantage of Murray's ability to run. I don't expect to see that unless the team is struggling so as to protect Murray for next week's game.
There are a variety of ways the coaches can cover up for the loss of so many running backs. My guess is that Georgia will use a combination of all of them to try and keep the Aggies of balance. Georgia may decide to throw the ball all over the field but I expect that they will attempt, at least unless it proves to not be working, to run the ball to take advantage of the weak New Mexico State rushing defense.
The good news is that being a non-conference home game Georgia can dress out everyone who is available for the game. That means all options are on the table and the coaches don't have to decide on a "dress" list for the game. This is a game Georgia easily could have come out flat for after the emotional win against Florida and with Auburn on the horizon. With being as short handed as they will be it will keep the offense focused as they know the players left have to pick up the slack. Grantham will also most likely convince the defense that the offense will struggle without any running backs and that it will be entirely on them to win the game. With no suspension or injuries on the defensive side of the ball they will be at 100% at the start of a game for the first all year. That is a scary thought considering how they have been playing while missing players.
So what are the options for the offense? The most basic option is to keep things relatively the same and have a next man up philosphy. That would mean running the same plays but with different players. The next guys in line at running back are walkons Kyle Karempelis, Brandon Harton, and Wes Van Dyk. According to ESPN's recruiting site Karempelis is an under recruited 2* running back. Their scouting report says he has great quickness but not top end speed. He runs hard for a 5'9" 180lb running back and finishes runs well. They also report that he has great cut back ability. According to their scout he could have been a good mid-major pickup. Considering New Mexico State is a mid-level mid-major he should be able to have some success behind an SEC line, even though it is not a great one, against a mid-major defense that is giving up 214 yards per game. That is more than any team Georgia has or will play all year except Ole Miss. Karempelis finished his high school career with 5756 yards rushing and 93 TD's. Brandon Harton is only 5'6" 174lbs but has shown flashes in practice, the spring game, and against Coastal Carolina that he has very good speed. His best run against Coastal Carolina was called back for a hold or he would have a 30 yard TD to his credit. Van Dyk is a senior who has only 1 carry on the season but he brings a bit more size than the other two running backs that are left at 6' 203lbs. He is a senior and so he should know the system well so his ability to pass block should be furthest along.
The second option is to move some people around to get the best talent on the field. Bobo mentioned Zander Ogletree, Damian Swann and Nick Marshall each by name but also said that there might be a surprise. It would be no surprise if Smith or Boykin took a few snaps at running back as both have played there at times this season. Swann, Marshall, Smith and Boykin would each offer a great deal of athletism to the position and be a home run threat each time they touched the ball. Ogletree could provide the tough inside yards as he is more physical than the other options so he could be the short yardage guy. Marshall having played quarterback in high school could run some wildcat plays and also gives the threat of a halfback pass. He was rated a 3 star recruit at QB by ESPN. He is a great athlete that is also expected to play basketball at Georgia so he could be a threat out of the back field at 6'1". I wouldn't expect Smith or Boykin to carry the ball too many times despite having the most experience because of the need for them on defense and the fact that the coaches don't want them banged up for the game against AU. The only way I see them playing a good number of snaps on offense is if Georgia is really struggling to move the ball. Marshall and Swann play far fewer snaps on defense and therefore could see a lot of time on the offensive side of the ball if they show they can handle it early on.
The one position on offense that has tons of talent and depth is tight end. To fill in the snaps lost by the running backs Georgia could go to two and even three tight ends as needed. They can do this from a bulk perspective to provide more blocking for the running game but can also use White and Charles as passing threats from the tight end position. They can even spread them out into the slot if they decide to go four wide to help keep the receivers fresh. With a four wide set Figgins and Ogletree can provide quailty blocking in the single back set as well as the threat of catching the ball out of the back field so that New Mexico State will still have to account for them. It is possible Georgia will use the single back set and have the FB in the set provide blocking for Murray so that it almost like an I formation to take advantage of Murray's ability to run. I don't expect to see that unless the team is struggling so as to protect Murray for next week's game.
There are a variety of ways the coaches can cover up for the loss of so many running backs. My guess is that Georgia will use a combination of all of them to try and keep the Aggies of balance. Georgia may decide to throw the ball all over the field but I expect that they will attempt, at least unless it proves to not be working, to run the ball to take advantage of the weak New Mexico State rushing defense.
New Mexico State's RB was once considered better than Chris Johnson
In trying to compare the running backs we will have available on Saturday to the ones New Mexico State will put on the field I found a very interesting read on how New Mexico State running back Kenny Turner was once on the same high school team as Chris Johnson. After reading this article whatever issues our running backs are having right now seem pretty small.
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