Georgia Bulldogs Football: 10 Things To Know About Georgia Tech

Look, what the cat dragged in...it's officially "Hate Week" in Georgia as the Bulldogs get set to take on Georgia Tech this weekend.

This game is about bragging rights, and both sides are already in top form as the vitriol has started to spew on both Twitter and in the blogosphere. That said, no allegiances will be stated here—we can leave that for the comment section.

As always, this is an unbiased look at the Yellow Jackets and what Georgia Bulldog fans can expect from the Ramblin' Wreck come Saturday:

1. The loss of Josh Nesbitt is big, but not a game changer.

Josh Nesbitt won't be available to play in the game, but Tevin Washington has proven to be very effective as a rusher in the last two contests, and he's becoming more comfortable running Paul Johnson's offense.

If he can get it going in Athens, he could be one of the biggest factors on Saturday.

2. Anthony Allen has gotten better.

Last season, Allen flashed moments of brilliance, but it was clear that both Jonathan Dwyer and Josh Nesbitt were the keys to the Georgia Tech success. This season, Allen has become a solid option in Tech's offense—logging four 100+ yard rushing games this season.

3. They eat a lot of clock. 

As was the case last season, Tech consumes a lot of time off the clock when they are allowed to run their offense efficiently.

If Georgia expects to give their offense a chance, and limit the defense's time on the field, they will need to force the Jackets into third-and-long situations. To date, Tech completes less than 30 percent of passes thrown on third downs of more than seven yards.

4. The offensive line is still finding its legs. 

While Nesbitt covered up some of the deficiencies of Georgia Tech's offensive line, Tevin Washington's presence has made them a bit easier to spot. So far, in the month of November, the Jackets have given up seven sacks for a loss of 28-yards.

By contrast, during the months of August through October, that same line yielded eight sacks for 43-yards.

It's obvious that the youth on the line is beginning to show a few more chinks as the season wears on, and the team breaks in a new quarterback—Georgia would be wise to take advantage of that.

5. They don't have a game breaker in their return game. 

While B.J. Bostic is a respectable kick return man, he's not the type of guy you're likely to be scared of during kickoffs—neither is Jerrard Tarrant in the punt return game. So, it's clear that Tech is content to do most of their damage, via the running game, during play execution.

Georgia needs to concentrate on giving the Jackets a long field. Don't give up any big chunks in the return game as that would only shorten the field for an already dangerous rushing attack.

6. This series has been a lot closer under Paul Johnson. 

Georgia fans hold tightly to that seven game winning streak they exacted over Tech upon coach Richt's initial arrival, but all that has changed under Paul Johnson.

In two match-ups, with Johnson at the helm, Tech is 1-1, and the largest margin of victory for Georgia is six points. This game is much more even now than it was before, and Georgia fans should not take that point for granted—especially this season.

7. They are suspect against the run. 

For all the worry the option offense will give the defense, the offense should feel like they have a shot to make up some ground. Washaun Ealey and Caleb King ran all over and through Tech's defense last season and, although they sport a new scheme under Al Groh, they haven't fared much better in 2010.

So far, they are giving up better than 5.50 yards per carry in the month of November.

If Murray and company can exploit that number, they won't have much trouble executing their offense either.

8. Tech is bowl eligible but they have something else to play for in this game...

If Tech wins, they could keep Georgia out of a bowl game for the first time in 14 years—which, coincidentally, is also the last time neither of these two teams was ranked entering this game.

9. They are still looking for a playmaker on defense.

The loss of both Morgan Burnett and Derrick Morgan has been tough to overcome. While Brad Jefferson has performed well, and both Jerrard Terrant and Domonique Reece have offered some good play in the secondary, Tech has lacked that one guy who can take over the game defensively and rally the team.

Perhaps, much like Georgia, this factor has more to do with personnel still struggling to perform well in a new scheme. Whatever the case, the defense hasn't been nearly as tough as it was last season.

10. They are prone to fumbles.

Tech has lost 14 of their 29 fumbles this season—116th in the nation.

That said, Georgia ranks 70th in opponent fumble recoveries. If they can increase that percentage for this one game, they could significantly improve that ranking.


*Stats appearing in this article are courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Mark Bradley Is Making People Angry Again—Why, Mark, Why?

