I have not been a regular blogger lately, and for those that check my blog on a somewhat regular basis, I do apologize. Between work and vacations, both in the past and one upcoming at the end of this week, just not a lot of time. I don't think I have that many loyal readers but for those that do stop by on a somewhat regular basis, thanks again for reading. For those that stop by every so often or those that have just found the blog, I hope you will continue to come back and read my thoughts/opinions for what little they are worth. So on Dawgpost the other day I noticed someone started a post about predict the 2011 season. I did not respond to that post but thought, what the heck, I will put my thoughts here. I have said before that I believe that Coach Richt IS on a warm seat, it could get HOT if he losses the first two games. That being said, if he wins those first two games, WATCH OUT.
So let's get started and this will not be an in depth preview of each opponent, rather just my general thoughts based on what I know about our team primarily and the limited amount I know about our opponents.
Boise State-very solid program, don't knock them because of their conference. I have watched them play enough of the big boys to believe this team is very capable of beating big boy teams such as UGA. I think a lot of UGA fans are banking on this Boise team being just like the one we rolled over in Athens back in 2005. That would be a mistake. First of all, this team has a MUCH better QB than that team-this kid reminds me a LOT of our own David Greene. He is very poised and simply doesn't make mistakes. They also have a solid running game and a couple experienced OL. On D, the Boise folks are saying this is their best front 7 maybe ever, the secondary is a bit weak but we are unproven at the WR position. Bottom line to me, Boise is not going to be intimidated playing us at the dome. We have a lot to prove and no doubt we have MORE talent overall but Boise will present a tough challenge. My gut tells me Boise wins this game, my heart tells me UGA wins it. For some reason, I go with UGA here simply because I have faith in our defense. I am not confident in our running game but I am confident that Aaron Murray will play well. So, again, I say UGA wins this game and I personally believe it will be lower scoring than a lot of people believe. I say UGA wins it 24-21.
Up next is the defending SECe champs South Carolina. This team is VERY dangerous and scares me to death in that they have Jeffrey and Lattimore. What gives me hope is Garcia-he is still around and although he has played well against us in the past, I feel like should we contain Latt, we win this game. SCarolina is a solid team and they always play us well but I really like us to win this game, even with a loss to Boise. I say UGA 21-17.
Coastal Carolina, after the first two weeks, this one over at half and everyone gets a good rest. 42-10.
First road game is in Oxford against the Rebels. Now, I admit I know very little about Ole Miss but do know they return a stud at the RB position but the QB position is up for grabs, looks like they have another transfer coming in to take the QB slot. If they beat BYU in week one, they have a shot to be 3-0 heading into this game, they play Southern ILL-not a pushover but they should win that one and at Vandy before they host us. I still think we should win this game and maybe regain some of the road success we used to rely on. 31-14
Miss State comes to Athens coming off a great season and they return a lot of those kids from last year, including the QB and stud RB. That being said, we have more talent than the imposter Dogs and if we get swept by them in our home and home, that will be an embarrassment. We will know a little bit about Miss State before we play them, they have SEC games before us @AU and home vs. LSU. I have to say we win this one, but it will be close, 21-17.
Next up is a trip to Knox. Last two times we have been up there, UGLY and honestly, I think this is a game we could easily lose. Not that UT is better than us but just I will play the percentages here. I don't think we are going unbeaten this year and based on the last two trips up there, one time where a QB name Crompton looked like Joe Montana, I will pick the Vols to beat us, 24-21.
Next we are back in Tenn, this time against Vandy. They have a new coach and honestly this is a game we must take care of business. Sometimes we play poorly up in Nashville but I think coming off my loss to UT, we will come out ready to go. 35-10.
After a week off, we play in Jax against the mighty Gators and new coach Muschamp. As much as we NEED to win this game and have to start beating the Gators again, I simply can't pick us to win this game UNTIL we start proving we can win this game-and not just every 7-10 years either. We lost to UF in OT last year, I think UF is going to lose 3-4 games this year with a brutal schedule but I think they find a way to beat us again. This time 21-17.
We roll NMexSt, 48-0.
