With all the love rightfully going around for Samuel one thing that has been overlooked is the play of Crowell. He had another solid game with 18 carries for 18 yards. His biggest play of the game however was a play he never touched the ball. On Murray's first touchdown pass Crowell lined up on the right side of the formation. He took a look to the right and then left and saw that Glenn had been beat to the outside. Crowell calmly stepped across in front of Murray then laid into the Florida pass rusher making sure the guy never touched Murray. Without that blitz pickup by the freshman we turn the ball over on downs and who knows what happens from there.
Despite winning 6 in a row and having finally knocked off Florida I am still reading grumblings here and there about the schedule it has been done against and the ugly manner in which some of the games have been won. While both of those are things to consider can't people just take a few days to celebrate something that hasn't happened near enough lately. 6 in a row is pretty nice. Sitting tied for the SEC east lead is pretty nice. Beating UF anytime is great. Enjoy it people, at least for a few days.
I also think there is something to be thought about from looking at UF this year. Muschamp may turn things around at UF as this is only his first year but then again they may be headed for a period not seen around Florida since the 80's. There is a small number of people who still want Richt gone. I think at this point, barring losses to GT and AU it is very premature. Richt has got the team light years ahead of last year and with all the players we should have back for next year the future looks even better. The east will again be wide open next year with UF having a long ways to go, USC will most likely not have Jeffery back and Lattimore will be recovering from a major knee injury. UT's roster is still a mess and I don't see Dooley digging them out of it by next year. Replacing Richt when he will have his best team coming back since 2007/2008 (combined 21-5) I think would be a huge mistake as it would take time for the new coaches to get their system in place in time for a run at an SEC title run next year. Richt still is a recruiting machine, most everyone on the two deep is back next year and with the way the defense is playing right now Georgia could be a dark horse pick to win it all next year. Unless something drastic happens between now and the final game of the year I see no reason to even consider changing coaches.
Showing posts with label florida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label florida. Show all posts
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Keys to a Georgia Win - Florida edition
1. Win the turnover battle - Last three games against UF Georgia is -11 in the turnover battle. This season Georgia is plus 7 in turnovers and Florida is minus 5. Georgia needs to make sure this seasons trend continues not the trend in the series.
the next two go hand in hand
2. Controlled aggression - Being proactive in everything they do. Not backing down but doing so under control so that they do they maintain assignments. A flag here or there for being a bit over aggressive, say hitting a receiver coming across the middle a step early and making him think twice about doing it again and drawing a flag equals not too bad a penalty, but not for being stupid, say hitting a receiver two steps late after he has already dropped the ball equals plain stupid.
3. Play to win - This is cliche but for Georgia it is vital against UF. Georgia has to play to win the game as opposed to playing simply not to lose. The team will follow the coaches lead. Richt, Bobo and Grantham need to have an aggressive game plan and stick to it. Some fans have been unhappy with the way Georgia has gone conservative in games that were well in hand. Normally I am actually in favor of that type of gameplan. I am by nature old school when it comes to football. Get a lead, protect it with running the ball and great defense. However I believe against UF that Georgia has to keep its foot on the pedal unless the game gets completely out of hand. By out of hand I mean Georgia is up a touchdown for each minute left in the game. One minute left in the game and up a touchdown, run the ball right up the middle every play. Two minutes up fourteen same thing. Three minutes up 21 more of the same and so on.
This plan however goes further than finishing out the game. Georgia must call an aggressive game right from the start. 3rd and long for the Florida, don't always drop back in a zone, mix it up, bring some heat. Not every third and long but keep Florida guessing. On offense don't be afraid to let Murray drop back and throw on third and long. Again not every third and long has to be drop back and try to hit a home run but mix it up. Take a few chances and see what happens.
Prediction - 38-17 Georgia. Call it wishful thinking, call it crazy given the series recent history but I simply have a feeling that Georgia will finally play a complete game this season and when they do I don't think UF will be able to hang.
the next two go hand in hand
2. Controlled aggression - Being proactive in everything they do. Not backing down but doing so under control so that they do they maintain assignments. A flag here or there for being a bit over aggressive, say hitting a receiver coming across the middle a step early and making him think twice about doing it again and drawing a flag equals not too bad a penalty, but not for being stupid, say hitting a receiver two steps late after he has already dropped the ball equals plain stupid.
3. Play to win - This is cliche but for Georgia it is vital against UF. Georgia has to play to win the game as opposed to playing simply not to lose. The team will follow the coaches lead. Richt, Bobo and Grantham need to have an aggressive game plan and stick to it. Some fans have been unhappy with the way Georgia has gone conservative in games that were well in hand. Normally I am actually in favor of that type of gameplan. I am by nature old school when it comes to football. Get a lead, protect it with running the ball and great defense. However I believe against UF that Georgia has to keep its foot on the pedal unless the game gets completely out of hand. By out of hand I mean Georgia is up a touchdown for each minute left in the game. One minute left in the game and up a touchdown, run the ball right up the middle every play. Two minutes up fourteen same thing. Three minutes up 21 more of the same and so on.
This plan however goes further than finishing out the game. Georgia must call an aggressive game right from the start. 3rd and long for the Florida, don't always drop back in a zone, mix it up, bring some heat. Not every third and long but keep Florida guessing. On offense don't be afraid to let Murray drop back and throw on third and long. Again not every third and long has to be drop back and try to hit a home run but mix it up. Take a few chances and see what happens.