Mark Bradley, one of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution's most trusted writers, has once again laid forth another brilliant article. As usual, it's not flattering of the Georgia Bulldogs and I don't know that I can agree with 50 percent of what he has to say regarding them or any of the other teams he dares to mention. 

Here are some of it's moset head-scratching assertions and, of course, my vain attempt to rip them to shreds:

Georgia will go 9-3 but will finish third in the SEC East. Todd Grantham represents an upgrade. Given time, Aaron Murray will represent an upgrade. Thing is, the Bulldogs’ second game is in Columbia, and that seems a bridge too far. (More precisely, a bridge too soon.) The guess is that Georgia will be rolling come November, but that Sept. 11 loss — and one the next week against Arkansas in Athens — will keep the Bulldogs from a true breakthrough.

Losses to both Arkansas and South Carolina? Under coach Richt, Georgia is 12-2 against Arkansas and South Carolina combined. Explain how they will lose to a South Carolina team that 1) has no idea who it will play at quarterback and 2) hasn't had a viable running game since....well, since...I can't even remember. I can agree that the game will be close, that's the way this game has been played since coach Richt's arrival in  2001 but, Columbia or not, I cannot see the Gamecocks just outright beating Georgia.

As for Arkansas, last time I checked, Ryan Mallett was gimpy and the matchup against Georgia will be his first true test of the season (no disrespect to Tennessee Tech and Louisiana-Monroe, but, seriously?). He was 0-4 on the road against the SEC last season—is he going to be monumentally better than that in 2010? And what will the defense be like? There are some holes to fill in their secondary and there is no guarantee that the new offensive coordinator will be as good under Garrick McGee as it was under the, now departed, Paul Petrino.

My guess is this, if Georgia loses to either Arkansas or South Carolina, it won't be a huge surprise but, no way in heck they lose to both—that I don't see.

Even more, if they go 9-3 and South Carolina goes 9-3, what game is the tie-breaker? If Georgia beats Florida, wouldn't Georgia win the East? After all, according to Mark's article:

Florida will go 11-1 because of a remarkably kind schedule. The Gators play four road games: Two against teams (Tennessee and Florida State) with new coaches and one against Vanderbilt. The Gators will lose in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 2, but they’ll see Alabama again.

There is a lot of love for Florida, as usual, despite the loss of 1) Tim Tebow, 2) Charlie Strong, 3) six offensive starters, and 4) six defensive starters (including both defensive ends).  Florida may return one of the stronger offensive lines in the country, but, what difference will that make if they can't stop anybody? Even more, John Brantley may be the man that everyone says he is, but he hasn't been tested on the road or in the SEC, so, how about a little more realism?

Florida has scheduled it's buffet of cupcakes, as per normal, but the SEC is still a tough place to play and without Tebow, no one is all that scared of Florida anymore.

Tim Tebow will win the Heisman Trophy. Whoops. Force of habit. Case Keenum — Houston QB — will win the Heisman Trophy.

Case Keenum is an outstanding quarterback but his team plays a cupcake schedule in a non-BCS conference. I don't care what he does this season, he won't win the Heisman.

The ACC Coastal will be the nation’s toughest division. There’s not a great team therein, but there are four good ones. Miami will be the disappointment. North Carolina will be the surprise. Virginia Tech will win the division. And Georgia Tech …

It will be the toughest division yet it doesn't have "a great team therein..."? That just seems foolish to say. Aside from that, the most balanced team in that division is Virginia Tech. Miami needs to find a running game, North Carolina needs a passing game, and Georgia Tech just lost their 2nd best offensive weapon to the NFL. I don't see the ACC Coastal being the toughest division, that distinction could belong to the Pac-10 this season.

Georgia will beat Georgia Tech. A.J. Green will catch the winning touchdown pass from Murray with 41 seconds remaining. The score will be 27-24. Paul Johnson will suppress the urge to punch somebody in the face.

Georgia will, essentially, have the same offensive personnel and will be playing this game at Sanford. If its close enough that Georgia will need game-winning heroics from A.J., then I'm setting my "SEC homer" card on fire. Georgia will have a week to prepare for this game and I more than expect the 3-4 to be in full swing by this time. I don't see it being close at all—Tech won't get to 24 points. Yes, I said it.

Well, I could pick on Mark some more, but, it's not necessary. Go read the article and have at it yourself.

Back later today with a little more.