Auburn comes to town next and I don't expect AU to be nearly as talented as last year. I think all the Chizik and Malzahn talk will be in a slightly different tone this year. Amazing how a star player at the QB position, coupled with a bunch of seniors can make coaches look so good. I think our players will see the cheap shot by Fairley on Murray probably 1 million times before the game and us fans will see it nearly that many times. One play in a game will not dictate how this years game goes but certainly I think our guys will be VERY motivated for the Auburn whatever you choose to call them-I say we beat these guys 28-14.
Next up is home against Kentucky. Two years ago, we handed the game to UK on a silver platter, we had a 14 point lead only to have Branden Smith fumble the opening kickoff inside our 20, then Joe Cox threw an INT that was returned for a TD, also had a fumble returned for a TD I think-simply put, it was UGLY. I don't know much about UK but I am thinking that this game could have HUGE SECe implications. We win 31-21.
Finally good old fashion hate, at GTU. PJ won a game against us in year one but we now have a 2-1 record against the great one. I follow GT closer than any team outside of Athens, heck I work right arcross the street from that campus and have many friends that attended the school. I want to beat them more than anyone on the schedule, except maybe UF. To be honest, I personally believe since PJ took over, the talent level has dropped over there. Yes, he is now recruiting for his system at Tech but his system is built to work on the high school or lower divisions of college. Yes, it worked at Navy and yes he has had some success at Tech but two years ago, when we beat them in Atlanta with probably his best assembly of talent, I think that is as high as he can get that program. I don't see another RB in that program-unless they redshirted him, that comes close to Dwyer or Allen. Without that big hoss at the fullback or B-back, whatever position they call it, that takes away a BIG part of that offense. The new QB, well, he might be able to pass better than Nesbitt but they don't have any decent receivers-they had DThomas but Chan Gailey recruited him for his pro style offense. Nesbitt was a warrior at QB and took a beating but kept on playing-his injury happened trying to make a tackle, not being tackled. Most QB's are NOT going to last like he did getting pounded. I predict we win this game going away because if you can get ahead of Tech by 2 TD's, the game is usually over-except for our first game with them of course. I think with Jenkins and Geathers in the middle crushing the middle, then our speed at the OLB position, it is going to be TOUGH for them to run that offense against us. UGA 35-17.
So, I predict we go 10-2 and win the SECe. Not sure about the SEC title because I think once again the SECw will be the stronger division. I think LSU SHOULD be the favorite to win the west this year. If we go 0-2 at of the gate which is very possible, I think our best case is 9-3 but more likely 8-3 to even 7-5. If we go 1-1 out of the gate, I can still see us going 10-2 but probably best case is 9-3. Bottom line to me is our program has talent, and the young guys coming in are not only talented but confident and WILL push our vets. That being said, our mental state is fragile right now. We have had two straight average to below average seasons and we have a pretty small senior class-meaning guys that were around in 2007 and 2008 when we had a bit of a swagger to us. I am VERY hopeful this Dream Team class can bring some confidence back and also hopeful that Coach Grantham can get our D level of play back to the Van Gorder ways. I base a big part of my 10-2 prediction on our defense to be honest with you. I think our offense should be able to average over 20 points a game. I am banking on our D being able to hold teams under 20 a game. I am worried a bit about the OL and having another WR step up, but I personally like our running back situation. I think Caleb, Isiaiah, and Ken can get the job done-I honestly do. I really like the QB we have and if another WR will step up, between TKing and Orson Charles, we will have a good passing game threat. We have the best kicking tandem in the nation, you can't forget about that and how important that aspect of the game is. So, what do you all think. Feel free to give me your take on the season if you so wish.
Also, if any of you have any suggestions for places to see in SOCAL, let me know. I leave on Friday and will return a week from today. 3 baseball games in 3 days, but also a lot of time to sightsee. A high school buddy and I are going and he will be driving. Last time I was out there, I think in like '97 or '98, I was with my wife and I was driving-I was a nervous wreck and didn't get to see all the sights I wanted. This time I will be the true tourist, taking pictures, looking at everything. Get to see Dodger Stadium, Petco Park (Braves-Padres) and then Angel Stadium. As a BIG baseball guy myself, this is a dream trip because I have always wanted to go to Dodger Stadium-as a big Brave fan, I can remember all the HUGE games played there in the early to mid 90's before the Braves were moved to the NL east.
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