So after a week off to ponder the what if's, or maybe the why or how the 35-7 loss to SCarolina happened, we finally have that next game to look forward to. By the time the Dogs get a good sweat worked up Sat night in Lexington, they will truly know if they have a very legit shot to get back to Atlanta this year, as the Gators and Gamecocks play Saturday at 3:30 in Gainesville, Fla. SCarolina came back down to earth last week in Baton Rouge, losing 23-21 to LSU. Now, normally that would be considered SCarolina playing a very good game and just coming up short, but this year, with how good SCarolina looked against UGA and how bad LSU has played recently, that to me is a game that SCarolina probably wishes they could have back. Here is the deal though, for all those folks that were raving about SCarolina's play against UGA, it is funny to hear those same people failing to mention a big key to the events of the past two weeks-playing on the road in the SEC, against good competition is BRUTAL. It is tough to win on the road in the SEC, thus all those people thinking SCarolina was a real national player this year, you only need to look to a couple games this year, at Vandy and at LSU, heck even their game at UK where they trailed 17-7 at the half to see, SCarolina is a MUCH MUCH better team at home than on the road. Same goes for UF, they struggled at Texas A&M and also struggled at UT and even at Vandy last week, but they have played well at the Swamp. This brings us to the games that matter this week in the SECe. First is our game, plain and simple, our team SHOULD be very mad and ready to play this week against a beat up and less talented UK team. Even with this game on the road, it is easy to see why UGA is a 28 point favorite I truly expect us to win by at least 28 points. This is a game that is on the schedule falling at a time where our team needs to get their confidence back. Typically, games at night in Lexington have been tough for the Dogs, but this year is different. As I mentioned before, by the time the first quarter is over, you can beat the announcer or the scoreboard in Lexington will let the Dogs know the outcome of the UF/SC game. I expect that if our players know that UF won, that will charge their batteries even more than before, and the game could get VERY UGLY by the half. Even if SC wins, I still see us winning this game in big fashion. Back to the game in the Swamp, SCarolina has played UGA, LSU and now UF, back to back to back, and you see the impact it has had on them-Lattimore is doubful with injuries, several other players are doubtful to out for the game, meanwhile UF is getting back a handful of key players for this game. SCarolina without Lattimore is a very stagnant offense. Connor Shaw looked like a world beater, like Joe Montanna against us, but that was because our defense was so concerned about stopping Lattimore, they didn't take him seriously. If they don't have Latt to hand the ball to, Connor Shaw is very similar to Joe Cox, except he CAN actually run while Joe couldn't. But, Connor trying to run against a defense like UF's, he is risking a serious injury. UF is NOT in my opinion a great offense team. The most points they have scored on the year was against UT up in Knoxville, 37. In case you haven't noticed, UT gives up a fair amount of points to every team they play. They scored 31 against Vandy, one TD came on a fake punt. 24 against Bowling Green, 20 against A&M, 14 to LSU, ok here you go, 38 against Kentucky!! They are a solid team but I don't see them being an explosive offense against a solid SCarolina D. But, UF has a VERY good defense, most points they have given up this year is 20 against UT-which has a pretty solid offense. 17 to A&M and Vandy, 6 to LSU, 14 to Bowling Green and zero against UK. This game matches two solid defenses against two average offenses in my opinion. But, you take away SCarolina's best offensive playmaker and there is no doubt who should win the game at home. A win by the Gators, UGA taking care of its business in Lexington, next week becomes the SECe play in game for a shot at Bama more than likely. SEC games left for UGA after this week-Ole Miss and @Auburn. Either of those teams COULD beat UGA but you have to like our odds. SCarolina's remaining SEC schedule-home games against UT and Arkansas. UF will only have one SEC game left after us, at home against Missouri.
The 2013 SEC schedules were released yestereday-UGA will be tested EARLY and often next year. I do like the fact that regardless of if Murray comes back for his SR year, we will have an experienced OL and solid RB's next year. Ball control offense will be a big factor in our early success with a lot of new faces on the defense. The game at Clemson starts it off-and against a high powered offense like they have, it will be very important that we control the ball and keep our defense fresh. South Carolina is back to week 2, let's hope we avoid the usual suspensions for next year. North Texas is a good lead in for LSU, then the two Tennessee trips are split up with a home date with Missouri. I like the open date before UF, also like the Appy State between UF and AU-and we play AT Auburn two years in a row which is very odd. Getting UK at home before GT is also good. Like I say, the first 4-5 games of next year, we will know if we are a contender or pretender.
2013 Georgia Football Schedule
August 31 - at Clemson
September 7 - vs. South Carolina
September 14 - Open
September 21 - vs. North Texas
September 28 - vs. LSU
October 5 - at Tennessee
October 12 - vs. Missouri
October 19 - at Vanderbilt
October 26 - Open
November 2 - vs. Florida (Jacksonville)
November 9 vs. Appalachian State
November 16 - at Auburn
November 23 - vs. Kentucky
November 30 - at Georgia Tech
Finally as usual, an update on the Grayson 8 year olds. We LOST badly last week to Peachtree Ridge, not the way you want to close out the regular season and head into the playoffs. That being said, the playoffs are here and now it really doesn't matter what happened in the regular season as it is one game at a time, lose and go home. Ridge beat us last week 19-0 in a game that was really dominated by former UGA and Dallas cowboy star, Randall Godfrey's son. The kid was just all over the field, making tackles, running the ball, he certainly has a lot of talent for an 8 year old boy. He is probably the fastest kid for that age that I have seen. One play, (keep in mind we play on an 80 yard field), he took a handoff, cut into a hole in the middle of our DL, then split three defenders and raced 72 yards for a TD. Once he broke through the LB's, he just left our boys in his dust-and we have some FAST little guys but he got moving and just pulled away. He scored two TD's on the day for Ridge. The other TD was the first score of the game, we tried to throw a screen and our QB didn't get his feet set, also we had two boys lined up outside and the lined up incorrectly, the boy blocking was supposed to be in front of the boy catching the pass so he could hit the corner and spring the play. Well, the boy that was supposed to catch it lined up in front, the corner for Ridge jumped in front and when the pass sailed out there, EASY pick 6 and the early 6-0 lead. Our team does NOT handle being behind, our boys are so used to being in front they panic and there you go.
Anyway, our playoffs start Saturday against Mountain View-a team that we have never faced before, they are like us, 6-2 on the regular season. They are a very well coached, disciplined team but they don't have a ton of speed. If, an this is a big IF when talking about 8 year old boys, our team will just do their jobs this week, on offense and defense, we will win this game by two TD's. I will predict a final score of 19-6. IF we win this week, we are the #8 seed, waiting for us next week would be the #1 seed Dacula who finished 8-0 and just dominated every team they faced-the Alabama of the GFL if you will. We will worry about them after we beat Mtn View but needless to say, that will be a very BIG challenge.
All for now, hope you all have a great weekend. Go Dogs and Rams!
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