Prediction - 38-17 Georgia. Call it wishful thinking, call it crazy given the series recent history but I simply have a feeling that Georgia will finally play a complete game this season and when they do I don't think UF will be able to hang.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
New Blood a good thing
As shown by this report in the Athens Banner-Herald there will be a large number of players on both teams that are new to the Georgia/Florida series. I think that this plays into Georgia's favor. None of those players have been a part of a loss to UF. As I wrote about not to long ago, this group of freshmen seem to have brought in an attitude change that has helped the team this year.
I am with Bernie fully that it is long past due that not just the team but the fans quit making excuses for the losses. I believe this team with go in with the attitude that they are going to win the game because they are the better team instead of hoping to win the game. Play to win instead of not to lose. Something will go wrong during the game. When it does instead of melting like a stick of butter and expecting the worst that is time to tighten to chin strap and focus even more. The East is the Dawgs for the taking, let us all(players, coaches, and FANS) all do our parts in bringing it home. No excuses, just get it done.
I am with Bernie fully that it is long past due that not just the team but the fans quit making excuses for the losses. I believe this team with go in with the attitude that they are going to win the game because they are the better team instead of hoping to win the game. Play to win instead of not to lose. Something will go wrong during the game. When it does instead of melting like a stick of butter and expecting the worst that is time to tighten to chin strap and focus even more. The East is the Dawgs for the taking, let us all(players, coaches, and FANS) all do our parts in bringing it home. No excuses, just get it done.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Florida by the numbers
First number is rank in the SEC
Scoring offense
5 Georgia 32.3ppg
6 Florida 26.9ppg
Rushing offense
6 Florida 175.71ypg
7 Georgia 162.43ypg
Passing offense
3 Georgia 248.7ypg
8 Florida 178.0ypg
Total offense
3 Georgia 411.1ypg
7 Florida 353.7ypg
Scoring defense
3 Florida 18.9ppg
6 Georgia 20.4ppg
Rushing defense
3 Georgia 102.00ypg
4 Florida 120.71ypg
Passing defense
3 Florida 168.4ppg
4 Georgia 171.0ppg
Total defense
3 Georgia 273.0ppg
5 Florida 289.1ppg
Turnover margin
4 Georgia +5
12 Florida -7
Punt returns allowed
3 Florida 4.3 per return
12 Georgia 14.6 per return
FG %
1 Caleb Sturgis 93.8
9 Blair Walsh 60.0 (lowest among SEC kickers that have enough kicks to qualify)
As you can tell the two teams are close in many categories. Georgia has a significant advantage in points per game scored, passing offense and turnover margin. Florida has a significant advantage in average punt return allowed and FG%. The biggest reason for the difference in turnover margin is that Georgia has gotten 7 more interceptions than Florida. If Georgia can continue to win the turnover and simply hold their own in special teams it has a great chance to win the game. Coming into the season Georgia was expected to dominate special teams against most teams but that has not played out. Florida is one of the few teams that coming into the year has specialist that would be considered as good as Georgia's. Maybe that is what they need to get them focused enough to do the job they should have been all along.
Scoring offense
5 Georgia 32.3ppg
6 Florida 26.9ppg
Rushing offense
6 Florida 175.71ypg
7 Georgia 162.43ypg
Passing offense
3 Georgia 248.7ypg
8 Florida 178.0ypg
Total offense
3 Georgia 411.1ypg
7 Florida 353.7ypg
Scoring defense
3 Florida 18.9ppg
6 Georgia 20.4ppg
Rushing defense
3 Georgia 102.00ypg
4 Florida 120.71ypg
Passing defense
3 Florida 168.4ppg
4 Georgia 171.0ppg
Total defense
3 Georgia 273.0ppg
5 Florida 289.1ppg
Turnover margin
4 Georgia +5
12 Florida -7
Punt returns allowed
3 Florida 4.3 per return
12 Georgia 14.6 per return
FG %
1 Caleb Sturgis 93.8
9 Blair Walsh 60.0 (lowest among SEC kickers that have enough kicks to qualify)
As you can tell the two teams are close in many categories. Georgia has a significant advantage in points per game scored, passing offense and turnover margin. Florida has a significant advantage in average punt return allowed and FG%. The biggest reason for the difference in turnover margin is that Georgia has gotten 7 more interceptions than Florida. If Georgia can continue to win the turnover and simply hold their own in special teams it has a great chance to win the game. Coming into the season Georgia was expected to dominate special teams against most teams but that has not played out. Florida is one of the few teams that coming into the year has specialist that would be considered as good as Georgia's. Maybe that is what they need to get them focused enough to do the job they should have been all along.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Nutrition at Florida
While trying not to throw up from all of the coverage on ESPN today about UF I came across two pieces of gold. First was seeing that fried chicken was the main menu item for dinner caught my eye. It got even better when I came across this gem. I know linemen have to put away a lot of food to maintain their weight but I don't think that chinese buffets followed by Big Macs are the best way to get there. Will this hurt UF on the field come gametime? Will Georgia's added emphasis on nutrition help the team? I don't know for sure but it can't hurt.
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